New Attitude To N.Z. Pop Singers

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31047, 30 April 1966, Page 23

New Attitude To N.Z. Pop Singers

It looked at last as if New Zealand artists were going to make it in New Zealand, said a Christ-church-born pop singer, Ray Columbus, in an interview last evening. Mr Columbus, aged 23, has taken a few days, off from touring the North Island to visit his family with his wife and five-month-old daughter, Danielle Lisa.

In the lasf two years he has been to Australia eight times, and has made six tours of the main centres. “When we first went there Australia seemed away ahead of New Zealand as far as audience reaction was concerned. “Since then it has skyrocketed here,” he said. When he toured the country in February with some top overseas singers, Herman’s Hermits and Tom Jones, his reception throughout the country was as good as it was in Australia. “I was amazed—especially in Christchurch. Usually you don’t seem to go as well in your home town.” Until recently New Zealand pop artists did not get the hearing that overseas singers enjoyed in this country. “Basically, everywhere else in the world home boys go over bigger than anyone. But during the last few months things have changed here tremendously—it’s improving all the time. A lot of New Zealand acts are considered on a par

with overseas acts. It’s great to see." How had this change come about? One factor, he considered, was increased publicity through various media. “Generally, magazines never pushed New Zealand artists as much as overseas ones.” Coverage had now improved greatly—“not too much; just enough to help. 1 don’t think we’ll ever get as far as Australia in this, and in one way I hope we don’t.” All the encouragement in Australia made singers more easily satisfied, and was keeping standards down. Another factor was a much larger number of visits by overseas pop singers. Once only the best came here; their shows were a “must” for young people, who felt they could hear local singers any time. Mr Columbus separated from his group, the Invaders, last August, though he has retained a guitarist, Dave Russell. His number “Till We Kissed” won the golden disc award for the top New Zealand hit song last year. He will sing at a Christchurch cabaret tonight, and return to the North Island on Monday for further touring performances.

The television series, “Swinging Safari,” in which he is one of the comperes, will start in Christchurch this evening.