UPDATED 4.28PM  A kiwi musician who toured with the likes of the Rolling Stones and Roy Orbison has been farewelled in Auckland.

The funeral of legendary musician Ray Columbus has come to an end at Auckland's St Patrick's Cathedral.

Speeches were heard inside the church from Max Cryer, Billy Karaitaina, Ant Healey, Jackie Crossman, Jeff Attwell and Tina Sainato.

Fellow Invader Karaitiana said he had been friends with Columbus since 1958, and shared memories of their early years.

"The thing I loved about Ray, in all the time I knew him, was his positivity. He always took the lead. He was tough on us, he was a great leader."

Movers and shakers from the music industry farewelled him in style and commended what has been a very star-studded life.

A musical score detailed his coffin, which was bright red to match the suit he wore at so many performances.

Amongst the delightful stories told at the service, he was described as quite the character, but someone who always got down to business.

Entertainer Frankie Stevens said his passing means one of New Zealand's Rangitira of music has departed.

"A lot of what Ray Columbus stood for, a lot of what he did over 50 - 60 years was unbelievable."

Mr Stevens said many New Zealanders don't actually realise the global contribution Ray made to music.

"But people in the industry know, especially ones that grew up with Ray and a lot of the new musos, and the APRA song-writing people know exactly what his contribution has been, and so he is going to be missed."

His explosion to fame coincided with a considerable change in fashion - clothing and haircuts went in opposite directions and Ray came along at just the right time.

Bobi Petch was the secretary to Dinah Lee, who was known as the Queen of the Mods.

Ms Petch said Ray Columbus lifted New Zealand's musical reputation with Till We Kissed and She's A Mod.

"He was wonderful, he put us on the map, when he recorded 'Til When Kissed' that was absolutely huge, and so too was the 'She's a Mod'."

Singer Annie Crummer said she met Ray Columbus when she was nine-years-old when he spotted her on a show called Opportunity Knocks.

She said he certainly served his purpose and his helpful advice will be greatly missed.

Karaitiana and a young musician mentored by Columbus performed Columbus' signature hit, She's a Mod.

And when it finally came time for his last goodbye, the audience responded as they have at so many of his events - applause erupted as his casket was carried back out of the church.

Sir Howard Morrison, Elvis Presley and Celine Dion were among the artists used to farewell him.

Presley's Glory, Glory Hallelujah filled the neo-gothic cathedral and Columbus' casket was carried from the service to his 1965 hit Till We Kissed.

The 74-year-old died in the arms of his wife Linda this week, after a long illness.

Ray Columbus leaves behind two children, three grandchildren and his wife of 25 years, Linda.

He had previously been married to Levonne, an American.

Additional reporting by The New Zealand Herald