Searching for Sugar Man

Subject: RE: Searching for Sugar Man
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 02 Jun 14 - 03:15 AM

I think that most of the record sales in South Africa were of bootleg pressings, since the apartheid regime banned his records....probably one of the things that increased his appeal (apart from his music being very good). So not much chance of royalties. he also had a cult following in Australia and New Zealand, so there may be a chance of royalties from there.

I was lent the documentary on DVD in early 2013 by a South African mate. I'd heard of Rodriguez a number of years ago, as I've known quite a few South Africans in my travels, and those around my age would always mention Rodriguez whenever we got talking about music.

I saw it again when it aired a couple of days ago.

Very sad that the maker of the documentary, Malik Bendjelloul, committed suicide this May. He'd done an incredible job on a complete shoestring. I believe some of the scenes were even shot on a phone camera when he ran out of funds.

I believe I've posted this before, but here's a vid of my SA freind Neil, who's a pharmacist in Devon, doing "Sugar Man". It's a local joke that HE'S nicknamed "Sugar Man":

Neil McArthur Sugar Man

Subject: RE: Searching for Sugar Man
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Jun 14 - 02:23 AM

Surprised hes not getting royalties from south africa

Subject: RE: Searching for Sugar Man
From: Cool Beans
Date: 01 Jun 14 - 01:04 PM

Sixto Rodriguez is still here in Detroit. Now that the movie made him famous, a couple of entities are in litigation over the rights to his songs from 1970. Not that they cared then.

Subject: RE: Searching for Sugar Man
From: GUEST,Hootenanny
Date: 01 Jun 14 - 12:10 PM

A very interesting film and story. Why was he ignored by the "music industry"? and what happened to the monies sent from South Africa? and who at the Radio Times thought the film was only worth two stars?

Catch it on I-Player if you can.

Hoot

Subject: RE: Searching for Sugar Man
From: Jason Xion Wang
Date: 01 Jun 14 - 07:33 AM

Rodriguez is a great singer. And he always reminds me of John Hurt, very similar stories, of how a hidden music master is rediscovered thanks to his hometown

Subject: RE: Searching for Sugar Man
From: Brakn
Date: 01 Jun 14 - 07:19 AM

Previous.

Wonderful.

Subject: Searching for Sugar Man
From: Will Fly
Date: 01 Jun 14 - 07:09 AM

Just caught this documentary on the BBC iPlayer - about US singer Rodriguez. Anyone else see it? Great story!