Tony Bellamy

Tony "T-Bone" Bellamy (born Robert Anthony Bellamy; September 12, 1946 – December 25, 2009), was born[1][2][3] to parents James Bellamy and Olga Bellamy (nee Avila).[4] He became the lead guitarist, pianist and vocalist for the Native American rock band Redbone in 1968.[5] Bellamy was a Yaqui tribesman with Mexican descent.

Tony Bellamy
Birth nameRobert Anthony Bellamy
Born(1946-09-12)September 12, 1946
Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
DiedDecember 25, 2009(2009-12-25) (aged 63)
Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
GenresRock, pop
Occupation(s)Musician, singer
InstrumentsGuitar
Associated actsRedbone

He grew up in a family of dancers and musicians and learned to play the flamenco guitar as part of his musical education. His younger sister was vocalist Michaelina Bellamy, and his younger brother is Latin percussionist Renaldo "Reno" Bellamy.[6] Before joining Redbone, Bellamy had performed with Dobie Gray, and was a member of Peter and the Wolves (a band from San Francisco that evolved into the psychedelic band Moby Grape).[7][8]

Bellamy left Redbone in 1977.[7][8][9] In the early 1980s, he and his Filipino-Chicano cousin, Butch Rillera formed the R&B band "Bimbam".[9]

In 1998, Bellamy appeared with Pat Vegas in a Redbone special guest performance at the inaugural Native American Music Awards. On October 4, 2008 they appeared at the 10th Annual Native American Music Awards and were inducted into the Native American Music Association Hall of Fame.[10]

Bellamy died on December 25, 2009 in a Las Vegas hospital of liver failure, at age 63.[6] Some sources reported that he was born in 1940, and 69 at the time of his death, but this was incorrect.[11] His family confirmed that he originally used a birth year of 1940, so that he could legally play in the clubs.[3]

References
  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on October 10, 2009. Retrieved October 14, 2008.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. Guerrero, Mark. "Redbone: Cajun Funk with a Touch of Latin Soul". Markguerrero.net. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  3. "Native American Music Awards". Nativeamericanmusicawards.com. April 12, 2010. Archived from the original on April 12, 2010. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  4. "Obituaries for May 3, 2001". Lasvegassun.com. May 3, 2001. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on July 24, 2011. Retrieved December 27, 2009.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. "Claire Voyant - Past Column from December 25, 2009". Lvol.com. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  7. "Redbone - Dictionary definition of Redbone - Encyclopedia.com: FREE online dictionary". Encyclopedia.com. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  8. "Redbone Biography". Musicianguide.com. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  9. "Redbone-History". Web.archive.org. February 27, 2012. Archived from the original on February 27, 2012. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  10. "NAMA 10". Nativeamericanmusicawards.com. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  11. "Influential Native American Musician Tony Bellamy of Redbone Dies in Las Vegas". World Music Central.org. December 29, 2009. Retrieved September 13, 2020.

Further reading
  • Come And Get Your Love: A Celebratory Ode to Redbone (1939-Present) by Pat “Redbone” Vegas, Rehbon Publishing, 2017, 280 pps.
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