"An entertaining graphic novel about a band of influential Native rock stars and civil rights activists.

Readers will enjoy learning the origin story of classic rock band Redbone, recently known for their hit “Come and Get Your Love” from the soundtrack of The Guardians of the Galaxy. Structured as an oral history recounted by Pat Vegas to his adult daughter, the story of Pat and his brother Lolly Vegas reveals their influential presence on the Sunset Strip beginning in the 1960s. From inspiring Jim Morrison and The Doors to conceiving of an all-Indian band with the encouragement of Jimi Hendrix, Redbone battled prejudice to be a part of the classic rock scene in America. Using their prominence as an avenue to support social justice, the band was integral to struggles for civil rights and the American Indian Movement. Including memories of the occupation of Alcatraz Island and the second Wounded Knee, this important story serves both as history and family love story. Frequently drawn without panels, free-floating illustrations are color coded to clarify the time periods discussed in the narrative. The drawing style, which feels like a personal sketchbook in places, adds to the charm and digressive nature of the plot. Well-researched and well-paced, this book will introduce a new generation to the music and impact of Redbone.

Musicians with heart put their people before profits in an inspirational tale. (Graphic nonfiction. 12-adult)"

-Kirkus Starred Review

Look what is lost when people are denied the opportunity to share their stories! This not only is rock and roll history but Native American history, too; in Redbone's story the two are inextricable. Fascinating and enlightening; readers and rock fans new to Redbone will be inspired to look up their music. Bravo! Backmatter includes interview with band member Pat Vegas, bibliography, and discography. ( )

*reviewed by uncorrected ARC via netgalley *

diverse graphic nonfiction (music history/social history - Native American rock band from 1960s)
beautiful watercolor and ink artwork recounts the life stories and history behind the rock band, as well as the history of discrimination against Native Americans.
I wasn't able to get the full effect from the digital version viewed on my computer screen (scrolling, waiting, scrolling, waiting, endlessly scrolling, waiting) and eventually gave up.

This was a slower read that took its time to unfold, eventually delving into the history of Indian schools (pp 29-34) and Native American protest (pp 44- ). I didn't find the history of the band to be that interesting, aside from their choice to embrace their native roots, but the social and political history is definitely worth a read.
From the publisher's description: "Created in cooperation of the Vegas family, authors Christian Staebler and Sonia Paolini with artist Thibault Balahy take painstaking steps to ensure the historical accuracy of this important and often overlooked story of America's past. Part biography and part research journalism, Redbone provides a voice to a people long neglected in American history." ( )

The history of the Native American band, Redbone. It’s a more cursory story than I was hoping for, but it does give a little bit of background. I can understand how it needs to be a brief in order to appeal to as large a group of people as possible, not to those who already have background knowledge of AIM and the events described. Good introduction to the band and the art is good, if very loose. Recommended for all. ( )

For me, Redbone has long been a 1970s one-hit wonder for "Come and Get Your Love", most recently featured in Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 1. Inspired by this book, I've been streaming their music this morning while writing reviews and have been enjoying it immensely. I can see why they were big in Europe in the '70s, where they logged several chart-toppers. I'll be adding more of their songs to my daily mix.

A French superfan has co-authored this history of the band with the cooperation of Pat Vegas -- one of the founding members -- and his family. It's a hagiography, glossing over or avoiding entirely any conflicts or other problems within the band. A lot of time is spent in the framing sequence set in the modern day with Pat Vegas and his children having a bit of a love fest. The history of the group sticks to the facts and dates in large, offering up only a few tame anecdotes from the road.

Actually, the group's story is frequently used as a springboard to share the history of the Native American civil rights movement, touching on forced assimilation via residential schools, Wounded Knee, and the American Indian Movement (AIM).

The book is a little weak overall, but I still enjoyed the chance to get more information about Redbone and am grateful for the prompt to more fully explore their catalog. ( )