Rodriguez "Searching For Sugarman"

The Sugarman Himself, Rodriguez

Rodriguez began performing in bars and clubs around the city of Detroit in the 1960s where he recorded two studio albums, Cold Fact in 1969 and Coming from Reality in 1971.  His music went unnoticed in the U.S.  – but, unknown to Rodriguez,  not in South Africa, where he had reached over decades legendary folk-rock super star status, inspiring anti-Apartheid activists and musicians alike with his counterculture lyrics

In the late 1990s, South African fans, who had believed Rodriguez had died long before, finally sought him out, leading to the unanticipated renaissance of his music career, as told in the 2012 Oscar award-winning documentary, Searching for Sugarman. The film has been aired multiple times on PBS and public TV worldwide and is available on DVD and streaming TV.  International media attention, awareness and accolades have since been bestowed upon both the documentary - Searching for Sugar Man - and Rodriguez’s music.