Radio Songs of Youth: "Come and Get Your Love" Redbone (1974)

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“Come and Get Your Love” is another forgotten hit from my youthful radio listening days. Redbone is the most successful Native American rock band and the only one with a top 10 hit gold single. In fact, I cannot recall another notable Native American group. The band’s origins began with brothers Pat and Lolly Vegas who moved from Fresno to Los Angeles in the 60s and played surf music. They adopted the stage name “Vegas” because producers thought there might be objections over Indians playing surf music. First they were the Vegas Brothers then the Crazy Cajun Cakewalk Band. In 1969, the brothers decided to form an all Native American rock group called Redbone which is the Cajun term for mixed blood. Pat and Lolly were Yaqui, Shoshone and Mexican. Redbone had a minor hit with “The Witch Queen of New Orleans” charting at #21. From the album “Wovoka” and written by Lolly, “Come and Get Your Love” was the band’s peak moment going all the way to Billboard #5. Redbone enjoyed greater success in Europe and by the end of the 70s, had faded from American view. The band never stopped performing. Lolly died a few years ago but Pat soldiers on. Their rock sound was influenced by soul, Cajun and swamp rock. The Vegas brothers had a notable admirer named Jimi Hendrix.