Rodriguez had no success in America, but in Africa he was huge, and he didn't even know it. When he found out, he went on tour in Africa and this was the reaction of the public. This movie is cut from "Searching for sugarman".
So many incredible aspects to this story but the fact that Sixto didn't become bitter or turn to a destructive lifestyle when he didn't get the fame he so deserved is a deep lesson for everyone.
Probably the finest comment Ive ever heard about another human in my life. I watched "Searching for Sugar Man" and was floored by this man's story. RIP Sixto Rodriguez
I think he was referring to keeping him, the musician, alive(?). Rodriguez is a Hispanic American and he was almost completely obscure in America; nobody knows his name and nobody knows his music but in SA (and I believe, to a much lesser extent, in Australia and NZ too?) he has been an absolute cult hero since the late 60's.
Even now, after all this time, that concert remains with me. The crowd went crazy, it was such a privilege to see him live. Yes, you are right, he is an absolute hero to those of us that grew up with his music, not least because us "white" people opposed apartheid, and his music was partly a symbol of that opposition.
Jeoka Gem , we knew about him in Australia long before the South Africans got the first copy of Cold fact but there is no doubting the greater significance and impact his music had in SA. Oh yeah, your Rugby team sux......
Noel Oakes - I believe you are correct bud; I read about this a long time ago but, if I'm not mistaken, the first album was bought in New York by a Kiwi and it made it's way to Oz soon after(?) ... but I'm not sure about the exact sequence any more (it's been a while since I read that article). Well, if you're referring to our recent record (since the Black government took over) think about this: no team can survive too long against another international team with essentially 13 men on the field; sh*t like the affirmative action quota, which is imposed by the SA government on the Springboks, would hamstring ANY team, in ANY sport(?). AND... despite all that, AND being absent from the WC for almost half of it's existence, we are second ONLY to the Kiwi's! What do you say about that? Not to mention, that ON YOUR OWN SOIL, the Wallabies, who couldn't even beat the Boks without a crooked, now banned and disgraced for the rest of his life, Kiwi referee!!?? I wouldn't talk about "SUX" if I were you, dude; just enjoy the game and stop flinging sh*t coz you inevitably get some on you too!? Cheers! ;-))
Glen Campbell died August 8, 2017. Two greats... RIP...I just realized they were both 81 years old when they passed. Sixto's musical path may have been very different if Glen or somebody had put Rodriguez on their TV show. Glen Campbell loved working with other talent but then the world probably wouldn't have had the Sugarman Story. What a life!
My heart has just broken! I heard the rumours he was dead when I was a teenager; I was elated when they "found him"; I was there when he walked out onto that stage in Johannesburg! His music inspired me so much, as did his message! Rest In Power Sixto Rodriguez
Wow!! We had him as kids in Detroit and never knew. My Mom was a fantastic undiscovered songwriter. Very creative. Relatives asked at her funeral why nobody thought to connect her with Motown...no clue. We were right there! I'm just glad you guys got Sixto. He is amazing. What a legacy.
He opens the show with an amazing phrase. After all that talking about him being dead committing suicide and after almost 30 years of silence he says: "Thanks for keeping me alive". I can't imagine a better opening, it shows all the gratitude, respect and joy of such a human being facing others happy and cheerfull human beings, all said with a bit of irony and double sense that makes the situation less serious and tragic. What a genious and what a lovely person he is!
@@peach495 - "documentary" He'd been massive in Australia for years before this. They played it all down for the movie. People were aware, South African fans had made the trip to see him on Australia/New Zealand tours.
I WAS THERE! One of the BIGGEST moments of my life! Grew up Rodriguez as an 'underground' singer that EVERYBODY loved (young-klan, grannies, pareent etc name it, all singing along. We used to belt out his songs too in protest when we were too young & wise to understand the difference. I didn't know that he didn't know he was our hero... I just thought he was one of the ultimate songwriters that changed my life & I would never ever ever even imagine that he could be on a stage in front of me! What a ride... here's to words & the ancient tunes that comes to us from other shores reminding us of some home somewhere and makes us forget that we are all going through some sort of displacement on this earth
Huda Fukfartd not forgetting that he'd played in Australia a few years before, which would pretty much make the "story" of the documentary 70% untruths.
When I saw the movie, this was the best part. No one believed he was alive, and even when they saw him on the scene, nobody was sure ... but he began to sing ... and the magic appeared and the certainty that it was him. Awesome and incredible story. Greetings from Mexico.
