Lolly Vegas


Lolly Vegas was a Native American-Mexican musician. He played in numerous ensembles which include Pat & Lolly Vegas, the surf group The Avantis and the Native American rock group Redbone. He and his brother have Yaqui, Shoshone and Mexican heritage.

Background

Candido Albelando Vasquez-Vegas was born in Fresno, California on October 2, 1939. Both Lolly and his brother Pat played in local bands. They changed their last name to Vegas when they relocated to Los Angeles in 1963 to pursue their musical career.
In the early days he performed with his brother Pat as The Vegas Brothers. After that they formed the group Redbone which is remembered for the 1974 hit, "Come and Get Your Love".

Career

Together with brother Pat, Lolly led a band called The Avantis. The ensemble also consisted of drummer Mike Kowalski and guitarist Danny Hamilton. They became a support act for the Beach Boys. The Avantis did some work with Judd Hamilton who was the arranger and co-composer on their records. In 1963 The Avantis had a minor hit with Wax 'Em Down. The single was distributed in Canada by Sparton of Canada Ltd where it made the charts. On October 12, 1963, Canada's C-FUNTASTIC FIFTY recorded the single's chart status as having moved up one notch from the previous weeks position of 36 to 37, putting it right behind "Fools Rush In" by Rick Nelson.
Vegas co-wrote the Rick Lancelot and the Peppermint Sticks single "Sick Chick" / "Ain't That Soul" which was released in 1964. Rick Lancelot was in fact Ricky Lancelotti. He wrote "Love Will Make You Crawl" for Cliff Wagner which was the B side to his 1966 single, "Exception to the Rule".
In 1969, along with his brother Pat, rhythm guitarist Tony Bellamy and drummer Pete DePoe he formed the band Redbone, for which he was the lead singer. The band produced the hit singles "Maggie", "The Witch Queen of New Orleans" and "Come and Get Your Love".

Death

Vegas died in Reseda, Los Angeles on March 4, 2010 from cancer.

Solo discography