For every Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Arlo Guthrie, Gil Scott-Heron, John Prine or Donovan that emerged from the protest-poetry/acid-basted folk-rock movement, there are hundreds more who sparkled for an instant and then hissed to nothingness. More than a few of these were doubtlessly worthy of bigger fame.

One of those would be Rodriguez, a street poet/musician from Detroit who, in the early '70s, released two dismal-selling but interesting albums, "Cold Fact" and "Coming from Reality." Each contained some true melodic and observational gems, but that was pretty much it for his career.

Except it wasn't.

Unbeknownst to the artist, by 1980, his albums had gradually earned cult status in Australia. Then, oddly, two decades later in South Africa, a similar rise in popularity occurred. In certain parts of the world, then, and long past time when he'd given up music, Rodriguez was a minor star. As such, he dusted off his guitar and began to tour his fan bases.

Rodriguez's profile expanded in even greater fashion in 2012 when "Searching for Sugarman," a documentary about the efforts of two ardent South African Rodriguez fans to track their hero down, was distributed worldwide to much critical approval. Amazing.

Wanna see what all the long-forestalled magic's about?

Rodriguez performs Friday at the Garde Arts Center. He hasn't released any new material since the original two discs, but American audiences are happy since they weren't familiar to begin with. The word is he puts on a warm and engaging show.

Rodriguez, 8 p.m. Friday, Garde Arts Center, 325 State St., New London; $48-$85; (860) 444-7373.