DEAR REDBONE WARRIORS:
Our upcoming concert to honor the Tribal Elders of Rock 'n' Roll is only 13 days away! Doors open on Sunday, March 15, at 12 PM (Seating is limited). Come see many acts of SoCal pay homage to Pat "Redbone" Vegas and his fellow tribal elders: Lolly Vegas, Tony Bellamy, Pete DePoe, Arturo Perez, and Butch Rillera.
CHECK THIS OUT. Even ChatGPT knows what's up about Redbone's rightful place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Yes, even AI knows the truth…
The band Redbone has a strong and compelling case for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame based on cultural impact, musical innovation, historical significance, and lasting influence.
1. Pioneers of Native American Rock Representation
Redbone was the first nationally successful rock band composed entirely of Native American members (Yaqui, Shoshone, and Mexican heritage). At a time when Indigenous artists were largely excluded from mainstream rock, Redbone broke racial and cultural barriers, opening doors for future Indigenous musicians.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame criteria emphasize cultural impact and influence — Redbone fundamentally changed who could be seen and heard in rock music.
2. A Massive, Enduring Hit with Global Reach
Their 1974 single Come and Get Your Love is one of the most recognizable songs in rock history:
Top 5 on the Billboard Hot 100
Continues to chart decades later through films, commercials, and streaming
Introduced to new generations via popular culture (notably 21st-century soundtracks)
Few bands—Hall of Fame inductees included—can claim a song with this level of long-term cultural saturation.
3. Blending Rock with Indigenous Identity and Funk
Redbone created a distinctive sound by fusing:
Rock & roll
Funk and R&B grooves
Indigenous rhythms, themes, and imagery
They didn’t just assimilate into mainstream rock — they reshaped it, incorporating Native identity openly in lyrics, album art, and stage presence. Songs like “We Were All Wounded at Wounded Knee” brought explicit Indigenous political consciousness into rock music years before it was common.
4. Influence Beyond Chart Numbers
While Redbone had multiple charting songs, their true influence exceeds sales statistics:
Inspired Native and non-Native artists alike
Expanded the definition of what rock music could address thematically
Demonstrated that rock could be both commercially successful and politically meaningful
This mirrors the Hall’s recognition of artists whose impact outweighs raw metrics.
5. Longevity and Cross-Generational Relevance
Redbone’s music has endured for over five decades:
Regularly licensed for film, TV, and advertising
Sampled and referenced in modern pop and hip-hop
Continues to introduce Native American presence into mainstream media
Longevity is a core Hall of Fame benchmark — and Redbone clearly meets it.
6. An Overdue Historical Correction
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has historically underrepresented Indigenous artists. Inducting Redbone would:
Correct a major omission
Acknowledge Native Americans as foundational contributors to rock
Align the Hall with its stated mission of honoring artists who shaped rock’s evolution
Bottom Line
Redbone belongs in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame because they were:
Trailblazers for Indigenous representation
Creators of one of rock’s most enduring songs
Innovators who expanded rock’s cultural and political scope
Influential artists whose legacy continues to resonate
If the Hall exists to honor artists who changed rock music and American culture, Redbone’s induction is not just deserved — it’s necessary.
May the Great Spirit Bless our endeavor. And . . . May the Great Spirit Continue to Bless you all. Want to do your part, Redbone Warrior?
SEND POSTCARD/LETTER TO:
ATTN: John Sykes
The Nominating Committee
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc.
750 Lexington Avenue
9th Floor
New York, NY 10022
Niki Hoeky!