Have you ever heard of the folk singer from the early 70’s
known as Rodriguez? He released two albums back-to-back. His record producers
also worked with such well-known and esteemed acts as Michael Jackson, Marvin
Gaye, and other big Motown hits of the era. That’s because Rodriguez was based
in Detroit and, well, any big record producer in Detroit in the early 70’s
certainly worked with a big Motown act. Rodriguez sold half a million records,
was nationally popular, and his music spearheaded a national political
movement. You still say you’ve never heard of him? That’s because the only
popularity he ever had was in South Africa. The president of the now-defunct
record label that put out Rodriguez’s records says he probably sold about six
copies in the U.S. No one associated with Rodriguez ever knew of his immense
popularity in South Africa.
