Searching for Sugar Man singer Rodriguez dies, aged 81

Rodriguez, the singer -songwriter whose unlikely career was featured in the 2012 Oscar -winning documentary Searching for Sugar Man , has died aged 81. The musician’s death was announced on his official website on Tuesday (8 August). ‘It is with great sadness that we at Sugarman.org announce that Sixto Diaz Rodriguez has passed away earlier today,’ the official statement read. ‘We extend our most heartfelt condolences to his daughters – Sandra, Eva and Regan – and to all his family. Rodriguez was 81 years old. May His Dear Soul Rest In Peace.’ The singer was born Sixto Diaz Rodriguez in Detroit, Michigan, in 1942. His music career initially found little success in the United States, with his first two albums, released in the 1970s, struggling to make many sales. However, unbeknownst to him, he gained a considerable following in countries including New Zealand, South Africa and Australia. It wasn’t until decades later that Rodriguez came to discover his extreme popularity, particularly in South Africa. There, his fame is believed to have been equivalent to that of Elvis Presley or The Rolling Stones, according to The Washington Post . His eventual revival later became the subject of 2012 documentary, Searching for Sugar Man , which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival.