Hello! I might be one of the last people in the U.S. to see the Searching For Sugar Man documentary – I was so moved, laughing and crying with my friend who checked it out from the public library to share with me.
My friend also had his Cold Fact CD, which I am about to rip into my iTunes Library… on the condition that I can pay Sixto Rodriguez directly. After watching the documentary and reading a few articles, I have zero confidence that purchasing any of his albums new results in revenue or royalties ever actually reach Rodriguez. So, can someone direct if he accepts Venmo or PayPal, or maybe Patreon. I poked around on this website and on the Rodriguez YouTube channel – where found a Facebook comment feed with comments similar to my feelings about buying Rodriguez albums and merch, worrying about others profiting, but him never seeing a cent. Most of us were probably not surprised about the mercenary nature of the music industry already, but Rodriguez’ story has got to be the worst of the worst as far as exploitation and fraud. Considering what Rodriguez has already been through, it seems like insult to injury to enthusiastically purchase his albums now, only to have it again get sucked down some hole… right into someone else’s pocket.
If anyone can direct me to a legit avenue to purchase his albums and/or make a direct payment to him, please let me know! I will keep looking until I find a way.
Hi there. My wife and I have just seen the documentary about this fantastic story. It’s absolutely incredible, we sat on our settee with tears in our eyes
… The success that you received was thoroughly deserved, well done to everyone concerned… Long may this story continue.. Take care and good luck from Paris, France
Rodriguez, I’m sure you have received thousands of messages. I just want to thank you for your music. It is simply amazing. After also watching all the videos of you I could (and reading all I could) it is obvious that you are a wonderful man whom your family loves very much. Thank you for making this world a better place…..
This mix opens with a recent cover version of “Sugar Man” by South African singer Rebekah Thompson.
This version plays under the closing credits of the 2019 film “Moffie” which is about a young man drafted into South Africa’s military, but he knows he is different and must keep himself hidden.
1. Sugar Man (from Moffie) – Rebekah Thompson 2. Heart Of Glass (Crabtree remix) – Blondie & Philip Glass 3. Adagio In G Minor – The Doors 4. Oblivion – M83 feat Susanne Sundfør 5. The Black Page #1 (piano version) – Ruth Underwood 6. Love Scene (from Zabriskie Point) – Richard Wright 7. The Rains Of Castamere (from Game Of Thrones) – Ramin Djawadi & Serj Tankian 8. Skyrim (Dragonborn) – Tina Guo 9. Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) – Emily Browning 10. Chasing The Dragon – Epica 11. Nymphetamine (Fix) – Cradle Of Filth feat Liv Kristine 12. Crazy In Love (2014 version) from Fifty Shades Of Grey – Beyoncé 13. Tomorrow Never Knows (from Sucker Punch) – Alison Mosshart & Carla Azar 14. Oh! Darling – Peachy Keen 15. Sugar Man – Barbara Moleko
Unreleased track by the lads, featuring the McCully brothers, Tully and Mike. In comms with Tully, “…This track was featured on Springbok Radio’s ‘Battle of the Beats’ in 1966/67….Mel (Green), Mel (Miller) and Julian (Laxton) won, we came second…” …This is their take on the blues song first recorded by American Delta Blues musician Bukka White in 1940. An autobiographical piece, in which White sings of his experience at the infamous Mississippi State Penitentiary, known as Parchman Farm. The track has been covered by several other artists over the years.
Marq Vas, 29 December 2020
The Blue Beats – “Parchman Farm” Line up: Mike McCully – Drums Tully McCully – Bass, Lead Vocals Richard Hyam – Rhythm Guitar Maurice Findlay – Lead Guitar
Publisher: Marquis Music
Thanks to Tully for the track/band info and use of band pic.
Probably Rodriguez’s most well-known song. Rodriguez himself is also often referred to as The Sugar Man. A great song with superb instrumentation. This slow bluesy rock song is a paean to his drug dealer, however Rodriguez said on a TV interview in March 1998 that this song is “descriptive not prescriptive”. Great imagery and use of hippy slang, like “silver magic ships” and “sweet Mary Jane”, ensure the listeners’ interest. The psychedelic freak-out section in the middle reminds me of similar sections in Led Zeppelin’s ‘Whole Lotta Love’ and Uriah Heep’s ‘Gypsy’. – Brian Currin, 1998
“Cold Fact” opens with the ultra trippy Sugar Man, which may well have been straight out of an acid trip. “Sugar man met a false friend on a lonely dusty road, lost my heart, when I found it, it had turned to dead black coal” suggests just where exactly the inspiration came from as he goes on to list jumpers, coke and sweet Mary Jane. More than any other Rodriguez song, it is Sugar Man which personifies the artist in the minds of those who have always wondered. The eerie moog synthesizer, whistling in the background, the lazy and simple guitar chords and the dreamy nasal voice place the listener firmly in an era of fantasy. It sets a perfect tone for the album and the myth. – Andrew Bond, 1998
I’m not for drugs, I never advocated drug taking – Rodriguez, March 1998
What’s that song about anyway? – Rodriguez, 22 September 2001
This track was the first encore song on the 1998 South African tour. It was preceded by much chanting of “Su-gar Man, Su-gar Man…”. Were we calling for the song or the Man? Who knows, but he came and he sang and we loved it.
