Saying goodbye to Ray Columbus

Musician Ray Columbus was farewelled this morning at a ceremony at St Patrick's Cathedral in central Auckland.

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

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.

New Zealand entertainer Ray Columbus pictured in his home at Snells Beach in March this year. Photo / Brett Phibbs

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

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

As well as Elvis Presley's Glory, Glory Hallelujah there will be a musical performance of She's a Mod, accompanied by the congregation.

Longtime friend Max Cryer spoke at the start of the service about Columbus' early life.

Columbus, the first pop star in the Commonwealth to be made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1974, had been ill for some time before his death.

The 1936 Chevy Master Deluxe that delivered Ray Columbus to the cathedral.

Many spoke during the service of Columbus' professionalism and drive, but also his generosity towards others.

Fellow Invader Billy Karaitiana said he had been friends with Columbus since 1958, and shared memories of their early years.

"The thing I loved about Ray, in all the time I knew him, was his positivity. He always took the lead. He was tough on us, he was a great leader."

Friend Ant Healey spoke about Columbus' "impeccable stylishness" and his energy and enthusiasm.

Musical tributes were, unsurprisingly, a significant part of today's service.

Karaitiana and a young musician mentored by Columbus performed Columbus' signature hit, She's a Mod.

Elvis Presley's Glory, Glory Hallelujah filled the neo-gothic cathedral and Columbus' casket was carried from the service to his 1965 hit Till We Kissed.

Outside, church bells tolled as friends and family said their final goodbyes.

Ray Columbus pictured in Christchurch 10 years ago. Photo / File

Singer Annie Crummer told the New Zealand Herald she had known Columbus since she was nine-years-old and he spotted her on a show called Opportunity Knocks.

"He's come in and out of my life ever since, with his advice. He could be so helpful."
Service was the right word to describe his final farewell, she said.

"That word service - he certainly served his purpose in this little dot in the universe."

Another friend from the musical world, Shane Hales, spoke of his decades long friendship with Columbus.

The pair met in the 1960s, when Columbus was Hales manager and the pair performed on TV music show C'mon.

"I remember him as a very generous man, with his talents and enthusiasm, and it was all to help me, not him."

Born in 1942, in Christchurch, he 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 his stellar hit, She's a Mod, topped the charts when he was 22.

The news of his death this week sent tributes flowing, from friends, family, fans and fellow musicians.