Tony Bellamy, one of the original members of the Native American rock band Redbone has died.

In keeping with the band's tongue-in-cheek name (a Cajun expression meaning half-breed) Bellamy was a Mexican-American Yaqui Indian. He was a fixture on the San Francisco rock scene in 1969 when, at the urging of Jimi Hendrix, he joined Pat and Lolly Vegas, and Peter DePoe to form Redbone. Bellamy left the band in 1977.

Redbone released seven studio albums between 1970 and 1977. They are best known for the single "Come And Get Your Love" from their 1973 album Wovoka. They have performed and recorded sporadically in recent years, releasing Redbone Live in 1994 and One World in 2005.

Bellamy was 69 when he died of liver failure at a Las Vegas hospital on Christmas Day.

^{Album cover image courtesy Epic Records}

So, which is the bigger news: the fact that Rolling Stones were the fifth highest grossing tour act of the decade, or that they have squelched talk about a possible 2010 tour? Probably a toss-up.

The band issued a statement last night (1/4) in which they announced that they have "no plans at the moment" to tour in 2010. (Note that this wording gives them an out in case they do subsequently announce a tour.) It's a bit unusual for a band to announce it is NOT touring, but the statement was prompted by "recent UK media speculation" about their plans for the new year. Interesting speculation in Daily Mail about the effect on Ronnie Wood's bank account.

As for the top touring acts of the decade (as compiled by Pollstar): Dave Matthews Band was #1, and Bruce Springsteen was just ahead of the Stones at #4.

2009 was U2's year, according to Pollstar's figures, with Springsteen, Elton John/Billy Joel and AC/DC also making the top five of the year.

Other classic rockers who made both lists: Fleetwood Mac, Eagles, Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton and Bob Dylan.

^{Rolling Stones photo by Dave Hogan / Getty Images}

You'll notice I didn't put the word "new" in front of "releases" in the headline. Hey, it's January, okay? You just can't expect all that much new product this time of year. But if you're willing to settle for a slew of remasters, remixes and reissues, then this is your month! Here's what classic rock fans can expect in January 2010.

They say one picture is worth a whole lotta words, and every picture tells a story. Here are stories that were told in pictures in 2009:

• Halftime at the Super Bowl - Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band
For 12 minutes, the Super Bowl was a ballad-free zone

• Rock Hall Class of 2009
Induction ceremony performances in Cleveland

• Glastonbury '09
Celebrating 39 years of outdoor rock

• Woodstock, Then and Now
Side by side, the '69 festival and the '09 anniversary concerts

• Rock Hall 25th Anniversary Concerts
Celebrating the celebration of rock

^{Bruce Springsteen at the Super Bowl photo by Jamie Squire / Getty Images
Jeff Beck at Rock Hall Anniversary photo by Stephen Lovekin / Getty Images}