A Song For the Dead- Sixto Rodriguez

 From the National Affairs Desk-

   Well, you knew this was coming.......

   No, not the fact that Sixto Rodriguez, local legend (check in the bank), passing. Everything will die, from the king of the jungle to butterflies. The only sin is waiting too long. No, I meant this eulogy. So, Rodriguez waits no more, as he has passed at the age of 81.

   For those in the know, the story of Sixto Rodriguez is actually more interesting than his music. I don't mean that as a knock, or a "too soon" joke, but let's be realistic. It is.

Quick Recap- Rodriguez began recording music in the late 1960's through the mid 70's. It was basically Dollar Store Bob Dylan stuff. Once again, I don't mean that as a knock on him. I consider myself a Dollar Store Hunter S Thompson. Dollar Stores are important. Dollar stores are valuable. They have a place. Sometimes it is okay to eat McDonald's instead of Ruth Chris.

   Anyway, his music went nowhere around here because McDonald's happen to be everywhere, and also he was living in Detroit, the post 60's cultural wasteland. To this day, nobody's music goes anywhere around here. Ask Craig Brown. He had the cultural juggernaut of Third Man Records behind him at one point and where did that go? Nowhere. Don't get me started on the Whiskey Charmers. Playing 9 shows every week for peanuts. For god sakes take a nap, or at least give the public a rest. (Spoiler alert: Not gonna happen). 

   Anyway, Rodriguez's music went nowhere because duhhhhh, he was living in post riot Detroit, but it did find a following in South Africa along with some other overseas areas. All this, while he was working shitty jobs just to make a living. Just like you and me, right? The rest of his story could have been scripted by Vince McMahon, and very well could have been. There was a rumor that he killed himself (during a concert, nice touch...), but he eventually found out about his popularity in South Africa, which I always found sketchy, although some of his songs were anti-apartheid which would make sense. Still, this was just another local musician, and local musicians don't have any reach beyond Toledo. Ask Dear Darkness. But he finally got his accolades, and they even made a movie about him. In the end, it really was a very Hollywood story; almost even....manufactured. The documentary won an Academy Award, and I think you know where I am going with this.

   The term "Elder Abuse" gets thrown around alot these days, and for good reason, but when I look at the life and legacy of Sixto Rodriguez, I see a quiet artist with a lot to say, but he did it through music and writing. What happened about the discovery of fame, late fame, rumors, and documentary seems....manufactured. I really don't mean to be cynical but these vultures double dipped on this poor guy, first from his recording days, and then exploiting him after a good enough story came up. Tell me I'm lying. I have a good eye (and track record) for these observations. All I hope is that he got, and was able to enjoy, some compensation for his art instead of all of it going to the clusters of bums, clout chasers, Hollywood-types, manipulators, and yeah, I'll say it, family, that populated his later years, using his story to profit from it. Yeah, I had to go the "family" angle because where were they when he was breaking his back working those crap jobs?? Reasonable question, right? But nahhhhh, we got a legacy character, a Oscar nom'd artist. Hey there. Here we are!!!! Do the math, follow the money, as always. And as always fuck'em.

   Why just last month there was a birthday show for him (that I previewed here and offered an eerie foreshadowing) at the Cadieux Cafe. It was sold out and hosted by the "Doc of Rock" Doug Podell, who probably never played a Rodriguez song in his life. Ya see a trend??? They dragged Sixto out for a bit, propped him up, no elder abuse at all from the "friends and family", and then after the show, that he left after 2 songs, reports said that "he had fun". At the time my issue was with where the money from the show was going, but I kept getting grossed out by how everything was going on around this guy, and like history repeating itself...he had no idea. So I did a little digging and found that the merch ($5 screen printed t's selling for $20) and auction went to Rodriguez. I hope that is true, as we will soon see but probably not. Some of the gate went to the Orbitsuns with a little sprinkle here and there for the other acts playing, along with the sound guy (spare me) and "security" (hahaha right?). *Once more...with feeling.

   What really bugs me is that the JCM played (and more importantly, promoted) a show at the Corktown Music Festival. To my knowledge, all of the acts played for free. I am pretty positive about this because the Jesus Chainsaw Massacre was the biggest name on the bill. All of the gate went to this Girls Rock charity (that I verified). So what I would love to see is for the Orbitsuns to give their take from Sixto's b-day show back to the "family". The show would have sold out just by using Rodriguez's name and brand anyway. So do it pussies. Or maybe Vinnie Dombrowski needs to get another cowboy hat to cover up his receding hair. Sorry dude, irrelevance sucks, I get it. Deal with it.

   So what happens next? Will there be a Rodriguez "tribute" show featuring local artists that taught themselves a Rodriguez song the week before? You know who you are. You are all out there. Will it feature a bunch of local bands nobody cares about, in keeping with the Rodriguez tradition? (You know it!). Will Third Man Records release a limited edition, vault, numbered, limited, vault, edition, numbered, local failed artist designed cover of a Rodriguez record? (You absolutely know it. The goof from Duende is pressing it as I type).

   After I posted my preview on Sixto's birthday show I received a five paragraph long lecture from somebody involved in the show. I keep all of my sources private, so save it. They said that I was a little harsh, so they must be new here. Makes sense because their band has less followers than JCM and has no heat at all, but they sure enough had a hand in booking themselves for the Rodriguez b-day show. God, I hate this scene sometimes. Can you feel it? They also gave me some vague cost breakdowns for the show that I posted up there (main idea, the balding Orbitsuns got paid), and they also said that Rodriguez was doing well and recovering. Well good lord man, now I don't know what to believe! He was off to a great start. Also, I have seen zero, absolute zero heat or hype, or anything regarding Marz Radio, so stay in your lane kids.

   Anyway, I need to wrap this Gonzo obituary up. In the end, I hope that Sixto Rodriguez is resting easy, and knew that his story was a decent story. I respect everyone who puts their heart out there. I also hope that everyone who took advantage of him, his name, and his unique story (you know who you are) get their just karma. I think it all starts with Vinnie Dumbrowski's losing hair. Rodriguez was an interesting man whose "story" was more gripping than his music. And then the buzzards saw it and swooped in. As always. Rest well Sixto, and I will probably never see you again. So, that's my obit, so I am signing off. Look to next week for my end of summer pop culture bonanza featuring movie, music, tv, concert reviews. Then I will be going away for a while. But now, from the best, only, remaining, defending, local journalist in Detroit....Acknowledge Me.....

From the Iceman Commeth

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Dr. Bryan Metro