Ray Columbus and The Invaders

[Bill Bowley]

Just a bit to clear up the sidetrack that John Boyd, 'Roach and I were discussing 'off topic' in the 'New Tricks' thread. For those who don't know, they were one of the top Kiwi groups of the '60's. Note the BURNS bass!

[John Boyd]

Bill,
Thanks for posting that old TV track by Ray Columbus.
Till We Kissed (aka Where Have You Been) won the Golden Disc Award (Top Kiwi 45) in 1965.
It was produced by John Hawkins, who prior to coming out to NZ, had produced some material by UK instro group the Scorpions.
Ray Columbus and The Invaders also toured with many overseas stars including Roy Orbison and The Rolling Stones
on the latter's first Oceania tour in early 1965.
The Invaders were a fine instrumental group and among the tracks they recorded were, Theme from Dr No, Kupow, Cats Eyes,
Spanish Holiday, Autumn Leaves and a live version of Flingel Bunt.
Cheers,
JB

[Bill Bowley]

John,

I was listening to "Cat's Eyes' today as a metter of fact (note the Kiwi translation of 'matter' there! - spelling mistake really...), not too sure of the sound they were after there, bit of a cross between 'Sounds Incorporated' (without the brass) and Surf Music I guess - how did it go chartwise?

Here's their release of Dr No, worth a listen methinks:

[John Boyd]

Bill,
Cat's Eyes was a cover ( and IMHO much better) of a title recorded by the UK group The Ted Taylor Four (their version can be found on the Trev Faull compilation CD 'Brit Pop Instros'. The Invader's version was the 'B' side of Ray Columbus's first moderately successful hit 'I Wanna Be Your Man' - yes, that Lennon - McCartney compositon and early chart entry frpm the Rolling Stones. Columbus made the NZ Top 20 and Aussie Top 40 with the song.

Cheers,
JB

[Bill Bowley]

John,

Thanks for that info! I think their 'signature tune' was 'She's a Mod' as far as Australia goes - I always thought that was an original too, however I believe it was originally by UK group 'The Senators' which had John Bonham as drummer, who of course went on to 'better things'! Anyway, the man introducing this clip might give some idea of where the group was travelling in those days (apologies for the quality of the clip).

[cockroach]

John, I wonder what that 12 string guitar was in the first clip? Was it an NZ model? I know Jansens were very much in evidence in NZ back then , and a few crossed the ditch into Australia in the '60s too!

BTW...Don't know the name of the bass player with the Burns bass, but I saw him playing a red Vox Wyman bass with Max Merritt and the Meteors in Sebastians in Melbourne, New Year's Eve 1966..! (The support band was The Purple Hearts from Brisbane with the legendary Lobby LLoyd on lead with his customised Jaguar...)

Thanks for the clips John and Bill also!

Cheers from Adelaide South Australia..

[John Haldane]

HI
what a coincidence the group I played bass also a Burns for in the 60's where also called The Invaders, we came from Buckinghamshire.
John H

[John Boyd]

John (roach),
As far as I can tell, the 12 string was not a Jansen (looks more like a Gibson to me).
The Jansen 12 string that I am familiar with, was a solid with a strat style body.
Billy Kristian was the bass player. He was in an early 60's Meteors, then joined The Invaders.
When he and drummer Jimmy Hill left in the late 60's to rejoin the Meteors, the Invaders ceased to exist.
Cheers,
JB

[cockroach]

John

I agree, the body etc looks a bit like a Gibson Les Paul, but the 12 string headstock shape isn't a Gibson- maybe it was a custom job...

I recall well the NZ made Jansen Invader 6 and 12 string models- the Librettos from NZ used a 12 string model and covered Paul Revere & The Raiders song 'Kicks' and as I had a 12 string electric in my trio at that time, we covered the song, with its main 12 string lead riff.

I also recall hearing Cat's Eyes by the Invaders as well...good stuff!

[Alan Taylor]

Re John Hawkins:
Can anyone help with his whereabouts? I know that The Scorpions would like to get back in touch.
General replies welcome here, but if you have any specific info please PM me.
Thanks
Alan