South African band Just Jinger also did a great cover of this song on their March 1998 EP “Something For Now”.
There have also been cover versions recorded by American band The Monkey Wrench and Australian band Stella One Eleven.
Kris Kristofferson recorded a completely different song called “Sugar Man” in 1972. Released on the “Jesus Was A Capricorn” album.
In 1991 The Escape Club also recorded a song titled “Sugar Man” (no relation to the Rodriguez song) on their “Dollars And Sex” CD.
In 2001 Rapper Nas sampled “Sugar Man” for his “You’re Da Man” track off “Stillmatic”.
In the December 2002 issue of UK music mag, MOJO, in the list “The 100 Greatest Drug Songs Ever!” “Sugarman” was at number 34.
You’d Like To Admit It
Extremely rare b-side of a seven single recorded in 1967 and credited to Rod Riguez.
I Wonder
This classic folk-rock song is the one that most people seem to associate with Rodriguez. Used as the show opener on the 1998 and 2001 SA tours. Simple in composition but penetrating in it’s lyrics.
It came as no surprise then that when “Cold Fact” hit the record racks, it became a hit, simply because it contained a phrase which would muddy the country’s sexually chaste waters and serve as a mantra to the youth: I wonder, how many times you’ve had sex… – Craig Bartholomew, 1997
Generation EXT’s slow hip-hop rap version of I Wonder was released on the compilation CD “Dance Connexion 17” in September 1998.
Only Good For Conversation
Classic fuzz metal guitar riff by Dennis Coffey opens this song, reminds me of Deep Purple’s ‘Smoke On The Water’. A harsh bitter song of lost love (..you’re the coldest bitch I know..), this track really rocks! Great bass line and a superb guitar solo. – Brian Currin, 1998
Climb Up On My Music
My favourite Rodriguez song and also one of my all-time favourite songs. Brilliant title and great lyrics. Excellent rock guitar from Chris Spedding and jazzy piano (by Phil Dennys?) make this song a classic. Wonderful production by Steve Rowland and superb stereo imaging. Listen to it!!
When performed live on the 1998 South African tour this track became a classic rock song of anthemic proportions. Willem Möller’s guitar solo is one of my magic moments in music. – Brian Currin, 1998
Sandrevan Lullaby
A wonderful instrumental duet for acoustic guitar and violin. Used as the intro for “Lifestyles”. Written by Rodriguez for his 2 daughters, Sandra and Eva. Sometimes mistitled as Sundrevan Lullaby.
…the musical part of Sandrevan Lullaby touches my heart (named after my sister Sandra and me)… – Eva Rodriguez, 1997
Rehearsed for the 1998 SA tour, but not performed (I know ‘coz I was there!) – Brian Currin, 1998
Rich Folks Hoax
Great song, what more can I say – listen to the words.
Craig Bartholomew told me that in 1987 when he was busking his way around Spain, this song received the best response, and the most money into his open guitar case!
Covered by Amanda Strydom in September 2003. – Brian Currin, 2003
Hate Street Dialogue
Not written by Rodriguez, but sure sounds like it could have been. “Hate Street Dialogue” actually refers to the famous “Haight/Ashbury” area of San Francisco, the famous Hippie hang-out during the late 60s “Summer Of Love”.
…for years the title Hate Street Dialogue has been bothering me, when I listened to the song I gathered the lyrics were referring to the famous hippie street in San Francisco: Haight/Ashbury, however the title on the album is spelt “Hate”. Rodriguez said (on a South African radio phone-in show in March 1998) that although the lyrics of that particular song were not written by himself they did refer to the Haight and not to the opposite of love. – Stelios, 1998
Could this be “Janis Pity” – a sort of tribute to Janis Joplin? Read the lyrics and see the similarity to Janis and her lifestyle. Lyrics like “now you sit there thinking, feeling insecure…” and “…don’t bother to buy insurance, coz you’ve already died…”. Great imagery and biting prose. Read more about this song and ‘Like Janis’.
