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Redbone Guitarist Tony Bellamy Dies at 69
- Posted on Jan 5th 2010 12:00PM by John D. Luerssen
Tony Bellamy, guitarist and singer for the 1970s band Redbone -- best known for its 1974 Top 5 smash 'Come and Get Your Love' -- died on Christmas morning in a Las Vegas hospital. According to Blurt, the 69-year-old musician -- born Anthony Avila -- succumbed to liver failure.Pioneers in the Native American rock movement, the L.A.-based band formed in 1969 with the encouragement of Jimi Hendrix, who suggested that a rock band with their ancestry might do well in the marketplace. Naming themselves after the Cajun term for a mixed-race person, the group, which also featured Pete DePoe and brothers Patrick and Lolly Vasquez, signed with Epic Records and landed chart hits with 'Maggie' and 'The Witch Queen of New Orleans,' in 1970 and 1971 respectively.
Bellamy, a Mexican-American Yaqui Indian, was inducted into the Native American Music Awards Hall of Fame in 2008 and was an ardent supporter of the organization. In a statement reacting to his death, N.A.M.A. said it was "deeply saddened to learn of the passing. Anthony, or Tony "T-Bone" Bellamy ... He was a beloved and endearing friend of the 'Nammys' since its inception, and will be greatly missed."
Prior to his work with Redbone, which he left in 1977, Bellamy performed with San Francisco acts Dobie Gray and Peter and the Wolves, who became Moby Grape.
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Add a Comment
Deborah
REDBONE MISS YOU ALL!
October 20 2012 at 4:30 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Deborah
REDBONE MISS YOU ALL!
October 20 2012 at 4:29 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
STEVE
MEET TONY IN 96 IN O.C. JAM. PLAYED FOR FOR TWO HOURS WITH HIM. I PLAYED AS BEST I COULD FOR HIM.WE SAT AND TALKED ALONG WITH PETE.MEET HIS SON ONE DAY TOO.i WANTED TO SEE HIM AGAIN AFTER I HAD LEARNED FROM A COUSIN OF MINE THAT HE WAS MY COUSIN. i LEARNED TO PLAY GUITAR AND PIANO FROM HIS UNCLE HONDO MY DADS BEST FRIEND AND A VERY DEAR FRIEND OF MINE. I REMEMBER HIS DAD HAD A COMBO TOO I WOULD SIT AND LISTEN AT REHERSALS. OMG WE NEVER KNEW WE WERE RELATED WHEN WE PLAYED TOGETHER.
April 14 2010 at 11:42 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
REB
One time Lolly and I got to hang out with Jessie Edwin Davis, another urban Indian cat, in Venice. Both Lolly and Jess jammed around at Jessie apartment. Jessie would put on a vinyl and they would easily figure out the cords and licks, and they continued into late night. Now I am thinking why they did that and of course they were contesting each other but respectfully through a difficult jazz piece, or out-of-ordinary licks. There were other people hanging around them as well. Of course Jessie is gone too on the same street we hung out.
March 21 2010 at 11:30 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
REB
I hang around with Tony and sometimes Lolly and did urban pow-wow, celeb get-together, late night jam, handing out in downtown LA, or Santa Monica Pier! As UCLA student, the 70's was happy times. Such great time with Tony and his friends. Brother, happy journey to the other side.
March 20 2010 at 9:19 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Michael Fioretti
I remember many times rehearsing at the same place as them (the old S.I.R. Rehearshals on Santa Monica Blvd.) And a couple of times helping to cart stuff for them. I remember he hated "super slinky's" "Man these strings are no good, they're like 'rubber bands' " Makes me laugh. Now I miss those days. May God bless him and his family. I hope people are still singing "Come and Get Your Love" until the Seventh Generation.
January 29 2010 at 6:31 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Butch Rillera
Tony was my cousin and bandmate in Redbone. He was 63 not 69 years old. I was just told by Pete that Lolly is in the hospital, too. Thanks to all our fans for their kind words and condolences. He will be missed.
Butch
Melica Bellamy
1 reply to Melica Bellamy's comment
Tony is my Daddy and he was NOT 69 when he died. He was 63. He was first and foremost MY Father and a wonderful one! We loved unconditionally and shared a lifetime of memories. You have NO idea how missed he is and will always be. I love you Daddy. xoxo Your baby, Melica
January 14 2010 at 4:01 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Richard Goodall
Way to go sis. I wrote the writter of the article to have it changed that did no good though. Dad will be greatly missed.
February 15 2010 at 1:19 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
linguine
wow this brings back many memories. when i first met tony he was playing with the alice in wonderland band, at the red velvet in hollywood. than with the crazy cajin cake walk band headlined by pat and loly vegas. they played after the knickerbockers at the red velvet. everyone had a blast at that club,lots of people sat in it was where the action was. tony was always great put his heart into every song. loved him bunches.
January 07 2010 at 9:46 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Larry
Tony was my brother in law and he was 63 when he passed, NOT 69 as reported
January 07 2010 at 8:36 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
114 Comments