January 10, 2013

Searching for Sugar Man

It all began with a record.

My friend Craig had heard a musician’s recordings, made in the 1970’s, and decided to find the singer - Sugar Man, the nickname for Sixto Rodriguez. This is a singer, who, in South Africa, Craig’s home, was bigger than the Beatles, touted to be the next Bob Dylan, a huge star. But everyone thought he was dead. He’d recorded no more music after the first two records.imageThere was no information about Sugar Man on the liner notes of his two records, no Wiki information, nothing. Rumours had it that he was dead. Shot by his own hand. While Sugar Man’s records went platinum in South Africa, the musician was living in desperate poverty in Detroit.

After nine months, 72 phone calls, 45 faxes and 142 emails all ended in dead end, Craig started looking at the lyrics of Sugar Man’s songs. He chased clue after clue until finally landing on one that referenced Dearborn in Michigan. From there, it took some strategic phone calls and Sugar Man was found. imageHe played concerts to sellout crowds in South Africa, but returned to Detroit.

All of this was recorded on film, a movie was made and it premiered at Sundance 2012.

It was just nominated for an Oscar.All of us who know Craig (in the green shirt) couldn’t be happier for him, and of course, his lovely and charming wife, my friend Flippa!

15 comments:

  1. That is so exciting! I haven't seen the film, but I heard about it - in all places - on Howard Stern. I will look for it when it is available on Netflix (or maybe it already is?).

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    1. Colleen... and I heard something on NPR! Named as one of the top 10 films. So excited.

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  2. That sounds wonderful! I'll definitely be on the lookout for the film. Maybe I'll get lucky and it will be screened at the independent theatre not far from where we live. Thanks for the tip!

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    1. Rebecca... you might have missed it. The film was doing the circuit over the summer.

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  3. Have heard about this and look forward to seeing it-great post.

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    1. You might have to get it on-line, it was in theatres over the summer.

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  4. Can't wait to see the movie!

    And just to think that all this time, I've been looking for a Sugar Daddy, not the Sugar Man. Maybe I've been looking in all the wrong places.

    -- Miss M.A.

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  5. I was browsing the list of nominees yesterday - I always like the documentaries and will definitely check it out! Congrats to Craig!

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  6. How exciting!! Sounds like a fascinating film!

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  7. What a wonderful story. Hopefully Sugarman has received some of the money from the sales of his records. Life has so many twists and turns...good luck to Craig and the Oscar.
    Mary

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  8. What a glorious story! I will definitely see that one. Congratulations to everyone involved. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

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  9. Dearest Meg... Thanks for posting about this. Huge love and miss you! Flippa xxxxxx

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