1985-1986
September 1985 - February 1986
US PROMO TOUR
USA
1986
July - December 1986
THE "GREATEST LOVE" WORLD TOUR
NORTH AMERICA (35 Shows)
USA, CANADA
EUROPE (4 Shows)
BELGIUM, UNITED KINGDOM
ASIA (7 Shows)
JAPAN
AUSTRALIA (3 Shows)
SETLIST
Wanna Be Starting Something
Eternal Love
You Give Good Love
Hold Me
How Will I Know
Take Good Care Of My Heart
Nobody Loves Me Like You Do
Saving All My Love For You
Someone For Me
I Am Changing
Memories
All At Once
He Is / I Believe
Greatest Love Of All
THE BAND
John Simmons (music conductor/piano)
Rickey Minor (bass guitar)
Curtis Taylor Neishloss (guitar)
Jack Perry (keyboards)
Josh Harris (saxophone)
Brian Brake (drums)
Ohene Kwadwo Larbi (percussion)
Gary Garland (background vocalist)
Felicia Moss (background vocalist)
Voneva Simms (background vocalist)
Billy Baker (background vocalist)
1987/1988
July - December 1987
April - November 1988
THE "MOMENT OF TRUTH" WORLD TOUR
Following the release of "Whitney", Houston began promoting the album with a world tour. She began on July 4 in Tampa, Florida, where she played to over 70,000 people. She returned to the Sunshine State where she ended her North American leg at the Orange County Convention Center in December, 1987.
In Europe, Whitney visited 10 countries, playing to over half a million fans. Houston played nine consecutive nights at Wembley Arena in London. At the same time, the singer had just broken The Beatles record of seven consecutive #1 singles in the US. A party was thrown with guests such as Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, and Clive Davis. Whitney cancelled an Italian concert date after agreeing to fly back to London to pay tribute to a then-imprisoned Nelson Mandela who was celebrating his birthday. Whitney performed a set at Wembley Stadium, playing to over 72,000 fans during the historic event. Following this, Whitney resumed her tour in Italy.
In 1988, she returned from the European leg to perform a benefit concert for the United Negro College Fund on August 28 at Madison Square Garden in New York. It was Whitney`s only North American date during 1988 after playing 89 dates the previous year. The concert raised over $300 million for the UNCF.
The tour was one of the ten highest-grossing tours of the year. The North American leg of the tour alone grossed over $24 million, enough to make her the second highest-earning female entertainer of the year according to Forbes. In addition, the European leg was sold out.
NORTH AMERICA (90 Shows)
USA, CANADA
EUROPE (37 Shows)
THE NETHERLANDS, UNITED KINGDOM, FRANCE, GERMANY, DENMARK, NORWAY, SWEDEN, ITALY, AUSTRIA, SWITZERLAND
ASIA (18 Shows)
JAPAN, HONG KONG
AUSTRALIA (6 Shows)
SETLIST
Didn`t We Almost Have It All
Love Will Save The Day
You Give Good Love
So Emotional
Where Do Broken Hearts Go
Love Is A Contact Sport
How Will I Know
Saving All My Love For You
I Believe
Wonderful Counselor
He`s Alright
(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman
You Send Me
Greatest Love Of All
I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)
THE BAND
John Simmons (music conductor)
Rickey Minor (bass guitar)
Steve Kelly (guitar)
Willard Meeks jr. (keyboards)
Jay Davidson (saxophone)
Gregory Grainger (drums)
Kevin Jones (percussion)
Felicia Moss (background vocalist)
Voneva Simms (background vocalist)
Billy Baker (background vocalist)
THE DANCERS
Frantz Hall
Raymond Delbarrio
Leesa Humphrey
SUPPORT ACT: Jonathan Butler and Kenny G
LIVE SAMPLE
1990
January 1990
THE "FEEL SO RIGHT" TOUR
Whitney`s sold-out concert tour of Japan which began January 1 and concluded January 24, playing 14 dates in 7 cities, was a phenomenal success. The show was really "hot" with a new band performing three new songs from her up-coming nearly completed album, and three all male back-up singers (including Whitney`s brother, Gary).
The Japanese fans snatched up tickets to all her shows in just hours. Even with the heavy concert schedule, Whitney managed to enjoy the pleasures of Far Eastern living, from riding its' world famous Bullet Train which travels up to speeds of 100 miles per hour from Tokyo to Osaka, to tasting the oriental culinary delights like sushi and tempura.
