Honorary South African “Sugar Man” Sixto Rodrigues, dies aged 81.

American-born musician Sixto Rodrigues was confirmed dead on Tuesday through his official website.

Rodriguez started his career in 1967. But his record label eventually dropped him because he struggled with success initially.

Unknown to the star, his song was a rave in SA and it recorded a significant amount of sales. The tales of his success overseas became known to him when his daughter came across a website dedicated to him by Mzansi in 1997.

In 2012, the Oscar-winning “Searching for Sugar Man” saw two South African fans track Rodriguez down to see what had become of him. Consequently, his musical career saw a revival.

The statement on his site reads “It is with great sadness that we at Sugarman.org announce that Sixto Diaz Rodriguez has passed away earlier today.

“We extend our most heartfelt condolences to his daughters – Sandra, Eva, and Regan – and to all his family. Rodriguez was 81 years old. May His Dear Soul Rest In Peace.”

His co-stars have penned eulogy to him since then.

“In the US he lived in relative obscurity, but was hugely popular in here South Africa without him ever knowing until much later on,” David Scott said.

“We will never witness a story like his in our lifetime again.”