As a kid growing up in South Africa the 70's there were many bands/performers that i thought i'd never get to see but i eventually i did. Queen, Rod Stewart, U2, The Rolling Stones (stones was a life dream) but when Rodriquez walked out on stage i cried. And watching this video still makes me cry. He changed the way so many of us thought. He gave us a voice and the oppression in our country and i will be forever grateful to him for that. Viva Rodriquez, Viva.
@@craigbritz1684 Apparently you don't know the story. Rodriuez released the LP in 1970 & was promptly ignored here in the U.S. but became a national anthem for those fighting apartheid in S. A. He was more popular than Elvis there and everyone thought he was dead.
Its true he was very popular and everyone, including myself thought that he had committed suicide but his music was never an anthem for those fighting apartheid.@@peach495
I WAS AT THIS CONCERT!! We had heard so many stories for so many years about how he had killed himself, that I think half the crowd wasn't sure if it was REALLY him or not !! GREATEST MOMENT OF OUR LIVES WHEN HE WALKED OUT - as you can see from the video!
It’s the most magical story I’ve ever heard. I’m so in love with this man! Omg. Just discovered him today. I took a cab on my way to my guitar lesson across town in Taipei, Taiwan. A 30 minute cab ride. The cab driver said: “listen to this!” I was blown away. He showed me on his phone the soundtrack to Searching for Sugar Man. I watched it a few hours ago. I’m just blown away and can’t stop listening to him. I think he is a living prophet- and his mission was to free SA from apartheid. He really is their savior.
I'm from the United States and didn't know about Rodriguez until a couple weeks ago. It's amazing how Rodriguez was bigger than Elvis in South Africa, but went unrecognized in the United States! I'm glad my English class was tasked with writing an essay on Sixto; otherwise, I would have never discovered this lyrical legend!
I saw him 3 times in Australia, just so incredibly wonderful and a completely humble guy. He was blown away that people remembered every single word of his songs ❤️
I'm an American but I wish I was at this concert, just for the energy. Imagine after all those years having Rodriguez come to your country and play this show.
I recall being in South Africa on business in the mid 80's and someone tried to tell me Rodriguez was as big and popular as any artist: even the Stones or Beatles. I thought they were crazy until I saw Searching for Sugarman. Fantastic.
I saw him in Denmark and all my childhood memories of growing up in South Africa, with his music as my life´s inspiration, but believing that he was dead. I cried from the moment he walked onto the stage - it ws pure magic to see him
I watched a Movie about Sugar Man in 2012. I was impressed by the incredible story of a unique person. After that, I watched this movie several more times and listened to the singer's music. I must say that thanks to the film, I got to know South Africa better. South Africa has been through different times. A very beautiful country. I dream of visiting Cape Town. I'm from Russia. With best wishes. :-)
He was the soundtrack of my youth. I was at this concert and as that well known, (to South Africans) slippery bass line started the whole audience levitated to their feet and didn't sit down again until the end of the show. It was indescribable!
I first heard his songs when I lived in Johannesburg in 1976 whilst working out of Mauritius. Played them over and over again as I thought they were magical. Then years later when flying on a long haul came across the movie which just made my year that did. Never forget Sixto.
Such a moving story. I saw him with a South African mate of mine in Bristol's Colston Hall a few years back; he was helped onto stage by his daughters - I suspect a life of hard labour has taken its toll - but when he opened his mouth and sang he sounded exactly as he does on record. His recognition and success is so deserved, and I hope he enjoys it for many years to come.
This is a moment I'll cherish for the rest of my life. Watch the moment when he start's singing and they recognise his unique voice ...perhaps the greatest reunion of all time!
I was fortunate enough to attend a small and intimate concert in Sydney, Australia in 1981. Rodriguez was unforgettable.....a sublime poet whose lyrics are timeless. I love him and his art.♥️🎶✊🏽
It’s just one of those universal coincidences that makes it seem like someone out there is pulling all the strings making it happen. It can’t just be chance
Russell Humble Yes he was. Kinda ignored in the movie (hey...that’s creative licence) but I remember seeing him in a sellout tour in Australia in 1979.
@@richardhoulton4016 how were they supposed to bring Australia into the movie? Nobody there thought to go and seek him out, so they were not part of the history of informing Rodrigues of his own fame.
Sure, but the movie sort of portrayed him as a guy who, because he’d not rated in the USA was “unaware” of his fame elsewhere whereas he’d done a couple of sellout tours in the 70s/80s and had had Cold Fact in the Aus Album Charts for 55 weeks in 1978. So there was a degree of “licence” applied to the movie. Still a great movie.
