Redbone

Redbone occupies a unique and vital position in American music history as the first Native American rock band to achieve major commercial success on the Billboard charts. Formed by brothers Pat and Lolly Vegas (born Vasquez), the group emerged from the Los Angeles session scene where the brothers had already established themselves as formidable songwriters and performers.

Their sound identity is a complex 'swamp rock' hybrid, blending R&B, funk, and Cajun influences with North American indigenous musical traditions. A key technical hallmark of their sound is the 'King Kong' beat, a drumming style pioneered by Peter DePoe that utilized heavy polyrhythms and syncopation, predating many standard funk tropes. Lolly Vegas's use of the Leslie speaker for guitar amplification further distinguished their sonic palette, providing a liquid, psychedelic edge to their bluesy riffs. While often remembered for their massive 1974 hit 'Come and Get Your Love,' the band was deeply political, notably with the track 'We Were All Wounded at Wounded Knee,' which was a major hit in Europe but faced censorship in the US. Their career arc represents a successful navigation of the 70s industry while maintaining a fierce commitment to their cultural roots through stage regalia and lyrical themes of indigenous struggle and spirituality.