To Whom It May Concern (1979 live version)
A wonderful, almost progressive rock version with jazz-blues flute and even a bass solo. Recorded in Australia in 1979. This track is over 8 minutes long and the band is introduced on this song. Really great version.
Heikki’s Suburbia Bus Tour
After a conversation with my father, I wanted to share a short story…
In the sixties, there were these people called hippies. It can be said that a long hair, dark skin, free thinking musician, like Rodriguez could have been labelled one. In my youth, I recall hearing about how the “rich folks” (those living in the suburbs), would come down to the inner city of Detroit to actually see these “oddities” in their natural environment. Maybe even take a picture or two. This happened to be my neighborhood and some of my people.
Rodriguez had a very good friend named Heikki. I remember a large man with long blond/brown hair. He had a very nice home, a wife named Linda and two huge bull mastiff dogs. Despite stereotypes, Heikki was a mathematician from “Estonia” (Estonia is a republic in North-Eastern Europe, near Finland) who rode a classic motorcycle. In fact, one of the places that Rodriguez played, a “motorcycle funeral”, was for one of Heikki’s friends. The motorcycle club was called “The Penetrators”.
Anyway, someone had made fun of Rodriguez’s friend. Protective of Heikki’s feelings, Rodriguez organized what I consider to be a peaceful form of retaliation. A bus was chartered, full of hippies, four gallons of wine, etc. The group went to Grosse Point, Michigan and surrounding areas where they visited suburbian malls and neighborhoods on a tour of their own. The rest, is in the music. The story made the newspapers in Detroit and also reached Florida (a southern U.S. state). – Eva Rodriguez, 1997
A Most Disgusting Song
In “A Most Disgusting Song” the people are like someone we all know. I think it was a depiction of a place Rodriguez played, a bar called “The Sewer” near the Detroit River, that was demolished a long time ago (In the song “Cause” Rodriguez speaks to Jesus (his brother?) at the Sewer). One of the places that Rodriguez played, a “motorcycle funeral”, was for one of Heikki’s friends. The motorcycle club was called “The Penetrators”. – Eva Rodriguez, 1997
I am from Karumba Queensland Australia. From the late 70’s the local commercial fishermen here have been listening to Rodriguez while working on their boats for many many years. A big percentage of us are in our late 50s to 60s now. In 2023 Karumba will be 150 years old. And you being part of our history for so long would you think about playing here. Thank you for taking the time to read my letter.
My name is Milan M.A. Gonzales, based in Berlin Germany. I’m a cultural correspondent and contributor with Pagina Siete, the leading independent daily newspaper from Bolivia, South America.
I’m writing to you as l’d like to schedule a 20-30-minute phone interview (conference call) with Mr. Rodriguez before Christmas if it’s possible.
Also wondering if Mr. Rodriguez speaks spanish.
What would work best for Mr. Rodriguez. In case you’d like to suggest any day/time, we’ll be flexible.
Many thanks in advance for your feedback.
Best,
Milan M.A. Gonzales
P.S. For more information, please enter the link of one of the interviews from this series. It was an interview with Mr. Gillan from Deep Purple.
We are planning a tiny festival in may, we are here in the Netherlands. A post covid return to each other. Intimate and connected. There is no one we would rather book than you. We are a literary platform and believe you are the most brilliant songwriter ever, the festival will be in buses. Would you please come. We have a budget and think a moment like this would be essential to healing.
Hello! Mr. Rodriguez has been my companion and “spirit guide” since watching Searching For Sugarman at the beginning of the Pandemic. He has become one of my heroes and I listen to the soundtrack everyday while I ride my mountain bike out in the country. I would so love to know how he is and if he will ever perform again? My greatest wish would be to be able to talk with him to express what his music and his “being” means to me. Thank you for any help or update you can provide.’
I’ll Slip Away / You’d Like To Admit It (Impact 1031) August 1967 (USA)
Cash Box, September 23, 1967 Rod Riguez could make a name for himself with this bluesy, mid-tempo rock ballad. Keep it in sight. Flip: “You’d Like To Admit It”.
These 2 songs were released as a single in 1967 and credited to Rod Riguez. The lyrics for ‘You’d Like To Admit It’ were transcribed by Glenn Coggin in January 2005.
The 1967 version of I’ll Slip Away was released on The Best Of Impact Records CD (Collectables COL-5883) in November 1997. Also released as a bonus track on Sugar Man: The Best Of Rodriguez (South Africa) in September 2005.