@Richard Houlton There was no "license" applied. The documentary was not a biography. It was about two guys trying to track him down, not about his much earlier success in Australia up until 1981, which was 17 years earlier. He was already popular in SA by 1975. I had both his albums by 1976.
This is simply extraordinary. I’ve never seen the like of it. He was extremely popular in Australia, too. How I wish that I’d had the opportunity to see him perform live in concert.
Look at the faces in the crowd. I don't think very many of them were alive in the early 70s. Just shows the amazing influence he had in that country. Thank you South Africa ❤️
I'm a white South African now in my 60's and this brings tears to my eyes. We love this guy. I had no idea about politics and race when I was a kid. If I disrespected anyone I just got a smack - and that was good! I didn't see his music as political or things that people see in his music these days. It just had deep soul and deep honesty and that is what really moved us and why we love him...
I live just up the road from this venue - When he came 'home' in 1998 it was like a hero's welcome. As a South African I was just so glad that the world could also experience this master genius. He was right up there with The Beatles & co....Rodriguez however remains the most talented of the lot - I have listened to Cold Fact over 1000 times over past 40 years. Thank you Rodriguez for liberating your people!
Tony, I am a 54 yr young American. I saw the Doc. "Searching 4 Sugarman" just after it came out. IT BLEW MY MIND !! I Have since then Watched it Numerous ×'s and explored ALL his music. He is WITHOUT QUESTION a GENIUS of many Talents !! So Powerful are the Lyrics - It's a Pleasurable Mind-Fuck !!! I am Thankful to Have *All this Awesome - Heartfelt AFFECTION for ALL RODRIGUEZ has given Me (with all he has done "at 1st w/O knowing") I will Listen for Ever On !!!!
As a teenager in the 70's we listened to him more than just about anyone else. i think they even mention in teh movie that he outsold the Beatles here didn't they? I didn't know anyone my age that didn't have Cold Fact.
From a Glastonbury vet, it would top any other act I've ever seen there if Sixto Rodriguez was having "I Wonder" sang back to him from the crowd on the main stage. I only watched the documentary recently, and now I'm hooked, just got goose bumps all over again watching the reaction of the fans who'd always loved him, watching him singing, after they'd all been told (you know what, I won't spoil it) What a fella. And thanks for the music.
Many great memories of his brilliant songs. My fellow Australians loved him too. Everyone in my circle of friends knew his music. Near tearing up watching this, longing that simpler better time...
Did you see him at the festival in upper hunter in 81,he flew in in a hellicopper and played with his guartar and I think we were all expecting him to be louder and bigger as he was so humble and quite for such a big festival, I have been listening since before then I had his music since I was 17 and that was 76 .
My sister-in-law is from Buenos Aires and tells me Rodriguez had quite a following in Argentina as well. It seems his music appeals particularly to those living under oppressive regimes.
I met Rodriguez's daughter a lovely lady livimg in the town of George Western Cape. She actually was in the US Airforce and a Black Hawk helicoptet pilot - then when she was here in SA she studied to be a Samgoma in the Eastern Cape
Watching Searching for Sugarman now, (2019). His sound is like Dylan meets Cohen, two of my huge early influences. Can't help but feel cheated out of a legend, out of an important soundtrack to my early life. You in S Africa were very fortunate to have known him so. I wish I had. But at least I'm listening now.
Lovely to see the love and acceptance Rodriquez and the people of Africa were able to create and deeply bond over. This is the power of music. Very moving. RIP Rodriquez.
Another amazing musician with a message, why he never made it in the states when he first appeared I will never know, Africa Embraced him. And Australia has embraced him. His recent concert in Adelaide, Entertainment Center was magical, thank you Rodriguez!!!
One of THE great stories in any lifetime. Forget even the music for a second. The ghost, the mystery man, someone thought long dead, comes out of stage in the lights and begins to play. Incredible story and an incredible life of sheer perseverance ! Just fantastic !
He deserve every minute of his life now when America chucked him out for Bob Dylan. He is a ROCK STAR - the fact I am saying is because I am an American! Thanks for South Africa for keeping him alive..!! I watched many, many times Searching for Sugarman. He is da bomb..!!
This documentary and this true story just makes me weak with happiness and hope. Just imagine Rodriguez, he cast away his dreams of music stardom worked manual labor barely making ends meet and comes back to play this show pushing 60 years old to a fanbase of millions, and an arena of thousands of fans he never knew he had.
