Tony Bellamy
Redbone's lead guitarist
Tony was the lead guitar player of Redbone.
He brought this particular sound and wonderfull solos on almost all Redbone albums (except Cycles)
Tony Bellamy was born Anthony Avila, the 12th september 1946.
Tony is a Yaqui Indian who did performed with Dobie Gray, and was a member of Peter and the Wolves (a San Francisco band that evolved into the psychedelic band Moby Grape) during the sixties. Bellamy had grown up in a family of dancers and musicians. His mother and stepfather were dancers for TV-shows, movies and various acts. His brothers and sisters were all involved in the music business. He learned to play flamenco guitar as part of his musical education, playing every weekend in his family’s restaurant in Santa Ana, CA.
Tony met the Vegas brothers in a Los Angeles nightclub named Gazzarri's. He was recruited by them to accompany them on session work with Odetta, John Lee Hooker, and the Everly Brothers before they founded Redbone with him. He took the role of lead guitarist in the band and sometimes even played keyboards.
Tony Bellamy continued to work with Butch Rillera throughout the 1980s. Together they created one of the hottest local bands in Orange County, CA, Bim Bam. You can listen how great this band was here. It was a 14 piece R & B band that drew massive attention every Monday night at Medleys (Bill Medley's club in Fountain Valley).
In the 90’s Bellamy and Pat Vegas continued to work the Native American casino circuit with a group of supporting musicians.
Tony continued to play music all his life long. Often on stage, he dressed with traditional indian costumes.
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. Tony 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."
He died on December 25, 2009, at the age of 63, in a Las Vegas hospital as the result of liver failure. Some sources reported that he was born in 1940 and was 69 years of age, but this is incorrect; his family confirmed that he originally used a birth year of 1940 so that he could legally play in the clubs.