Rodriguez remains more of a movie star than a rock hero. Or, more accurately, a star made by a movie. He was the subject of the 2012 documentary "Searching for Sugar Man," the story of an early 1970s U.S. folk-rock singer who had somehow become a beloved cult hero in South Africa and two fans who tracked him down in Detroit in the 1990s and brought him to play big sold-out concerts in their country.
The movie won an Oscar for best documentary in 2013 — and then Rodriguez won a career.
Rodriguez, 71, entered the State Theatre on Saturday the same way he had in May 2013 at the sold-out Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul — moving fragilely on the arms of two young women. Actually, one was carrying a baby this time. The other difference from last year was that the crowd — and venue — were twice as big. Also, Rodriguez was wearing a stylish brocade jacket, with tuxedo pants, a black dress shirt and bolo tie — a significant upgrade from his hippie gear of last year.
Of course, he was still sporting his floppy-brimmed hat and dark glasses, both of which he put on after being led to the microphone at center stage.
On the second time around, Rodriguez was more comfortable, confident and convincing. He didn't seem as dumbstruck about his comeback; this time he seemed to own it.
The soft-spoken Detroiter came across as humble and grateful, doffing his hat after a vociferous reaction to a few songs. He wasn't shy about speaking up this time — whether he started the conversation or a fan did.
After he sang "Sugar Man," he declared that "this is a descriptive, not prescriptive, song." Get off drugs, he urged; "stay smart, don't start."
When a female fan shouted her love for Rodriguez, he retorted: "I know it was the drinks, but I love you back."