Whitney experienced the full pleasures of Japan. She even did something very Western when on her day off, she and her band members went bowling at the local lanes in Fukuoka. Everyone munched on pizza and had a great time. By the end of the tour, Whitney had picked up many words of Japanese and looks forward to her next voyage to the Far East.
JAPAN (14 Shows)
SETLIST
So Emotional
You Give Good Love
Saving All My Love For You
How Will I Know
Takin`A Chance
Love Medley:
* All At Once
* Didn`t We Almost Have It All
* A House Is Not A Home
* Where Do Broken Hearts Go
All The Man That I Need
Who Do You Love
I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)
Greatest Love Of All
Higher Love
THE BAND
Rickey Minor (musical director, bass guitar, bass synthesizer)
Ray Fuller (guitar)
Bette Sussman, Wayne Lynsey (keyboards)
Kirk Whalum (saxophone)
Ricky Lawson (drums)
Bashiri Johnson (percussion)
Gary Garland (background vocalist)
B. David Whitworth (background vocalist)
Billy Baker (background vocalist)
THE DANCERS
Darrel Wayne Wright
Troy Burgess
1991
March 1991
THE "TAKIN' A CHANCE" TOUR
JAPAN
SETLIST
I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)
So Emotional
Saving All My Love For You
How Will I Know
Love Medley:
* All At Once
* Didn`t We Almost Have It All
* A House Is Not A Home
* Where Do Broken Hearts Go
All The Man That I Need
My Name Is Not Susan
Anymore
Revelation
In Return
Who Do You Love
I`m Your Baby Tonight
Greatest Love Of All
THE BAND
Rickey Minor (musical director, bass guitar, bass synthesizer)
Ray Fuller (guitar)
Bette Sussmann (keyboard)
Michael Bearden (keyboard)
Kirk Whalum (saxophone)
Ricky Lawson (drums)
Bashiri Johnson (percussion)
Gary Garland (background vocalist)
Vonchita Rawls (background vocalist)
Carmen Rawls (background vocalist)
Tiawana Rawls (background vocalist)
LIVE SAMPLE
1991
April - October 1991
THE "I`M YOUR BABY TONIGHT" WORLD TOUR
Whitney embarked on the world tour to support the four-times platinum selling album of the same name. After a successful series of concerts in Japan during March 1991, Whitney returned to the United States to prepare for the world tour. Whitney was initially planned to start the tour in the UK. However, due to the Gulf War, the European leg was rescheduled until the fall. Whitney instead started the tour in the US. She kicked things off with her "Welcome Home Heroes Concert" on March 31 in Norfolk Virginia. The special, which aired on HBO, was dedicated to the troops who were fighting in the Gulf War. All proceeds went to the Red Cross.
The summer of 1991 was considered one of the worst touring seasons ever. Many big names were cancelling dates and playing to low capacities. Houston was no exception. The singer played to low attendances and even cancelled some dates due to poor ticket sales. Experts cited the ongoing recession and financial crisis as the main reason. During the summer, Whitney also developed a throat ailment. As a result, the singer was forced to cancel the end of her Canadian tour to rest her voice.
The tour resumed in late August when Whitney reached the United Kingdom. She played 10 consecutive dates at Wembley Arena in London, surpassing her own record of 9 straight dates at the same arena during the "Moment Of Truth" World Tour, in 1988.
NORTH AMERICA (73 Shows)
USA, CANADA
EUROPE (28 Shows)
THE NETHERLANDS, UNITED KINGDOM, FRANCE, GERMANY, SPAIN
SETLIST
I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)
So Emotional
Saving All My Love For You
How Will I Know
Love Medley:
* All At Once
* Didn`t We Almost Have It All
* A House Is Not A Home
* Where Do Broken Hearts Go
All The Man That I Need
My Name Is Not Susan
Anymore
Revelation
He`s Alright
Who Do You Love
I`m Your Baby Tonight
Greatest Love Of All
THE BAND
Rickey Minor (musical director, bass guitar, bass synthesizer)
Ray Fuller (guitar)
Bette Sussmann (keyboard)
Michael Bearden (keyboard)
Kirk Whalum (saxophone)
Ricky Lawson (drums)
Bashiri Johnson (percussion)
Gary Garland (background vocalist)
Vonchita Rawls (background vocalist)
Carmen Rawls (background vocalist)
Tiawana Rawls (background vocalist)
SUPPORT ACT: Gerald Alston
LIVE SAMPLE
1993/1994
July - November 1993
January - November 1994
THE "BODYGUARD" WORLD TOUR
With the enormous success of "The Bodyguard" movie and soundtrack, Whitney went on an extensive world tour to support her projects. The opening date was in Miami on July 5, 1993. Whitney played five nights at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, and then played six nights at the Sands Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. Most of the shows during this 1993 US leg were in theaters because Whitney wanted an intimate setting.
