Ray Columbus

Raymond John Patrick Columbus (4 November 1942 – 29 November 2016) was a New Zealand Benny Award-winning singer and songwriter, television host, music manager and entertainer, with a career spanning six decades. As a lead singer for the band Ray Columbus & the Invaders, his best-known hit was "She's A Mod" in 1964.

Early years Columbus attended Xavier College in Christchurch and studied tap, but was more interested in the rock and roll of the era and formed his first band, The Dominoes, in 1959.

Music career Columbus got his big break playing with the Downbeats Band, which later became Ray and the Drifters. He relocated to Auckland when he was offered a TV show titled Club Columbus, whereupon he changed the band's name to Ray Columbus & the Invaders in 1964. The Invaders were known for their Fender guitars, dance moves and lavish clean-cut outfits. In 1964, the Invaders released their best-known song, "She's a Mod". The track was written by British musician Terry Beale for his group The Senators, but was not a hit. However, "She's A Mod" became a number one hit in Australia – the first song from a New Zealand group to reach the top of the charts in another country. In 1965, the band released the single "Till We Kissed", which sold fifty thousand units. It was a retitled version of "Where Have You Been (All My Life)", originally recorded by Arthur Alexander in 1962, and also performed by The Beatles during their Hamburg days. He was also a noted music manager, mentoring artists such as singer Suzanne Lynch. In the late 1990s, he managed the rock band Zed.

As a solo artist, Columbus performed at Redwood 70, the first major modern music festival held in New Zealand, toured with The Rolling Stones, Roy Orbison and The Newbeats, as well as playing Royal Variety Performances and being an opening act of the 1974 New Zealand Commonwealth Games.

Personal life Columbus released a biography in 2011, which stated that he had smoked for years and was a heavy drinker. He suffered a heart attack in 2004, and a stroke in 2007 that left him partially paralysed. In April 2014, he was reported to be terminally ill, from an immune deficiency condition caused by medication.

Columbus died at his Snells Beach, North Auckland, residence on 29 November 2016, at the age of 74, after a "four-year battle with ill health". He was survived by his wife and two children.

Discography

Solo studio albums Title Details The Ray Columbus Album Released: August 1966 Label: Impact (IMP 103) Format: LP Hit Tracks Released: 1969 Label: Polydor (621006) Format: LP Jangles, Spangles & Banners Released: 1972 Label: Family (FLY 206) Format: LP Happy Birthday Rock 'n' Roll (with The Stargazers) Released: 1976 Label: RCA Victor (VPLI-0131) Format: LP

Compilation albums Title Details His 14 Greatest Hits Released: 1974 Label: Family (MFLY 220) Format: LP, Cassette The Solo Years Released: 2004 Label: EMI (5712812) Format: CD Now You Shake Released: 2016 Label: RPM Records (RETRO 976) Format: CD

Singles

Honours and awards In 1973, Columbus received the Benny Award from the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand Inc, the highest honour available to a New Zealand variety entertainer. In the 1974 Queen's Birthday Honours, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, for services to entertainment. In 1990, Columbus received the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal for his promotion of New Zealand overseas.

Aotearoa Music Awards The Aotearoa Music Awards (previously known as New Zealand Music Awards (NZMA)) are an annual awards night celebrating excellence in New Zealand music and have been presented annually since 1965.