‘Sugar Man’ Sixto Rodriguez tells WSU grads ‘well done’ | The Detroit News | detroitnews.com

Paul Massaron and Sandra Hughes O'Brien, members of the Wayne State University Board of Governors, put the sash on Sixto Rodriguez during commencement ceremonies at Ford Field. (David Coates/The Detroit News)

Paul Massaron and Sandra Hughes O’Brien, members of the Wayne State University Board of Governors, put the sash on Sixto Rodriguez during commencement ceremonies at Ford Field. (David Coates/The Detroit News)

Detroit — The Detroit musician who’s suddenly become one of Wayne State University’s more prominent alumni wished the class of 2013 good luck Thursday as he received an honorary degree from the school.

In a short speech thanking the University, musician Sixto Rodriguez wished the graduating students from Wayne State University good luck.

“Well done,” said Rodriguez told students taking commencement Thursday at Detroit’s Ford Field. “Or as we say in Spanish, ‘bien hecho.’”

Rodriguez, who garnered international fame this year after starring in the Oscar-winning documentary “Searching for Sugar Man,” was presented with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree at the ceremony for his “musical genius and commitment to social justice.”

Rodriguez’s two albums in the early 1970s received little attention in the U.S. but he unknowingly developed a cult following in South Africa during the apartheid era.

Read more at ‘Sugar Man’ Sixto Rodriguez tells WSU grads ‘well done’ | The Detroit News | detroitnews.com.

 

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Posted in Awards, News, Newspapers & Magazines, Performances, Photos, Reviews & Interviews, Searching For Sugar Man Film

Rodriguez to receive Honorary Doctorate on May 9th

Rodriguez performs at Lincoln Hall in Chicago, in September, 2012 (Photo credit: Barry Brecheisen/Invision/AP)

Rodriguez performs at Lincoln Hall in Chicago, in September, 2012 (Photo credit: Barry Brecheisen/Invision/AP)

Hey Folks! Here’s a friendly reminder to set your time clocks for Thursday, May 9 at 10 AM EST (Eastern Standard Time) and click on the live stream link – http://wayne.edu/live/ – to cheer on Rodriguez as he receives his honorary doctorate – Doctor of Humane Letters – from his alma mater Wayne State University during the university’s 10 AM commencement ceremony. Here’s a world time converter link: http://www.worldtimeserver.com/convert_time_in_BR-GO.aspx. And in your browser, please type in Change.org Sixto Rodriguez Kennedy Center; scroll down the page to find the petition link; click on the link; and sign the petition to nominate Rodriguez for a Kennedy Center Honor in Washington, D.C. 4,265 people have already done so and as of today (May 6, 2013), there’s 735 signatures needed. Please spread the word through your social media networks to get these 735 signatures and finish the petition – together, we can do this!

Posted in Awards, News

Sixto Díaz Rodríguez (“Searching for Sugar Man”) at The Warfield | San Francisco, California | 4/23/2013 (Concert Review)

Rodriguez

Rodriguez

“I’m not gettin’ old. I’m gettin’ dead.” Sixto Díaz Rodríguez, at age 70, standing before an enthusiastic, sold out crowd at The Warfield in San Francisco last night. He took time away from his set of late 60s folk protest rock and some surprising covers to engage the audience, often with humor (and some of it lighthearted and self deprecating) and incredible charm. I don’t know about the rest of the crowd, but if I could have one wish granted at the show, it would probably be to go up and give him a hug. He seems to be quite a sweet character, and beaming with happiness, which was not quite what I expected having his work on rotation for the 2.5 hour drive into the city. With boots, leather pants, black shirt and coat, and his trademark hat and glasses, he stood before us like some kind of elder statesman rock star… long lost and forgotten, that he was there at all playing on stage was as much unlikely as it seemed to be a part of his destiny. Truly an incredible opportunity to experience his music live and in person, I can’t imagine anyone in the room went away anything less that ecstatic with the show.

Who: Sixto Díaz Rodríguez

Who or Supporting: Giant Giant Sand

Venue: The Warfield

Where: San Francisco, California

Promoter: Goldenvoice

When: April 23, 2013

Seating: General Admission Standing (front row center)

There was quite a crowd lined up outside The Warfield even more than an hour before doors, and a lot of excitement in the air about the evening before us.

For me, it was an even more, well, for lack of a better word, unbelievable night, in that I had two concerts planned… completely unrelated at two different venues in San Francisco. First up was Rodríguez… kind of a legend as well as would be legend (as showcased in the Academy Award-winning film, Searching for Sugar Man)… this show ran from 7:00 doors until 10:30. About a mile and a half away, I then caught the “late” Prince show at the DNA Lounge, with the music icon taking the stage there at 11:30 and running until after 2:00 AM… so it was quite a surreal night, and I couldn’t help but to draw some contrasts and comparisons to the two artists.

Read more:  Sixto Díaz Rodríguez (“Searching for Sugar Man”) at The Warfield | San Francisco, California | 4/23/2013 (Concert Review).

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On 3rd Degree: Rodriguez – Echoes of Freedom

Broadcast date: Tuesday, 23 April 2013

Eva Rodriguez

Eva Rodriguez

Singer Songwriter Sixto Rodriguez’s first album Cold Fact was released over forty years ago. Though unknown in America, his music had been a huge hit in South Africa since the 70s. Now years later, an Oscar-winning documentary has finally made him a star in his own country, and around the world.

