QUOTE: “Rodriguez was the greatest ’70s US rock icon who never was. Momentarily hailed as the finest recording artist of his generation, he disappeared into oblivion – rising again from the ashes in a completely different context a continent away.” SBS Television will show the much-lauded documentary on Sunday night at 8.30pm.
I grew up in Northern Rhodesia, now Zambia and recognized a song in this documentary from my youth. My husband was born in Durban, South Africa and played professionally in bands for many years in SA and Zambia. He also recognized Rodriguez and his songs from Cape Town university days when the lyrics were a national anthem for youth in a rapidly changing South Africa, swamped in “Apartheid”.
QUOTE: “In the mid-1970s, Rodriguez’s music gained airplay in Australia and New Zealand and he toured here finding limited success in the late 70s, returning in 1981 when Midnight Oil joined him for some shows.” It’s been announced he’ll be touring Australia this year.
The Oscar-winning documentary “Searching for Sugarman” is beautifully made with great respect and admiration for the undeniable talent of Sixto Rodriguez – an homage to a counter-culture hero they thought had killed himself on stage. It has many lessons…
Here’s the YouTube link to the full video with subtitles: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xg60JmFhTMs&list=RDXg60JmFhTMs#t=8
#francesmacaulayforde #sugarman #Rodriguez #recordingartist #southafrica #apartheid #rockicon #northernrhodesia #zambia
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