Discovering the Story behind Sugar Man

Sugar Man is an iconic song from the 1970s, written and sung by American musician Sixto Rodriguez. Although the song did not achieve commercial success in the United States, it became an anthem for the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa and catapulted Rodriguez to fame in this country.

The story behind Sugar Man is equally fascinating. After releasing two albums that failed to gain commercial success in the United States, Rodriguez retired from music and worked as a construction worker in Detroit. However, in South Africa, his songs became extremely popular, and his music was banned by the apartheid regime due to its political message.

Despite the fact that South Africans adored Rodriguez, for years it was believed that he had died. Legend had it that he had committed suicide on stage after playing a song, but in reality, Rodriguez was still alive and working in Detroit. It was only in the early 1990s that two South African fans tracked down Rodriguez and brought him to South Africa for a series of sold-out concerts.

The 2012 documentary "Searching for Sugar Man" tells the story of how Rodriguez's fans searched for him and finally found him, and how the musician became a legend in South Africa without even knowing it.

The song Sugar Man is a mix of folk, rock, and soul, and is known for its poetic lyrics and catchy melody. Although the song was originally written in 1969, it still sounds fresh and relevant today and is one of the most popular songs of Rodriguez's career.

In summary, the story of Sugar Man and its performer Sixto Rodriguez is a tale of success, political struggle, and urban legends. The song remains an anthem of the fight against oppression, and Rodriguez is a music icon who won the heart of a country without even knowing it.