The majority of you have probably never heard of a man named Sixto Rodriguez. Neither had I until a couple days ago.

Sixto Rodriguez was born July 10, 1942, in Detroit, Michigan. His parents, immigrants from Mexico, named him Sixto because he was the sixth child in his family.

Little did he know, his upbringing as a part of the inner city poor would influence his life in more ways than he could imagine.

Rodriguez, who worked construction, was performing in a bar one night when he was discovered as an American folk singer. He signed with a small label named Impact, and produced the single “I’ll Slip Away.”

A couple years later, Rodriguez signed with Sussex Records, and produced both of his albums, “Cold Fact” and “Coming From Reality.” For some reason, most likely because of his Hispanic heritage, Rodriguez’ career in North America flopped.

Sussex Records dropped him, two weeks before Christmas, a premonition which came true from his song “Cause.”

Little did he know, Rodriguez was a super star in conservative South Africa. The story goes that an American girl came to South Africa to visit her boyfriend, with “Cold Facts” in tow. What proceeded from there was boot-legging and importing of copies.

When the copies ran dry, Australian record company Blue Goose Music bought the rights to his back catalogue, and released his two albums.

Rodriguez had become an icon of South African culture. Children ran around on the streets singing his songs. His music opened their eyes to something else, with songs like “I Wonder” helping along the realization that there was a way to fight the South African government: through music.

Rodriguez went platinum, and sold an estimated half a million copies. However, the rumor was that he had killed himself while on stage. No one knew whether it was with a bullet through the head, or by lighting himself on fire, disappointed with his music career.

His South African fans took it upon themselves to find out what had become of their legend, and the simple line “Any musicologist detectives out there?” set the search in motion.

A website was created, with a milk carton on the front page, containing a milk carton with Rodriguez’ face on it. It was on this website that Rodriguez’ daughter posted.

Rodriguez wasn’t dead. He was very much alive, living in Detroit, and working in construction.

After this revelation, Rodriguez was invited to tour in South Africa. His concerts were sold out.

However, it didn’t get to his head. After the tour, Rodriguez returned to his humble home in Detroit, and his job in construction. He gifted the money to his friends and family.

Rodriguez returned several times to South Africa, to perform and tour. He would always return home to the same house and job he had lived with for years.

In 2012, Searching for Sugar Man premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, a documentary on Rodriguez and the efforts to uncover the truth behind his rumored suicide.

The documentary is amazing, and Rodriguez is now up and coming in North America. 40 years later.