Rodriguez, subject of Oscar-winning doc, dies at 81

Sixto Rodriguez, who lived in obscurity as his music career flamed out early in the U.S. only to find success in South Africa and a stardom he was unaware of, died Tuesday in Detroit. He was 81.

Rodriguez’s legacy would take off back home after the singer and songwriter became the subject of the Oscarwinning documentary “Searching for Sugar Man.”

His death was announced on the Sugarman.org website and confirmed Wednesday by his granddaughter, Amanda Kennedy. He died following a short illness, according to his wife, Konny Rodriguez, 72.