Died On This Date (December 25, 2010) Tony “T-Bone” Bellamy / Redbone

themusicsover December 25, 2009 4 Comments

Tony “T-Bone” Bellamy (Born Anthony Avila)
September 12, 1940 – December 25, 2009

Tony Bellamy is best remembered as the one-time lead guitarist for the Native American rock band, Redbone.  Formed in 1969, the band achieved its most success during the early ’70s.  In 1974 they scored their biggest hit single with “Come and Get Your Love,” which reached the top 5 on the Billboard singles chart.  Prior to his days with Redbone, Bellamy played with Dobie Gray and the pre-Moby Grape band, Peter and the Wolves.  He left Redbone in 1977 and went on to form his own group, Bimbam.  He reunited with Redbone for special events in later years.  Tony Bellamy was 69 when he died of liver failure on Christmas Day, 2009.  Lolly Vegas, Redbone’s founding lead singer died the following March.

Thanks to Crag Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.