The 1967 single features more upfront Byrds-type jangly guitar, vocal harmonies and a subdued organ in the background, when compared to the early 70’s version. The strings that are so prominent on the later version are absent on the 1967 version.
I’ll Slip Away: As far as the Rodriguez Impact single, “I’ll Slip Away” is concerned, I would highly suspect that both sides of that single were probably recorded at Terra Shirma Studios, since most of all of the later Impact records were recorded there. But it is possible that it may have been recorded at United Sound Studios in Detroit, since Harry Balk recorded many of his artists there as well.
The “B” side of the Impact 45, “I’ll Slip Away” is a song titled, “You’d Like To Admit It”. Both sides were produced by Harry Balk (the owner of Impact). To my knowledge, the record was only issued as a “promotional” 45, and not sold commercially to the public (see note below). The record is “near-impossible” to find, due to the fact that few copies were pressed, and Impact records went out of business shortly after the record was released. By the way, the song, “You’d Like To Admit It” was also written by Rodriguez.
I’m afraid that I can’t help you out with the lyrics to the song (read them here),”You’d Like To Admit It”, because I don’t own a copy of the single. In my many years of collecting records, I have only seen ONE copy of that record for sale, and it was much too expensive for me to buy. (IT WAS ABOUT $175.00 U.S. DOLLARS!)…
— Jerry Schollenberger, “Best of Impact Records” CD producer, May 1999
I can confirm that a regular (NOT a promo) release of Impact #1031 does exist. A speculation to the contrary exists on your Sixto R. page. Thanx for the info on this artist that you supplied; you have added to my enjoyment of record collecting, and listening.
— Steve Jones, Canada, August 2003
I’LL SLIP AWAY
And I’ll forget about the girl that said no Then I’ll tell who I want where to go And I’ll forget about your lies and deceit And your attempts to be so discreet
Maybe today, yeah I’ll slip away
And you can keep your symbols of success Then I’ll pursue my own happiness And you can keep your clocks and routines Then I’ll go mend all my shattered dreams
Maybe today, yeah I’ll slip away
Cause you’ve been down on me for too long And for too long I just put you on Now I’m tired of lying and I’m sick of trying Cause I’m losing who I really am And I’m not choosing to be like them
And if you get bored or got loneliness Or it’s dislike for me you express I won’t care if you’re right or you’re wrong I won’t care cause you see I’ll be gone
You were the girl that laughed when I tried You were the one that smiled when I sighed You didn’t like my style or my songs Now tables turned and you find you were wrong
So when I see you again I’ll just grin Cos’ I’m glad that you had better sense than to mess up my life.
You haven’t changed and I know that you won’t You stare at my back, then pretend that you don’t You were too cute and correct to be mine Now I’m kinda glad that we didn’t find time
So when I see you again I’ll just grin And you know why it is, cos’ I’m glad that you’re his and not mine
I’m in the mood to reveal how I feel You weren’t that sharp, but you had some appeal Now there’s a hint of regret in your eyes But you won’t tell me, and your smile’s your disguise
So when I see you again I’ll just grin Cos’ I’m happy I’m here and that you’re way the heck over there!
During lockdown guitarist Michael Currin often sent drummer Stephen Timm and lyricist Toast Coetzer some guitar tracks he had come up with. These were sent via their WhatsApp group and after a while conversation drifted in the direction of ‘Why don’t we make a little album out of this?’ “Satelliet” is a 6-track EP built around Michael’s guitar compositions, with Toast writing lyrics for some of them (“Ice Pyramid” is Michael’s epic solo instrumental!), and Stephen adding the finishing touches during production. It’s lo-fi as an old fence-post, but we think you’ll like it! Download it for free on our Bandcamp page.
I hope you’re all well. I live in England and I just wanted to share my Rodriguez story with you.
I buy cd collections from people in the vain hope of finding the hidden gem you can’t stop playing. Well a few months ago I got a pile from a charity and it had Coming From Reality in the box. I’d never heard of Rodriguez so it ended up on the listen pile and I couldn’t stop listening to it! I had no idea of his back story but I mentioned it to a few friends and was told watch Searching For Sugar Man. So this morning that’s just what I did and what an amazing and heartbreaking story! I had tears in my eyes watching him come on stage. Cold Facts has gone from the Christmas list to the being delivered tomorrow list.
It’s an absolute disgrace that someone has made a LOT of money from your huge talent but that’s the music business and it will never change. I hope your heart is warmed more by the fact that you have brought so many people so much happiness and will continue to do so forever.
Thank you Rodriguez, you are a wonderful person with an enormous talent.