South Africa has a special place in his heart and his daughter Eva was drawn to the place where her father’s music had resonated for so long. She settled in the beautiful Wilderness on the Cape Garden Route 12 years ago after a 20 year career as a pilot in the United States military.

Now, she has turned her life towards the healing arts. She trained as a Sangoma in the Eastern Cape and has found a deep connection to South Africa.

Like her father Rodriguez, Eva focuses on freedom, enlightenment and harmony, a message South Africa and the rest of the world seems ready to hear.

3rd Degree travelled to the Wilderness to meet Eva and find out about her journey, and what it’s like to be the daughter of Sugar Man.

3rd Degree is on e.tv, the eNews channel and SKY Digital Platform in the UK – on Tuesdays at 21h30.

via On 3rd Degree: Rodriguez – Echoes of Freedom.

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Rodriguez to play Montreux Jazz Festival in July | Reuters

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American comeback musician Sixto Rodriguez, enjoying a second career at age 70, will inaugurate the “Lab” on July 4, a new venue with a capacity of 2,000.

“Searching for Sugar Man”, a film by Malik Bendjelloul which won the Oscar for Best Documentary this year, chronicles an amazing bid to find the mysterious Detroit-based Rodriguez who shot to fame in South Africa but remained unknown in America.

Rodriguez made only two albums in the early 1970s, “Cold Fact” and “Coming from Reality”. His poetic lyrics about the drug scene and poverty are tinged with “anti-establishment blues” and led to a cult following in apartheid-era South Africa – which he learned of only decades later.

The festival along Lake Geneva, whose two traditional venues are the larger Stravinski Auditorium and more intimate Miles Davis Hall, draws some 250,000 music fans each year.

via Montreux jazz festival draws Prince, Sting, Marcus Miller | Reuters.

Posted in News, Newspapers & Magazines, Performances, Searching For Sugar Man Film

‘Searching for Sugar Man’ star Sixto Rodriguez to receive Wayne State degree; Masonic Temple show sells out | MLive.com

Searching For Sugar Man

Searching For Sugar Man

DETROIT, MI – Add another honor to 70-year-old Detroit resident Sixto Rodriguez’s impressive stash.

The star of an Academy Award-winning documentary called “Searching for Sugar Man” will reportedly receive an honorary degree from Wayne State University this spring.

The Detroit News reported the news this week and mentioned Rodriguez will receive a Doctor of Humane Letters from WSU on May 9 at the 10 a.m. commencement ceremony.

Rodriguez is an 1981 graduate of Wayne State who studied philosophy. He lives in the city’s Woodbridge neighborhood near the school’s campus and bought his home for $1 decades ago during a federal land auction.

via ‘Searching for Sugar Man’ star Sixto Rodriguez to receive Wayne State degree; Masonic Temple show sells out | MLive.com.

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Johnny’s Back … SA’s legendary band Falling Mirror Live at Barnyard Theatre, Willowbridge – Cape Town

Johnny's Back

Try to imagine what a cross between Bob Dylan, Jim Morrison and Rodriguez would sound like, throw in Mark Knopfler and The Stones, and you are close to the sound of Falling Mirror, South Africa’s hit band from the ’80’s.

Remember the hit songs ‘Johnny Calls the Chemist’ and ‘Neutron Bop’ that topped local charts and even received some recognition in America?

Well, “Johnny’s Back!” albeit for one night only in The Barnyard Theatre, Willowbridge on Sunday the 28th of April, to Rev up the Rock. This concert will also form part of an upcoming major international documentary that will tell their unique rock story and capture the band’s reconnection with their audience.

Founding band members and cousins, Allan Faull (lead guitar) and vocalist Nielen Marais (the band’s name is a play on their surnames) together with drummer Patrick Humphries, were known as a non-performing, inordinately introspective group whose debut album ‘Zen Boulders’ was critically acclaimed upon release and gained a cult following for the band in SA. Now joined by George Den Das (Keyboards) and Harvey Cohen (bass guitar), Faull (recognised as one of South Africa’s best ever guitarists) together with Humphries’ rock-firm percussive patterns and Nielen “Mirror’s” bold, captivating voice and lyrics makes this one-night-only live performance a rarity and a must-see.

Nielen’s voice is probably the most distinctive feature of Falling Mirror’s music and it has often been compared to Dylan’s and although that artist’s influences still weave through some of Nielen’s songs, his sound is undeniably authentic and unique. Nielen is a man with a story to tell and he does so with his exquisitely beautiful music, unmistakable voice, timeless melodies and haunting lyrics. Allan’s guitar playing has the neat clarity of Mark Knopfler, deceptive simplicity, with incredible diversity and delivered with great emotion.

Unusual, hypnotic and totally addictive, Falling Mirror remains unique in SA and world rock, and has stayed rooted in the nation’s musical psyche ever since ‘Johnny Calls the Chemist’ was released.

For an unforgettable evening of legendary Rock that will include all Falling Mirror’s hits, and some new material, book early to avoid disappointment as tickets are limited.Tickets are NOW AVAILABLE via www.barnyardtheatre.co.za or via the booking line on 021 914 8898. All tickets are priced at R100.

Cape Town
Sunday, 28 April 2013
Barnyard Theatre – Willowbridge
Show starts at 7pm
Doors open at 5.30pm

Website: http://fallingmirror.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FallingMirror
SA Rock Encyclopedia: http://rock.co.za/fallingmirror
Buy CDs: http://freshmusic.co.za

Falling Mirror 5

Falling Mirror 11

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