Speak/Sing Native™ Artist Archive

Tom Bee (1941-2024)

Diné (Navajo)

Main Artist Image
Birthplace
Gallup, New Mexico
Pronouns
He / Him
Overview

Adopted at birth, Tom Bee was born and raised in the Navajo reservation border town of Gallup, New Mexico.

Best known as founder and featured artist with the popular 1970s band XIT, Bee's composition (We've Got) Blue Skies was recorded by Michael Jackson and The Jackson 5 on their worldwide hit album Maybe Tomorrow. This success led Tom to an artist, writer, and producer contract with Motown Records.

Professional Information

Genre

Traditional, rock, folk, country

Roles

Entrepreneur, record producer, musician, singer, songwriter, bandleader, evangelist

Instrument(s)

Vocals

Video

XIT: Without Reservation - Tom Bee, Jim Boyd,


Year: 2000
Venue: Live at Mystic Lake Casino - XIT 30 year reunion concert.
Format: Live
Duration: 56:47

Reservation of Education - Tom Bee, Jim Boyd


Year: 1979
Venue:
Format: Audio
Duration: 6:59
Additional Information:

From the album Color Me Red

Tribal Information

Diné (Navajo)


Article 6 of the U.S. Constitution (the Supremacy Clause)

“This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.”