Redbone Co-founder Lolly Vegas Dies

The concept of a native American rock band was a novel one back in 1969, but when Jimi Hendrix (himself part Native American) suggested it to brothers Patrick and Lolly Vasquez, they took the idea and ran with it. They changed their last name to Vegas, and landed a recording contract with Epic Records.

This week, Redbone's lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter Lolly Vegas died of lung cancer at the age of 70. He had not been well ever since he suffered a stroke in 1995.

Vegas (second from right on the album cover) wrote and sang the band's best known song, "Come And Get Your Love" (watch it on YouTube) as well as their first hit, "Maggie." He co-wrote "Witch Queen Of New Orleans" with his brother, Pat.

Tributes from fans, friends and colleagues are at Vegas's MySpace page.

^{Album cover image courtesy Sony}