Funeral for Ray Columbus

Ray Columbus pictured in his home at Snells Beach in March. Photo: NZ Herald
Ray Columbus pictured in his home at Snells Beach in March. Photo: NZ Herald

Musician Ray Columbus has been farewelled at a ceremony at St Patrick's Cathedral in central Auckland.

The 74-year-old died in the arms of his wife Linda this week, after a long illness.

Columbus is remembered as New Zealand's first pop star, after he and his band, The Invaders, topped New Zealand and Australian charts in 1964 with the catchy She's a Mod.

The father-of-two's red casket decorated with treble clefts arrived at the church in a blue-grey 1936 Chevy Master Deluxe, to be carried in by seven red-tie wearing pallbearers, including his brothers and a grandson.

Songstress Suzannne Lynch, managed by Columbus, sung Wind Beneath my Wings during the service, which was officiated by Monsignor Bernard Keily.

Fellow musicians Annie Crummer, Frank Stevens and Ray Wolfe were among the mourners.

Born in 1942 in Christchurch, Columbus made his first foray as a young entertainer with tap dancing, but was influenced by American rock and roll while selling ice-creams at the Avon Theatre and watching films like Rebel Without a Cause and Blackboard Jungle.

He formed his first band at the age of 14, had his first television show at age 20 and She's a Mod topped the charts when he was 22. Later on, he also managed bands.

Columbus was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1974.

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