Ray Columbus

In the '60s, few figures were bigger or more respected on the New Zealand rock scene than Ray Columbus. A strong singer and a dynamic frontman, Columbus was the first NZ artist to land a number one single in another country. Columbus was also one of the first Kiwi acts to make a dent in the American music scene, and went on to a long, successful television career. Raymond John Patrick Columbus was born and raised in Christchurch, New Zealand, and became a rock & roll fan after landing a job selling ice cream at a movie theater. The swagger and charisma of Elvis Presley in Ja...