Ray Columbus was born in 1942. Throughout a career spanning more than four decades, he has won every major award in New Zealand show business and was the first pop star to be awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for Services to New Zealand. In 2009, Ray Columbus and The Invaders were presented with the Legacy Award at the New Zealand Music Awards, and inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame. He passed away in 2016.

Columbus debuted on Christchurch Television in 1961, performing solo on early light entertainment showcase Time Out for Talent.  American producer John Nash suggested Columbus might host a new show, but he thought the band needed to change its name.  The following February the newly-reconstituted Ray Columbus and The Invaders began fronting four episodes of Club Columbus, which was syndicated throughout the country.  At that time, Ray Columbus was 19 years-of-age. - From rockhappenz.com