Sixto Rodriguez, whose song Sugar Man became a huge hit in South Africa, has reportedly died at the age of 81.
Born in 1942 as the sixth child, his daughter confirmed that he died on Tuesday evening.
“We extend our most heartfelt condolences to his daughters – Sandra, Eva and Regan – and to all his family,” reads a post on his official website.
Originally from Detroit, he was the subject of the 2012 award winning documentary Searching For Sugar Man. The documentary saw his career surge with more live performances around the world.
He launched his career in 1967 and became a success outside of his country, especially in South Africa, where he is said to have sold more records than Elvis Presley. His albums, including Cold Fact had no hard facts about who he was or where he was from, making him an enigma.
A group of South Africans went on the Great Rodriguez hunt in the 1990s, searching for the mythical superstar, who was rumoured to have died. Upon discovering him alive, he was a struggling musician who had no clue just how famous he was in South Africa. He was then invited to perform in the country in 1998 where he sold out arenas.
His albums Cold Fact and it’s follow up Coming From Reality was re-issued in 2009.
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