During the second North American leg in 1994, Houston performed at the closing ceremonies of the 1994 World Cup of Soccer at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Los Angeles. During that time, the singer had throat ailments and had to cancel eight shows during that time, all of which were rescheduled a month later.
The tour was a big success. Many shows were among the highest grossing shows of their week. The grossings helped Whitney make Forbes Magazine`s Richest Entertainers list. Whitney earned over $33 million during 1993 and 1994, the third highest for a female entertainer.
NORTH AMERICA (58 Shows)
USA
ASIA (16 Shows)
JAPAN
EUROPE (34 Shows)
ITALY, SWITZERLAND, GERMANY, SWEDEN, NORWAY, THE NETHERLANDS, UNITED KINGDOM, IRELAND, BELGIUM, SPAIN, FRANCE, AUSTRIA
SOUTH AMERICA (7 Shows)
BRAZIL, CHILE, ARGENTINA, VENEZUELA, PUERTO RICO
SOUTH AFRICA (3 Shows)
SETLIST
Love Will Save The Day
Saving All My Love For You
I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)
How Will I Know
Love Medley:
* All At Once
* Nobody Loves Me Like You Do
* Didn`t We Almost Have It All
* Where Do Broken Hearts Go
* All The Man That I Need
I Have Nothing
Queen Of The Night
I`m Your Baby Tonight
Aretha Franklin Medley:
* (You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman
* Do Right Woman ...
* Ain`t No Way
Revelation
Jesus Loves Me
I Will Always Love You
I`m Every Woman
THE BAND
Rickey Minor (musical director, bass guitar, bass synthesizer)
Carlos Rios (guitar)
Bette Sussmann (keyboard)
Wayne Linsey (keyboard)
Kirk Whalum (saxophone)
Michael Baker (drums)
Bashiri Johnson (percussion)
Gary Garland (background vocalist)
Olivia McClurkin (background vocalist)
Alfie Silas (background vocalist)
Patti Howard (background vocalist)
Josie James (background vocalist)
SUPPORT ACT: Angie & Debbie Winans
LIVE SAMPLE
1997
May 1997
THE "PACIFIC RIM" TOUR
ASIA (7 Shows)
JAPAN, THAILAND, TAIWAN
HAWAII (1 Show)
SETLIST
I`m Every Woman
So Emotional
I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)
All At Once
Saving All My Love For You
Greatest Love Of All
Queen Of The Night
All The Man That I Need
Exhale (Shoop Shoop)
I Love The Lord
I Go To The Rock
I Will Always Love You
Step By Step
THE BAND
Rickey Minor (musical director, bass guitar, bass synthesizer)
Bette Sussmann (keyboards)
Wayne Linsey (keyboards)
Gary Bias (saxophone)
Michael Baker (drums)
Bashiri Johnson (percussion)
Paul Jackson jr. (guitars)
Raymond Brown (trumpet)
Reginald Young (trombone)
Valerie Pinkston-Mayo (background vocalist)
Sharlotte Gibson (background vocalist)
Patti Howard (background vocalist)
THE DANCERS
Carolyn Brown
Merlyn Mitchell
Shane Johnson
Saleema Mubaarak
1998
June - July 1998
THE EUROPEAN TOUR
UNITED KINGDOM, GERMANY, PORTUGAL, FRANCE, ITALY, MONACO
(10 Shows)
SETLIST
I`m Every Woman
So Emotional
All The Man That I Need
I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)
Love Medley:
* Saving All My Love For You
* Nobody Loves Me Like You Do
* Didn`t We Almost Have It All
* Where Do Broken Hearts Go
Queen Of The Night
Diana Ross Medley:
* I`m Coming Out
* Endless Love
* Ain`t No Mountain High Enough
* The Boss
I Love The Lord
I Go To The Rock
I Will Always Love You
Step By Step
LIVE SAMPLE
1999
June - November 1999
THE "MY LOVE IS YOUR LOVE" WORLD TOUR
After the success of Whitney`s first studio album in eight years, the singer embarked on her first world tour since 1994 to promote it. In the North American leg, Whitney turned down most of the arena dates, despite being big enough to sell out them, in favor of theaters because she wanted "to do something where people can feel [her] and [she] can feel them." This allowed the shows to have a jam-session kind of feel. Since theaters have lower capacities than arenas, Whitney played in most North American cities for two nights each.