I am from New Zealand. I never heard of him growing up. I only heard of him via the Sugarman movie on Netflix. I was blown away. Its amazingly weird to me how he was so loved in South Africa but nowhere else. I find it very emotional seeing the genuine love that he is shown and the humble nature that he gives it back. Quite uniquely beautiful but to me very weird. Never heard another story like it.
I too grew up in NZ. Rodriguez was a big name in the alternative music/underground scene, he was also big in OZ. The reason he never had a wide audience is he sang directly and to-the-point about sex and drugs. This saw him banned from commercial radio stations in the USA, OZ, NZ and many others. I suspect that due to sanctions South Africa had developed a big and varied underground culture covering a wide range of topics and issues, Rodriguez slotted seamlessly into that culture.
Una de las historias mas Increíbles. Dudo que haya éxistido una historia como esta, y un momento como este en la historia de la música. Un cantante desconocido en su país que ea un ídolo de masas en otro sin saberlo y toca por primera vez ante un público que lo ama, que nunca lo han visto y que pensaban miles de teorías sobre el... creo que todos los que escribimos aquí nos hemos emocionado y llorado con este video. Brutal
I had never heard of him until I watched the Netflix documentary. All I can say is WOWWWW what a great story. His music is phenomenal. Kinda sad he never got the recognition he deserved during the time period when he made his albums. I'm glad that the journalist was able 2 find out he was alive n was able 2 go 2 South Africa n play live in concert 4 the people who truly adored him n his music. I highly recommend everyone watch this story. Rodriguez deserves recognition 4 his fantastic work. Rock on Rodriguez!!🎶🎤🎵🎼🎸
Watching this for the first time in the Doc was one of the most joyous moments, certainly musical moments, I can remember. What an incredible, inspiring, story. You never know who you might have touched, or when its going to come back to you.
Thank you, Sixto. For the music, the poetry, and the story. An epitome of greatness. My eyes may cry, but my heart sings in celebration of your legacy. From the Philippines.
After watching the documentry I searched his songs and started listening to them. Never did a pity play. They're incredible, they just are. Sugarman, Institutional blues and cause are my favorite from his songs. Love love love this legend. Thank God he didn't disappear in among the crowds. And South Africa, thank you for keeping him alive 🙏🧡
Sixto, the universe did you wrong, but eventually righted itself in the most incredible and beautiful way. I saw the documentary 'searching for sugarman' without ever knowing about Sixto or his story and was totally blown away by it and by Sixto's tallent and humbleness. I had the absolute pleasure of briefing seeing him at an airport and told him pretty much word for word my first sentence here. RIP Sugerman. ❤
I have loved this man since 1975. It is now 2021. I spent a week on acid, sitting on a beach and listening to his music. It burned into my soul. I have both albums in my car and play them often. I discovered the "Searching For Sugarman" dvd about 5 years ago. What a story! Rodriguez finally getting the recognition and accolades he so rightly deserved. ; finally I watch this clip and it makes me weep...in a good way.
I was there... it was phenomenal. I was 16 and my dad got me front row seats. In almost no time people rushed forward and stood and danced... beautiful
I watch it already 3 times.......and it still moves me to TEARS! So HAPPY for him that he could live to the "recognition" of his talent and art..............
Pansye Gibbs Actually, the record companies would have probably destroyed his music. Him being hidden from us may have been a great thing. Seems to me, South Africa needed him more than we did.
Is this the same man who stole the money from Rodrigues's record sales? How his live would have changed if he received a huge check from South Africa for records sold? He would have known that there are thousands of fans somewhere. His American producer did not only stole Rodriguez's money. He also kept Rodriguez from confidence to write more music. So he stole from all Rodriguez's fans. So he stole from music. www.theguardian.com/music/2014/may/06/rodriguez-lawsuit-missing-royalties-searching-for-sugar-man
@@Deontjie nice conspiracy man, hey while your at it, look up and see if 911 was an inside job and if lance armstrong really went to the moon, instead of neil Armstrong im sure theres some evidence somewhere, someone reportedly told someone that a source had confirmed that and there might be a link
This Man has been Robbed of his Talent, Music and Gift to Others!! It's Not Only Himself who has been Robbed!! The Public and Fans also!! This Man!s Music and Message resonates with each and every one of US!! No Doubt About Us.... I Will Not Slip Away!!! Love You xxx
I know what you're trying to say, but he was not "robbed of his talent". He was just not in the right time at the right place when he originally recorded. Pure luck, unfortunate luck. Glad that he finally got his due!!!
