Sixto Rodriguez’s Detroit Memorial Service
Remembering Sugar Man’s Contributions to the Motor City
On Saturday, Detroiters and music lovers from across the globe said goodbye to a Motor City icon. Sixto Diaz Rodriguez passed away on August 8, 2023, and his life and legacy were celebrated at the Majestic Music Theatre on Woodward Avenue four days later, from noon until 11 PM.
The event was well-attended and featured numerous photos of Rodriguez and some of his personal belongings, including two guitars, some clothing, a hat, and boots.
In addition to community members and music lovers was Rodriguez’s family, including his three daughters. His eldest daughter was making rounds around the historic 1915 theatre in an attempt to speak to everyone who came out to honor her father. When I spoke with her, she was incredibly kind, strong, and thoughtful. His family has set up a memorial fund to raise money for his headstone.
This week, I dove into the archives to try to find more Detroit-themed information about Rodriguez. It’s evident he cared deeply for the Motor City, its people, and its future.
Here’s a timeline of Sixto Diaz Rodriguez’s life told through newspaper clippings, information online, and the 2012 documentary on his life.
All newspaper clippings are from the Detroit Free Press unless otherwise noted.
July 10, 1942
Sixto Diaz Rodriguez is born in Detroit, Michigan.
March 1970
Rodriguez’s first studio album, Cold Fact, releases on Sussex Records. The album was recorded at the Tera-Shirma Studio on Livernois in Detroit.
July 1970
Ernie Durham from WJLB writes about Rodriguez’s first album.
November 1971
Rodriguez’s second studio album, Coming From Reality, releases on Sussex Records. The album was recorded at Lansdowne Studios in London, England.
1973
Rodriguez announces his run for Detroit Common Council, which would be renamed ‘City Council’ a year later. He is a 26-year-old college student at Wayne State University. He does not win the seat.
1974
Rodriguez runs as a Democrat for the Michigan House of Representatives seat vacated by David S. Holmes, who was elected to the State Senate. He does not get enough votes.
1977
Rodriguez runs for Detroit City Council.
1970s & 1980s
Rodriguez’s albums start getting serious airplay in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and other countries internationally.
1980
A settlement is paid to Sixto Rodriguez after an investigation uncovered police misconduct. The incident happened in 1975.
1981
Rodriguez releases ‘Alive,’ a live album recorded in Australia at the Regent Theatre in Sydney, Australia, in March 1979.
Rodriguez runs to be the Mayor of the City of Detroit to try and defeat incumbent Coleman A. Young. He has a hard stance on crime, blight, and littering. He received over 1,400 votes.
1989
Rodriguez runs for Detroit City Council alongside 65 other hopeful candidates. He receives over 6,500 votes, which isn’t enough to get him on the November ballot.
1991
Barbara-Rose Collins, Detroit City Councilwoman, wins the United States House of Representatives election, vacating her seat in Detroit. Rodriguez is one of many running to fill her seat. He does not get enough votes.
1993
Rodriguez runs for Mayor of the City of Detroit. He is 51 years old. He tells the Detroit Free Press that, “I’m not doing it for the glory. I think I can fix it.”
1997
Rodriguez is considering another mayoral run.
1998
Rodriguez releases ‘Live Fact,’ a live album recorded in South Africa at the Standard Bank Arena Johannesburg, South Africa, in March 1998.
2000
Rodriguez runs for State Representative in the 7th District. He receives over 600 votes.
2008 & 2009
Rodriguez’s first and second albums are rereleased on Light In The Attic Records. He goes on WDET-FM and other radio stations to talk about and perform tracks from the album.
May 2009
A full-page piece is run in the Detroit Free Press about Rodriguez and how he gained notoriety in countries across the globe, and people in the states are rediscovering his music decades after it was released.
January 19, 2012
The documentary Searching For Sugar Man releases at the Sundance Film Festival.
Clipping from the Philadelphia Daily News
May 2013
Rodriguez receives an honorary Doctor of Human Letters from Wayne State University, his alma mater.
August 8, 2023
Sixto Diaz Rodriguez passes away at 81.
August 13, 2023
Rodriguez is remembered and celebrated at an event at the Majestic Theatre on Woodward Avenue in Detroit.
Check out my Historically Significant Interactive Map for more reading on the Motor City.
