December 01, 2016
Columbus brought polish to NZ music
A Maori showband veteran says the late Ray Columbus lifted standards in New Zealand music through his professionalism and energy.
The singer known as the modfather died in Monday aged 74 after a long illness.
His career highlights included being the first New Zealand act to top the Australian charts with She’s a Mod in 1964, and being the first New Zealand group to record an entire album of their own songs.
Billy Peters from the Maori Volcanics says he remembers the buzz around Auckland in 1962 when Ray Columbus and the Invaders moved up from Christchurch.
"It was just like a whole new breath of air came to the city when Ray and the Invaders. Such a wonderful group. Ray was such a vibrant guy and infectious and everyone wanted to be thee with him and listen to his music. He was a great inspiration to us all and how
Billy Peters says he still uses tricks on stage he learned from watching Ray Columbus.
Copyright © 2016, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com