It is with great sadness that we at Sugarman.org announce that Sixto Diaz Rodriguez has passed away earlier today.
We extend our most heartfelt condolences to his daughters – Sandra, Eva and Regan – and to all his family.
Rodriguez was 81 years old.
May His Dear Soul Rest In Peace
“Maybe today, I’ll slip away…”
Sixto Rodriguez (10 July 1942 to 8 August 2023)
SugarMan.org 
Unbelievable sadness at his passing. His music made the world a better place. May he rest in peace and his family enjoy a lifetime of wonderful memories.
Truly saddened to hear of Sixto’s death. He had been on my mind a lot in the past month. His music touched my heart and soul in ways I can’t explain.
Rest in peace.
The world has lost a special soul. To his family, know that he meant a huge amount to us and we are thankful to him and you that he shared his music with us.
I first heard Sixto in the mid seventies in Australia and was hooked, a wordsmith whom I absolutely loved and shared his music with anybody who would listen, and there were many. I’m broken hearted today as I just learned we also lost Robbie Robertson of The Band aged 80
He has been an example of life and honesty, and his music and lyrics will always be with us. My deepest condolences to the family. A very sad day for all.
RIP, Sixto. I’m sad. Your music will live on.
Glad that I discovered your music in 2014, that I saw you live in 2016. Late is far better than never. What an inspiration you are and will remain, Sixto Rodriguez.. There is no way back after climbing up on your music. Thank you so much.
So sad, a great poet and soul has left this earth. My heart and condeolances go out to his close family and friends.
I so love his music and I’m grateful that through all that happened in South Africa the whole world finally got to enjoy his talent and that he finally got the respect, acknowledement and succes he deserved.
Rest in Peace Sixto, you touched many hearts including mine. 🙏💗
Cold Fact RIP what a fantastic web spinner
For us in South Africa his music was revolutionary in the 70s. I must have listened to Cold Fact 100 times. If I ever get a tattoo it will be of him
So long Mr Rodriguez. I saw you live in Manchester, England a few years ago shortly after seeing Searching for Sugarman. It was a wonderful night. You were kind and generous. My condolences to your family. Rest in peace.
R.I.P A Majestic Singer . Just listening to your music , Gave me comfort when I was going through hardship with my divorce . I wanted to thank you . And til this day , I still watch searching for Sugar Man . Let your wings fly !!!
RIP💔 extremely sad news. Condolences to his family.
As a seventies child, I was fortunate to have a mother who raised me on Pink Floyd and Rodriguez. From my childhood into adulthood, Mr Rodriguez you were more than just one of my favorite artists and albums ever, you also carried me through some heavy times, because that’s what Cold Fact did for me. Army days particularly were tough and I’m sure you got me and a lot of fellow soldiers through some rough days. Later, seeing you live in SA was truly a dream come true and myself, sisters and cousins were in tears just for having this honour. Even more fortunate to have met you in person and have a drink at the bar at one your gigs on one of your many return visits (I went to ever single one!). Heart felt and deep appreciation, love and respect. This world was a better place for having you in it.
I wonder about the tears in children’s eyes. and I wonder about the soldier that dies. I wonder will this hatred ever end. I wonder and worry my friend. I wonder, wonder don’t you?
As someone who just found Sugarman’s music about a year ago after his documentary was shown on TVO across the river from Detroit, I am cannot believe most of my generation missed so much of him. Much love to his family, you have been blessed to have had him for so long.
Sixto, May you rest easy on the wings of angels.
Lovely man, glad I got to see him live ages ago – his are two of the most cherished albums in my collection and will always be. RIP
A very sad day indeed. I first came across his music at university in South Africa in the 80s. Later when I broke my jaw in a motor vehicle accident freinds brought a Walkman to the hospital for me. Before I was given my pethidine jab I would rewind my Cold Facts tape to the start of Sugarman and press play. Love to all his family. Enda kabotu (travel safely) old friend. From Zambia
Stand in peace my friend
His music was the soundtrack to my high school and university years. It holds so many memories. Thank you and rest in peace.
Devastating news, a legend in his own time, a man to look up to. Rodriguez found recognition in South Africa, while I was high school, but for most of the world only 30 years later. My all time favourite musician, listen to his music very regularly. It will be different henceforth…
This man has touched the hearts of so many people and will continue to do so as his music outlives him. If this is not success, I don’t know what is. Thank you the music.
“So I set sail in a teardrop and escaped beneath the doorsill…Cause the smell of her perfume echoes in my head still…”
So sorry to hear, when I discovered his music I got see him in Denver, still have his music on my rotation playlist. Rest in peace Sixto, thank you for your music.
