Redbone – Nostalgia Central

Brothers Pat and Lolly Vegas formed Redbone in Los Angeles in 1969. The name is a Louisiana term for a person of mixed race, which the band adopted to signify their mixed ancestry.

The Vegas brothers were of Yaqui, Shoshone, and Mexican heritage, and all members of the group during their commercial peak were of Mexican American and Native American heritage. This was heavily reflected in their songs, stage regalia, and album art.

Their self-titled debut album was released on Epic Records in 1970, but their first commercial success came with their Message from a Drum album (1971), which contained the hit single Witch Queen of New Orleans (1971).

Subsequent single Come and Get Your Love made it to #5 in the US in 1973. That same year, Redbone released the politically oriented We Were All Wounded at Wounded Knee, recalling both the massacre of Lakota Sioux Indians by the 7th Cavalry Regiment in 1890 and the 71-day Wounded Knee Occupation that occurred a few months before the song’s release.

The single charted in several European countries and reached the #1 position in the Netherlands, but did not chart in the US, where it was initially withheld from release due to lyrical controversy and then banned by several radio stations.

Pete DePoe left this band in 1972 and was replaced initially by Arturo Perez, and later by Tony Bellamy’s cousin, Butch Rillera.

Bellamy left the band in 1977, with Rillera leaving shortly after. Many new members joined Redbone after Lolly Vegas suffered a stroke that left him unable to tour.

Pat Vegas remained the only original member throughout. In 2018, Pat Vegas was awarded the “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the Indigenous Music Awards.

Tony Bellamy died of liver failure on Christmas Day 2009 at a hospital in Las Vegas. He was 63.

Lolly Vegas died of lung cancer at his family home in Reseda, California, on 4 March 2010, at the age of 70.

Lolly Vegas
Lead guitar, vocals
Tony Bellamy (Robert Anthony Avila)
Rhythm guitar, vocals
Pat Vegas
Bass, vocals
Pete DePoe
Drums
Arturo Perez
Drums
Butch Rillera
Drums