The passing of Redbone's Anthony Bellamy

REDBONE'S TONY BELLAMY 
PASSES ON AT AGE 69

New York, NY – The Native American Music Awards (N.A.M.A.) organization is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Redbone's Anthony Bellamy, who has died on Christmas morning, December 25th, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada with his family by his side. Anthony, or Tony "T-Bone" Bellamy, who attended the 10th Annual Native American Music Awards and was inducted into the N.A.M.A. Hall of Fame with Redbone in 2008, was a Mexican-American Yaqui Indian who became the lead guitarist, pianist and vocalist for the Native American band.. He was a beloved and endearing friend of the "Nammys" since its inception, and will be greatly missed. 

Redbone became established as a Native American rock group in the 1970s. They reached the Top 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in 1974 with the hit song, "Come and Get Your Love."

Originally formed in 1969 in Los Angeles, California by brothers Patrick Vasquez (bass and vocals) and Lolly Vasquez (guitar and vocals), the name Redbone started as a joking reference to a Cajun term for a mixed-race person ("half-breed"). The band's members were of mixed blood ancestry.

According to Patrick Vasquez aka Pat Vegas, it was Jimi Hendrix who talked the musicians into forming an all-Native American rock group and so they signed as the band Redbone to Epic Records in 1969. The band consisted of Patrick Vasquez, Lolly Vasquez, drummer Pete DePoe and Anthony "Tony" Bellamy. Their debut album Redbone was released in 1970.

Redbone played primarily rock music with R&B, Cajun, Jazz, tribal and Latin roots. Their first commercial success was with the single, "Maggie" from their second album, Potlatch, in 1970.  Two other hit singles would follow; "The Witch Queen of New Orleans" in 1971, which went to #21 on the Billboard Hot 100, and their greatest hit song to date, "Come and Get Your Love" in 1974, which went to #5 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Come and Get Your Love", stayed in the Billboard charts for 24 weeks, and was awarded a gold disc by the R.I.A.A. on April 22, 1974.

Tony Bellamy grew up in a family of dancers and musicians and learned to play the flamenco guitar as part of his musical education. Before joining the band Redbone, Tony Bellamy had performed with Dobie Gray, and a was a member of the San Francisco band, Peter and the Wolves, that evolved into the psychedelic band Moby Grape.

In 1998, Tony Bellamy and Patrick Vasquez performed as Redbone at the First Native American Music Awards held at the Foxwoods Casino in Conneticut. 

On October 4, 2008, Tony Bellamy and Patrick Vasquez attended the 10th Annual Native American Music Awards at the Seneca Niagara Hotel & Casino in Niagara Falls, NY as special guests to accept Redbone's induction into the N.A.M.A. Hall of Fame.

Born as Anthony Avila, Tony Bellamy died at age 69.

N.A.M.A. and its Advisory Board contingency would like extend their condolences to the Bellamy family. N.A.M.A. will forever honor this legendary performer who has been both a leading force in the mainstream music industry and an inspiration to the Native American community. 

Visit www.nativeamericanmusicawards.com for more information.