It is during March 1983 that Peter Tosh takes his Mama Africa global tour to Australia and New Zealand. Here is a listing of the Australian dates and venues to the best of our knowledge:
MARCH 10 HORDERN PAVILLION SYDNEY AUSTRALIA
MARCH 11 HORDERN PAVILION SYDNEY AUSTRALIA
MARCH 14 MYER MUSIC BOWL MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA
MARCH 15 MYER MUSIC BOWL MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA
MARCH 17 ADELAIDE THEADRON ADELAIDE SOUTH AUSTRALIA
MARCH 18 ADELAIDE THEADRON ADELAIDE SOUTH AUSTRALIA (VENUE CHANGE FROM THEBARTON THEATRE)
MARCH 21 ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE PERTH AUSTRALIA
MARCH 24 FESTIVAL HALL BRISBANE AUSTRALIA
MARCH 25 FESTIVAL HALL BRISBANE AUSTRALIA
MARCH 27 BRUCE SPORTS CENTRE CANBERRA AUSTRALIA
MARCH 28 CIVIC THEATRE NEWCASTLE AUSTRALIA
What I have included here are scans from the Australian tour programme that were sent to me by MIDNIGHT RAVER’S own Fred ‘Reggaelover’ P. There are several things that are intriguing about the program. However, for me, the most interesting thing about it is that it gives the details of all of the supporting acts for the tour.
The Jamaica Gleaner gives a more detailed tour date listing for the Australian leg which includes additional dates not included in the programme. Considering the article was published 3 days before the Australian leg of the tour, and the programme was prepared much earlier, I have to believe that the extra dates were actually performed. However, there is no way to be sure.
Eddie Quansah and King Cobra. The first is Australia’s Eddie Quansah and King Cobra. Eddie Quansah, from Ghana, West Africa, is a master of both traditional drumming and trumpet. He achieved international acclaim in the 60′s and 70′s working with such legends as Jimmy Cliff, Toots and the Maytalls, Cat Stevens, Johnny Nash, Brian Ferry, the late Bob Marley and Osibisa. They opened for Tosh in Sydney and Brisbane.
Randy Borquaye and the Roots. Randy Borquaye, also from Ghana, arrived in Australia in 1979 and worked in a biscuit factory to support his love for music. They open for Tosh in Sydney.
No Fixed Address is an Australian Aboriginal reggae group formed in 1979. After the success of the Peter Tosh tour No Fixed Address becomes the first Aboriginal band to travel overseas becoming cultural ambassadors for their people while touring the United Kingdom and playing at nine cities including London, Bristol, Leeds, Plymouth and Manchester.
