Starting out as a fairly accomplished outfit in the style of Cliff Richard and The Shadows, Ray Columbus and The Invaders hit the top of the charts in both New Zealand and Australia with She’s a Mod in 1964.
A cover of an obscure British beat single by the equally obscure Senators, it took obvious inspiration from The Beatles‘ She Loves You with its “yeah-yeah” chorus, but it was a strong harmony rocker that was one of the biggest singles of the ’60s in Australia.
The group managed a few more New Zealand hits, but couldn’t crack Australia in as big a way again and called it a day in 1966.
Ray Columbus tried to break in the States as a solo artist for a year or two, recording the collectable psychedelic Kick Me single with a California group called The Art Collection.
Ray Columbus died on 29 November 2016, aged 74, after a four-year battle with ill health.
Ray Columbus
Vocals Dave Russell
Guitar, vocals Wally Scott
Guitar Billy Kristian
Bass, vocals Jimmy Hill
Drums Puni Solomon
Bass Peter Ward
Drums Brian Ringrose
Guitar Mac Jamieson
Bass
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A cover of an obscure British beat single by the equally obscure Senators, it took obvious inspiration from The Beatles‘ She Loves You with its “yeah-yeah” chorus, but it was a strong harmony rocker that was one of the biggest singles of the ’60s in Australia.
