The quality of Sixto “Sugar Man” Rodriguez’s folk tunes have withstood the test of time and brought him unexpected, international fame late in his life, and now he’s taking his acoustic guitar around the U.S. as part of his 2013 world tour. The 70-year-old, Detroit native is hosting gigs in Australia before coming to North America in April, where he has a string of shows scheduled through the beginning of May. The U.S. stretch will begin at the Beacon Theatre in New York City on April 7, and after a few gigs in the Northeast, he’ll showcase his skills at the 2013 Coachella Music Festival in Indio, Calif., on April 14 and 21. “Sugar Man” will also play venues like the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. (May 13) and Arie Crown Theater in Chicago, Ill. (May 17), before wrapping up at the Masonic Temple in Detroit, Mich. (May 18). Rodriguez will spend the end of May and most of June and July in Europe, but will return stateside on June 22 for a gig in Traverse City, Mich., as well as later in the year at New York’s Radio City Music Hall on Oct. 10.
It’s been said that truly good music is timeless, and the sounds produced by Rodriguez are a shining testament to the notion. With his most recent studio effort, "Coming From Reality," dropping back in 1971, Rodriguez basically disappeared from the map until the 1990s, when his music galvanized South African fans to either confirm or deny rumors of his death. Two South Africans were finally able to locate him, and the documentary of their process, “Searching For Sugar Man,” won this year’s Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature and propelled the guitarist to worldwide fame. “Sugar Man” is truly a one-of-a-kind musician, so see him live with a purchase of Rodriguez tickets.
