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Ray Columbus

In the ’60s, few numbers were bigger or even more respected on the brand new Zealand rock and roll scene than Ray Columbus. A solid vocalist and a powerful frontman, Columbus was the 1st NZ designer to land lots one single internationally. Columbus was also among the 1st Kiwi acts to produce a dent in the American music picture, and continued to an extended, successful television profession. Raymond John Patrick Columbus was created and elevated in Christchurch, New Zealand, and became a rock and roll & roll lover after landing employment selling snow cream at a cinema. The swagger and charisma of Elvis Presley in Jailhouse Rock and roll had a robust impact on youthful Ray, and he shaped his initial band at age group 14. In 1960, Columbus became the business lead singer using a combo known as the Downbeats. The group arrived gigs at an American armed forces bottom, where they found on U.S. rock and roll and R&B strikes of your day that were small known in the Antipodes. The Downbeats’ sound toughened up because they obtained a more powerful R&B edge, plus they developed into Ray Columbus & the Invaders. By 1962, that they had end up being the most discussed music group in Christchurch, and got their own display on NZ tv, Club Columbus. A small number of gigs in Auckland resulted in a record cope with Zodiac Information, and Ray Columbus & the Invaders produced their debut on vinyl fabric in 1963. That 12 months, they released their 1st solitary, “Money Enthusiast” b/w “Therefore in Like,” accompanied by the recording Every Nite. The group’s 1964 cover from the Beatles’ “I Wanna Become Your Man” was successful, nonetheless it was with “She’s a Mod” that Columbus and organization found their personal sound. In 1964, “She’s a Mod” became a significant strike in Australia, likely to number one around the singles graphs, leading to considerable Aussie touring. (It had been also released in america by Phillips, where it grazed underneath from the singles graphs.) In 1965, the Invaders became a member of the Rolling Rocks and Roy Orbison on an enormous tour of Australia and New Zealand, where in fact the headliners had been apparently impressed by the starting act. After liberating the EP YOU NOW Shake a couple of months later on, Columbus & the Invaders strike the road once again, this time using the Dave Clark Five. 1965 also noticed the discharge of “Til We Kissed,” a reworking of Arthur Alexander’s “Where ARE YOU,” which became one of the primary New Zealand strikes ever. In 1966, Columbus released a solo profession following the Invaders had been rejected visas to tour america. After a tour of New Zealand with Herman’s Hermits, Columbus relocated to America (his wife’s dad was a U.S. resident, paving just how to get a green credit card). Settling in SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA, Columbus began dealing with a local music group known as the Artwork Collection, and was agreed upon to a little label, Colstar Information. He cut an record with the Artwork Collection, SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA International Pop Celebration (named to get a Colstar event), and a one, “Kick Me” b/w “Snap Crackle Pop.” Nevertheless, Columbus had small success in the us, so when he was provided the chance to web host a pop music present in New Zealand, C’mon, he jumped at the opportunity. Columbus continuing to record and tour in his homeland, launching music by himself aswell as composing and creating for other works. In time, nevertheless, he became most widely known as a regular performer on New Zealand tv, hosting several music and range shows. One of these, That’s Nation, crossed to American viewers when it had been found for U.S. broadcast around the Nashville Network. In 2007, a heart stroke paralyzed the majority of Columbus’ correct part, halting his carrying out profession, and in 2014 he was reported to become near death. Nevertheless, in 2016, he was still alive to celebrate the discharge of YOU NOW Shake, a assortment of his greatest recordings from the ’60s.

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