Head's Up - Incredible Story

[dgs49]

"60 Minutes" recently re-broadcast a story about a Detroit troubadour named "Sixto Rodriguez," whose music died quickly and quietly in the U.S. in the early 70's, but was, unknown to him, percolating in South Africa - of all places - among the youth of that country as they went through the painful process of ushering apartheid onto the ash-heap of history. His lyrics have the sort of ambiguous, semi-profound tone that can mean whatever you wish it to mean, and its anti-establishment flavor struck a chord with the youth of S.A. during the 70's and 80's.

Ultimately, he became the "Bob Dylan" of South Africa. But knew nothing about it.

The story of how a couple of South Africans searched for years to find biographical information about Rodriquez (they "knew" he was dead, but didn't know anything else), ultimately located him, and brought him to South Africa to enjoy his fame and cult status, is told in a documentary called something like "Looking for Sugar Man." The story is both incredible and heartwarming, and Rodriquez himself is an incredible character. He has basically given away the money he has made recently, he holds no bitterness about the royalties he was cheated out of, and he continues to support himself as an impoverished day-laborer in Detroit. Yes, THAT Detroit. He has made 4-5 return trips to S.A., playing to sold-out venues in all cases, and returning to his other life in Detroit when it's over.

Without needlessly casting aspersions, Rodriquez comes across as someone who is perpetually under the influence of MJ. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Check it out.

[Daisy]

I saw him at Glastonbury

[Sean]

Was that the guy who looked like Yoko Ono's grandad Dais?

[Daisy]

That's the one. We didn't see his main performance on The Park Stage. We caught the end of his unannounced set in the acoustic tent. He was good.