From 2006–2012 I ran an online music store with 3 cofounders called Rhythm Music Store (seeded by the Rhythm Records catalog). It was our first startup and we w

From 2006–2012 I ran an online music store with 3 cofounders called Rhythm Music Store (seeded by the Rhythm Records catalog). It was our first startup and we were way too early (mind you, this was before Spotify or Facebook - fb only launched in ZA in 2007). It was great - R7 a song, DRM-free buy-to-own MP3s with dial-up Internet, but too early. Anyway, one of the cofounders was musicologist Brian Currin. Brian has been running the official Rodriguez website (sugarman.org) I believe since the 90s. Together with Stephen Segerman, they found Rodriguez in Detroit and had him come to South Africa, where he was more popular than in his own country. The story goes that his daughter found the Sugarman forums and said, "I am Rodriguez's daughter." That started him touring. In 2012 I got to see Rodriguez perform live at Grand West in Cape Town, South Africa. Out of the crowd a lady adulated, "Rodriguez, we love you!" Sixto answered, "I know that's the beer talkin', but I love ya' back." The crowd cheered. Rodriguez then mused, "You wanna' know the secret ta'life?" "Yes, Rodriguez! Tell us," the crowd bellowed. "Breathe in. Breathe out." And Rodriguez breathed out. Rest in peace, Rodriguez. (edit: formatting. @dang pleaaase can we get markdown line endings?)