Babylon By Bus Tour, 1979

Photos and more from the Babylon By Bus Tour of Asia and Oceania

Bob Marley & the Wailers Press Conference at the Airport in Tokyo (1979-04-04)Bob Marley: Legend

Arriving in Japan

As the first mainstream reggae artists ever to tour Japan, local press are eager to get a glimpse of Bob Marley & The Wailers. They are met with a press conference as soon as they get off the airplane right at the airport in Tokyo.

Bob and a Fan (1979-04-05)Bob Marley: Legend

Tokyo, Japan

During the first show at the Shinjuku Kosei Nenkin Hall on April 5, 1979, a fan throws a tie on stage with green, gold and red stripes on it. Bob ended up wearing it through multiple shows on the tour.

Bob Marley live in Tokyo, Japan, 1979-04-05, From the collection of: Bob Marley: Legend
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Below, hear audio snippets from Bob's interview with journalist Kathy Arlyn Sokol at his hotel room in Tokyo.

Bob Marley Live at Kosei Nenkin Hall, Osaka (1979-04-11)Bob Marley: Legend

Osaka, Japan

Bob and the band were invited to a private tour of the Yamaha factory, where they were gifted instruments. Here, Bob with a Yamaha SG1000 during his show on April 11, 1979.

Bob Marley getting on the train from Tokyo to Osaka, 1979-04-11, From the collection of: Bob Marley: Legend
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Live at Festival Hall in Osaka on April 13, 1979. Bob's final show in Japan.

Bob Marley live at the Osaka Festival Hall, in Osaka, Japan, 1979-04-13, From the collection of: Bob Marley: Legend
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Bob Marley live in Osaka, Japan, 1979-04-13, From the collection of: Bob Marley: Legend
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Bob Marley welcomed in New Zealand (1979-04-15)Bob Marley: Legend

The Maori Welcome

Upon arriving in New Zealand, Bob received a ceremonial welcome from the  Maori tribes people. 

Bob Marley welcomed by the Maori people in Auckland, New Zealand (1979-04-16)Bob Marley: Legend

This type of welcome is usually reserved for Heads of State and high ranking foreign officials. Below, watch the official welcoming ceremony from the Maori.

Bob Marley & the Wailers live at the Western Springs Stadium, Auckland New Zealand (1979-04-16)Bob Marley: Legend

Auckland, New Zealand

Bob Marley & The Wailers performed live at Western Springs Stadium on April 16, 1979.

Bob Marley live at the Western Springs Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand (1979-04-16)Bob Marley: Legend

Bob Marley live at the Winter Springs Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand (1979-04-16)Bob Marley: Legend

Below, Bob delivered one of his most iconic interviews with journalist Dylan Taite for the documentary "Come a Long Way."

Bob Marley receives gold records in Australia. (1979-04)Bob Marley: Legend

Kaya Goes Platinum

Just one year after its release, Bob arrived in Brisbane on April 17, 1979 to find that the Kaya has gone platinum across Australia. Watch his interview with TV program "Countdown" below.

Bob Marley Live at Lahaina Civic Center, Maui (1979-05-05)Bob Marley: Legend

Maui, Hawaii

Bob and the band ended the Babylon By Bus Tour with two concerts in Hawaii. The first show was in Maui at the Lahaina Civic Center on May 5, 1979.

Bob Marley Live at the Waikiki Shell, Honolulu (1979-05-06) by Brian BielmannBob Marley: Legend

Honolulu, Hawaii

The second and final show of the tour was at the Waikiki Shell on May 6, 1979.

Bob Marley live in Hawaii (1979-05-06)Bob Marley: Legend

Bob Marley & the Wailers at the Waikiki shell, Hawaii (1979-05-06)Bob Marley: Legend

Bob Marley live at the Waikiki Shell, Honolulu, Hawaii (1979-05-06)Bob Marley: Legend

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