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| Searching for Sugar Man |
Damn right that I said “Sugar Man”.
No, it’s not spelling error… I actually mean “Sugar Man”, not “Superman”.
Superman is a fiction. Sugar Man is real and sage! If you still don’t know
about the “Sugar Man”, then you are missing out a lot. Maybe you are spending too
much time posting your own selfies or stalking your crush online.
Oh… Did I hurt you!? Actually I
meant to. Now, I have had enough crushing people’s ego… It’s about time you
know something about this Legendary “Sugar Man”. Get Moved and Inspired.
I was suggested to watch this
Documentary Film “Searching for Sugar Man (2012)”. Starting away, it felt
typical… I didn’t know what was gonna come out of it at the end… Anyway, I
decided to watch it. By the end of the 1 hour and 26 minutes documentary, I was
moved, touched and inspired… Inspired by the legendary Sixto Rodriguez.
Ok, now you might ask… Who on
earth is “Sixto Rodriguez”? I know, I know… I asked the same question. Name
suggests he must be a Mexican. Turns out he is an American-Mexican
songwriter/singer who released a couple of albums around 1960s and 70s. When
the world was dancing to the beats of Elvis Presley, and humming to the sounds
of Beatles and Bob Dylan, Rodriguez didn’t turn out to be hit in the America. But
there is more beyond the small continent of North America. (Did I say small…!?)
Rodriguez was disowned by his
music label. He then started working in construction business. But in the South
Africa, Rodriguez’s songs became the anthem for the South African whites’
Apartheid Movement against the then government. Rodriguez became the legend in
South Africa, all of which was unknown to the Rodriguez himself who was living
a modest and Spartan life back in Detroit.
His South African fans were
mystified by his image. Nothing was ever known of him. Rumors went by that he
took his own life on-stage. But thanks to the Music Journalist (or more of a
Musicologist) Craig Bartholomew-Strydom, who went on all those efforts and ventures
to dig out the truths about Sixto Rodriguez. Sixto Rodriguez was still alive!!!
The Rodriguez evangelists then
arranged for his epic public appearance in South Africa in 1998. The series of
concerts sould out. Rodriguez, though that had been a while since he took his
time apart from music business, had music running in his nerves. The audience
was mesmerized. It was like a trance. Rodriguez was calm as a sage.
In spite of the popularity and
fame he earned since then, Rodriguez still lives in his house at Detroit where
he had been living there more around four decades. He gives away most of what
he earns. He is a true philosopher. He is even more legendary than Bob Dylan,
Jimi Hendrix and Elvis Presley. He deserves that. He is a Sage.
As an amateur guitarist, I was
moved by his story. It has been a while since I last played my guitar, due to
various reasons… But music runs inside me. It’s my passion. Rodriguez has
inspired me to keep alive my passion.
Sixto Rodriguez is a Legend.
Truly a Sage.
©Linkinmyth 2017: Searching for
Sugar Man.
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