Rodriguez, subject of Oscar-winning 'Searching for Sugar Man' film, dies at 81

Singer-songwriter Sixto Rodriguez performs at the Beacon Theatre on April 7, 2013, in New York. Rodriguez, who became the subject of the Oscar-winning documentary 'Searching for Sugar Man' has died. He was 81. — Photo: AP

Sixto Rodriguez, the once obscure American singer-songwriter who enjoyed a career renaissance after his music developed a cult following abroad, has died at the age of 81.

Rodriguez – the subject of Oscar-winning documentary Searching For Sugar Man– passed away on Tuesday, a statement on his website said, without providing a cause of death.