Bob Dylan to launch Asian tour

(AFP/ROGER TURESSON)

Legendary singer-songwriter Bob Dylan will launch an Asian tour in April with stops in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and South Korea, organisers and reports said Wednesday.

Dylan, the reluctant voice for disaffected youth in the 1960s, is due to fly to Taipei for a performance on April 2 after completing his tour of Japan, Taipei-headquartered entertainment company Brokers Brothers Herald said.

The Liberty Times said the 68-year-old folk-rock icon would also appear in Beijing on April 4 before heading to Shanghai on April 6 and Hong Kong on April 8. The dates of his Seoul gig were not specified.

Brokers Brothers Herald would not confirm an Apple Daily report that Dylan's performances in Taipei, Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong and Seoul would cost the company 64 million Taiwan dollars (around 2.0 million US).

Dylan's songs such as "Blowin' in the Wind" and "The Times They Are a-Changin'" became anthems for the civil rights and anti-war movements.