Sixto Rodriguez is a musician with a unique story. He could be called “the rock star who never was” or more accurately, “the musical icon that never knew it.” His music served as an inspiration for a nation divided. But up until a few years ago, he had no idea.
Years ago, he recorded an album here in the US that tanked. Some people think that his album sold less than 10 copies. Yet in the country of South Africa, Rodriguez was an icon. People knew his music front and back. South Africans say things like “we just loved his music…his words…they were food for our hungry minds during the huge changes going through our society.”
Some of you may not know, but not too long ago, South Africa was a country going through some severe problems. Apartheid, a system of racial segregation, had been in place since the 1940’s. It affected everybody from the discriminated blacks to the younger generation of whites who were generally opposed to it. For them, Rodriguez’s music was a sort of transcendent escape that helped them feel something positive in light of the turmoil surrounding them. If you were to ask a South African during 70’s and 80’s, they would tell you that Rodriguez was more popular and influential than Elvis. The strange thing about it is that up until recently, Rodriguez had no idea his music was so popular among South Africans.
In 2012, documentary film maker Malik Bendjelloul, released the critically acclaimed “Searching for Sugar Man.” This film chronicles the journey of several South Africans on the quest to find out what happened to Rodriguez (the rumor in South Africa was that he had committed suicide on stage, but there were differing accounts). Surprisingly, they found Rodriguez alive in his home town of Detroit, Michigan. All of these years he had been working as a demolition construction worker. His co workers loved him. They knew there was something special about Rodriguez, just because of the way he lived his life. They never knew anything about his music background. Without giving away too much, I’ll tell you that Rodriguez was surprised to learn how influential his music had been to South Africans.
Rodriguez has since gone on to do several music tours, and is finally becoming more known for his lyrical and musical gifts. He kicked off his tour with a “grand return” to South Africa, where he performed in sold-out venues. At his first performance in South Africa, many people still didn’t believe he was alive. They thought it might be a hoax—that is, until he took the stage and started singing. Immediately everyone in the audience recognized his voice, and multitudes began to sing along with tears streaming down their faces. They had lived for years thinking that he was dead, but here he was in front of them.
The fact that he went virtually unknown to the rest of the world for years is strange enough. But what I find inspiring about Rodriguez is his reaction to his newly found fame. Even though he has made plenty of money since the film was released, he still lives in the same modest house that he’s lived in for years. He owns no car. He has a phone only because his daughter grew weary of tracking him down. He owns the same clothes, eats the same food, and still lives a very humble and low-key lifestyle. Most of his money has gone to taking care of his family and various fundraisers. He is a person who truly is not obsessed with fame and fortune.
I had the opportunity to see Rodriguez perform live last night. The show itself was less organized and rehearsed than most concerts I’ve seen. The crowd of several thousand was probably the most diverse crowd that I’ve seen at any one show. Everyone from thickly bearded teenagers to senior couples living their golden years together, all packed into a small warehouse. Rodriguez came on stage with the same demeanor as always. He was not some over-the-top rock star; he was a normal guy. Rodriguez exemplifies how much good a seemingly “normal person” can do–and without even knowing it. By just being the humble person that he was, he was able to connect to and inspire people from all walks of life.
My invitation is to be who you are and be the best at it. Always remember that some of your best life’s work will happen without you even knowing it. No matter how “normal” you think you may be, one of the greatest gifts that we can give to others is ourselves.