"Redbone was founded in the late 1960s by brothers Pat and Lolly Vegas, who were of Yaqui and Shoshone heritage. Their musical journey began well before Redbone, as they worked as session musicians for legendary artists like Jimi Hendrix, Tina Turner, Sonny & Cher, and James Brown. However, Hendrix himself encouraged them to embrace their Native roots and create a band that celebrated their heritage. Taking this advice, the Vegas brothers formed Redbone—named after a Cajun term for mixed-race ancestry—as a tribute to their identity and culture.

"Drummer Pete DePoe and guitarist/singer Tony Bellamy filled out the original band.

"Redbone's music is a vibrant fusion of rock, funk, R&B, and Native American rhythms, creating a sound unlike anything heard before in mainstream rock. Their ability to weave tribal percussion, chants, and themes of Native American pride into their music made them pioneers in a genre that, at the time, had little Indigenous representation." (source)

• Pat Vegas – bass, vocals, percussion (1969–1977, 1997–        )

• Arturo Perez – drums, recorded on their album Already Here (1972)
• Butch Rillera – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1973–1977)
• Aloisio Aguilar – keyboards, joined the band on their albums Cycles (1977) and Live (1994)
• Tracy Lee Nelson – guitar, vocals (early 1990s)
• Eddie Summers - drums on Live (1994)

1968 - ?

rock, funk, R&B, and Native American rhythms

Musicians, recording artists, songwriters

Bass, Drums, Guitar, Vocals