Rodriguez

I first heard of Rodriguez through social media back in 2010. He was a great find, a folk-rock musician from Detroit whose 1970 album "Cold Facts" spoke true both melodically and lyrically to my counter-culture student mind.

I felt he was on par with the legendary Bob Dylan both in terms of his song writing ability and what he spoke for, however I was left astounded when I couldn't find anyone else who had heard of Rodriguez, let alone someone who had taken the time to listen to the singer-songwriter. Even amongst my friends who were involved in the music industry whenever I would mention Rodriguez as a recommended listen, I was given replies of "who the heck is that?". I would stick on Rodriguez's "Sugar Man" and they were happy to be introduced to this man's music.

More than four years on, Rodriguez now seems to be gaining the recognition he has deserved for the past forty. This is largely due to the Oscar winning success of the film "Searching for Sugar Man". The 2012 documentary film that follows two fans in the search for a man who, unknown to Rodriguez himself, was a celebrated and renowned counter-culture artist in apartheid South Africa.

Never acclaimed in the USA or Europe for his early 70's albums, and perhaps cheated and hidden from the success he was gaining in South Africa, Rodriguez slipped from the fame-ridden world he had in the palm of his hand.

When those two South African fans finally found Rodriguez, working as a labourer in his hometown Detroit in the late 1990's, the father of three reunited himself with a mic and guitar and has since played out over 30 arena shows in South Africa. With "Searching for Sugar Man" receiving such great reviews in 2012, his music has finally found recognition in his home country as well.

Despite Rodriguez's new found fame, the man still resides in his same Detroit house that has been his home for over 40 years. Now there's a proper music man who has finally received the success he no doubt deserves. It makes you wonder, how many other Rodriguez's are there in the world, yet to be found again?

"While the Mafia provides your drugs,
your government will provide the shrugs,
and your national guard will supply the slugs,
so they sit all satisfied."

-Rodriguez-