www.bbc.co.uk/5... Fridays at 2pm on BBC 5 live. Mark Kermode reviews Searching for Sugar Man, a documentary about the mysterious '70s musician know as Rodriguez.
I am a South African and Rodriguez was definitely my favourite artist in the 1970's and the 1980's. I presumed that the whole world listened to his music at the same time I was listening to him. I left South Africa in 1980 and crossed the border into Swaziland to fight against Apartheid. He changed my world.
I fought *for* apartheid, because I did not wanted this country wide ANC corruption, farm murders, political murders, and complete economical meltdown. And I listen to his records and saw him perform in South Africa at the end of the 90's.
I am amongst the people who'd never heard of Sixto Rodriguez. A friend lent me Searching For Sugarman, an absolutely amazing story and wonderfully made doc. I have since purchased Rodriguez's albums and now have to consider him amongst my favourite artists. In a further sad twist in the story, the film's maker, Malik Bendjelloul has since taken his own life. He was working on another film. Very, very sad.
I’ve watched “searching for sugar men” at least 20 times. Not only the story is extremely well documented/told, in the filmic sense. It is also a fascinating! Almost surreal. Not to mention the music. OMG! The music! Is fantastic!!
The truth about Rodriguez is that he wasn't big in South Africa - he was ABSOLUTELY MASSIVE!!!! Being from that era(and SA) myself none of us listened to that album but some or other "message". It was ONLY because it was EXTREMELY GOOD music!
I liked the documentary a lot but I was surprised at how damn good Rodriguez albums are ! The guy is an amazing songwriter and singer . I didn't expect to discover an artist I'd listen to afterward but I sure did. I'm a Rodriguez fan for life! His material is the real deal and it stands with anything that came out during that great era for rock music
They call it that because it has all of the common traits of that music. In a way all music that doesn't sound totally different is a pastiche of the era it exists in. I get that it sounds bad, but that is just the way it appears out of the context of it's time
It's 2023 and I finally got around to watching this documentary. Absolutely brilliant. As a South African who grew up in the 80's I still know more than one of his songs by heart. That's how popular he was. "Sound track of my youth" level popular. Incredible story. So glad I watched this.
Rodríguez was known in Australia as well. We had a compilation album of his in our home. My teenage years & early twenties were spent listening to this GREAT album. I distinctly remember my sister telling me he had died of a drug overdose. This man’s songs are incredible.
Yes I’m an Aussie too and he was a part of most peoples record collection in 70s and 80s. I think his music just clicked with the people of that era. Got to see him live about 5 years ago in Melbourne. Sounded just as good.
Well reviewed, and you avoided the spoilers. It was brilliant and I am clueless as to how this artist was not bigger then he was they are great songs, it days a lot about how more luck then talent is needed to break through. I am sure there are lot more real talents that never seen a publishing deal..
Excellent review and you got it right Mark. I went to see it only knowing it had strong South African connections and was completely blown away not only by the film but also by the soundtrack - one which had been the soundtrack to my teenage years and which I was still singing to myself in 2012. And so I was immensely saddened by the death of Malik Bendjelloul who brought this beautifully crafted film, the story of Rodriguez and his music back into the world.
The documentary is a classic case of don't let the truth get in the way of a good story. He was always very popular in Australia, where he is a household name. He had sold out tours through the 70's and 80's and toured once in the late 90's. The fact that they actually state that he never made any money or had any success is just pure fantasy. Maybe make a documentary on the UK but don't mention the fact that its an island.
Growing up in South Africa, his album Cold Fact was played at all the parties and braais in my teen years. Was also told he'd committed suicide back then. My brother played drums for him on dome of his shows in Europe, UK and South Africa. My brother got him to sign my vinyl LP of Cold Fact at a rehearsal. I cherish that album. We lost a great music legend.
From what I understand is that Sixto was once invited to Australia as a guest performer in 1980 and he said he was never invited back. His records must have been poupular undegeound in Australia because I dont belive he was making any money from royalties and he came back to the USA a forgotten artist and went back to doing menial jobs, even if that would have been in the film it would still be an amazing story becauese Sixto had no idea he was bigger that Elvis in South Africa.
He was bigger than Elvis for the youngster. But older people preferred Elvis. H is still hero, and I saw him perform in Cape Town. We never saw him as anti-apartheid. We saw him as anti-establishment.
@@wilcoxwilcox3272 , I fought for the South African Defense Force in Northern Namibia and Southern Angola (with Ovambo soldiers as troops) in 1981 and 1982. Like yourself, I believed I fought for the good side. But I listened to Rodriquez, never saw him as anti Apartheid. But I did saw his performance when he came and performed in Strand town-hall, my home town.
@@wilcoxwilcox3272 you keep mentioning that but you can’t show evidence. Did you actually fight against Apartheid physically and take on the SADF BOSS SAP etc or did you just leave because you didn’t want to do national Service and it’s convenient to now say you fought against it when in fact you didn’t. Most of those who Left never actually fought against it; all they did was go into exile and even those who fought against it didn’t take on the SADF or SAP they just committed acts of violence against civilian targets. I know this as I missed being killed by a limpet mine place in a civilian car park in Durban. MK was too scared to fight face to face with with security forces so they attacked civilians. Cowardly.
Saw this earlier tonight. Have been loving Rodriguez since his albums were reissued on Light In The Attic in 2009 - loved the documentary just as much.
Grew up with Rodriquez in South Africa...also known as the star who set himself on fire on stage. Heard this story when I was about 10 years old. In highschool we would listen to his albums at parties. This story is exactly how we experienced Rodriquez in the 80s.
Great doco. He was quite popular in Australia too. I grew up with my parents playing the cold fact album, I’m surprised he wasn’t popular in the U.S. Amazing music
As a South African, hearing his music for the first time, it was mind blowing. What we watched or listened to, was censored. I heard it on a radio station that was edgy and anti establishment , as a teenager it moved me and made me think. Priceless.
Rodriguez toured Australia in 1979, where a live album was made, he was quite popular here, my first girlfriend and I where hooked on his music/poetry.
Love Al Murray, seen him as The Pub Landlord many times. Next time, a small show in a local theatre in October, if he does a Q and A session like before, I might have to remind him of one of his skits from the past few years, the 'London Olympics - it's gonna be a bit shit - isn't it?'