Thank you for all the memories and future ones.
Llegó en silencio y se fue en silencio. Nos queda su eco para la posteridad
We celebrate and honor the life of the legendary Sixto Rodriguez, his legacy will live on forever.
Rest In Peace My Brother………May Your Eyes Ever Behold The Red And Purple Sunset!
My son just told me the sad news, we discovered Sixto like many others, through the documentary. I did buy two of his albums, his music is so great. Rest in peace and thanks for the music. 💔🙏🏻
Thanks for your time Sixto 😦
Thank you for your great music and amazing story. You continue to enrich my life. R.I.P.!
💔 Deeply saddened
Much love and sympathy to his family, friends and all who found magic in his music
Thank you for your legacy Sixto Rodriguez x
Gran músico. Descansa en paz.
My heart has been saddened today because Sixto Rodrigues passed away. Condolences to his family. I loved his music and know that through it he will live on in many peoples hearts.
Quelle tristesse! Je l’ai conu comme beaucoup de personnes par le titre “Sugar man”. Ensuite, j’ai cherché plus de renseignements sur le Net, et j’ai entendu une musique qui convenait à ma sensibilité. Je ne savais pas qu’il était encore vivant sinon je l’aurai contacté; mon père est non voyant depuis 39/45.
Legend
Rodriguez has lived in my soul since I was 15 yrs old….that’s for 42 yrs!! You are my beginning and end. You sang from yr heart with such heartfelt words.
Every time I hear yr music….I am 15 again, with all that I felt then and all I was surrounded by.
You were and still are a LEGEND ❤️.
I was humbled to see you perform live twice in Cape Town, South Africa.
Sincere condolences to yr family and may your humility and gentleness shine through them hug hug.
Fly like an angel and RIP xx
So sad. Nice movie: https://www.moviezine.se/movies/searching-for-sugar-man
so sorry for your loss, learning of him & his songs through the Searching For Sugarman doc some years ago had such an impact on me he’ll forever stand high among the greats that moved my musical soul RIP
I had the pleasure of seeing this man live. What a musician! What a legend! This is a sad day for the music world.
Rest in Peace, Sixto, Thanks for your time. Many, many fond memories – including your concert in Mosselbay in the early 2000’s.
Thinking of Sixto Rodriguez, family, friends and those who toured and recorded with him and even filmed with him. He had a specail gift. Peace to him.
I am very sorry for this sad news. My condolences to the WHOLE FAMILY. Thanks for your MUSIC.
We had the privilege of seeing you with my wife in concert in Montréal Québec. Gracias
Thinking of Sixto Rodriguez friends, family and the many he has encouraged over the years. Peace be with him.
I’m very sorry to hear one of the greatest musicians has passed away.
My symphaties to the family.
I loved him, so sad such a humble man RIP from one of millions of fans from South Africa 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦
Cold fact…. BEST Album ever. He definitely shaped our conception of music. RIP grande uomo
A sad day for music! Keep playn Sixto! My childrens Will know your music! Your name never die! Big hug for all your family! A fan from Perù
Rest in Peace Sir brought alot of joy to my heart and soul with your music…
Your music will live forever, but I hope you rest peacefully.
A sad day for music . Love and prayers to his family . He was a good dad . His music , unique without comparison . A beautiful soul that never ceased to share his spotlight . Blessings and love , thank you Rodriguez , thank you for your music …it will last forever…I will talk about you and play your music for the rest of my life . Peace be with you brother .
Mis condolencias a la familia.. una gran pérdida. DEP. Saludos desde España.. un abrazo grande¡
This is a sad day for Us! Our condolences to his family from Keramics band from Italy.
I heard his music in high school in the 90’s. Loved it. Had no idea who he was. Heard the stories of suicide on stage and all the rest, but the music was there and that was already so much.
Years later the music popped up again and brought back the great feelings that come with Rodrigues music. Still, no one knew who he was.
In my thirties, Sugarman was released. I bought the CD, but couldn’t afford to see Rodrigues live in Cape Town. I was very sad, as I thought my one chance was lost.
Years later, he came back! Older, almost blind, but still amazing, I finally experienced Rodrigues – live. What a night. I won’t lie, I cried, as I am doing now, writing this message.
On the one side one has to wonder… if he did make it big, would he have stayed who he was? Or turned into a ‘rockstar’? I like to think he would have kept his humility and kindness.
The story of Rodrigues can take one to a dark place, of missed chances, suffering, the unfairness of life and the twists of fate, but it can also uplift one with the strength of character, the love of family, the healing of music and how destiny always finds you, no matter how long it takes. We have to choose which side of the story we want to focus on.
Sixto is gone, but Rodrigues will live forever.