Whitney signed a deal with Dolce & Gabbana. They would design all of Whitney`s clothes for the tour. This gave Whitney a more hip and contemporary look in to match her music in contrast to her previous tours. Whitney first showcased her new edgy wardrobe on the Oprah Winfrey show prior to the tour opener in Chicago.
In July Whitney made a surprise appearance at the 13th Annual New York City Lesbian and Gay Pride Dance. At the event, the singer did a rare performance of the popular remixes to "It`s Not Right But It`s OK" and "Heartbreak Hotel".
The tour was successful. The concerts featured Whitney`s highest ticket prices. With many shows, Whitney commanded up to $150 for a ticket, making her just one of a few artists to break the $100 barrier. Whitney along with rapper Jay-Z, were the only urban acts that were able to translate successful album sales into successful tours.
The tour was an even bigger success in Europe however. It was the highest grossing arena concert tour of the year in the continent while playing to almost half a million people. Every date was sold out in advanced. As a result, the tour had to be extended to November due to high demand.
NORTH AMERICA (24 Shows)
USA, CANADA
EUROPE (44 Shows)
POLAND, GERMANY, AUSTRIA, SWITZERLAND, THE NETHERLANDS, UNITED KINGDOM, FRANCE, BELGIUM, ITALY, CZECH REPUBLIC, SWEDEN, FINLAND, RUSSIA
SETLIST
Get It Back
Heartbreak Hotel
If I Told You That
Saving All My Love For You
Until You Come Back
Exhale (Shoop Shoop)
I Learned From The Best
I`m Every Woman
I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)
How Will I Know
My Love Is Your Love
Movie Medley:
* I Believe In You And Me
* Why Does It Hurt So Bad
* It Hurts Like Hell
I Will Always Love You
It`s Not Right But It`s Okay
LIVE SAMPLE
2004
February 2004
THE RUSSIAN & DUBAI TOUR
ST. PETERSBURG, MOSCOW & DUBAI
SETLIST
Get It Back
If I Told You That
Heartbreak Hotel
Saving All My Love For You / Until You Come Back
I Learned From The Best
Greatest Love Of All
Exhale (Shoop Shoop)
Step By Step
My Love Is Your Love
I Wanna Dance With Somebody / How Will I Know
Movie Medley:
* I Believe In You And Me
* Why Does It Hurt So Bad
* It Hurts Like Hell
I Will Always Love You
It`s Not Right But It`s Okay
2004
July 2004
THE "SOUL DIVA`S" TOUR
GERMANY
LIVE SAMPLE
2004
July 2004
THE ASIAN TOUR
HONG KONG, CHINA & THAILAND
LIVE SAMPLE
2010
February - June 2010
THE "NOTHING BUT LOVE" WORLD TOUR
ASIA (7 Shows)
REPUBLIC OF KOREA, JAPAN
AUSTRALIA (6 Shows)
EUROPE (35 Shows)
FRANCE, UNITED KINGDOM, IRELAND, SPAIN, ITALY, SWITZERLAND, GERMANY, AUSTRIA, BELGIUM, DENMARK, SWEDEN, FINLAND, NORWAY
INTRO - I`m Every Woman
01. For The Lovers
02. Nothin' But Love
03. I Didn`t Know My Own Strength
04. My Love Is Your Love
05. Exhale (Shoop Shoop)
06. If I Told You That
07. It`s Not Right But It`s Okay
COSTUME CHANGE
"One Moment In Time" video montage on screen
"For The Love Of You" performed by Gary Garland Houston
"Saving All My Love For You" intro by the band
"Queen Of The Night" performed by two background singers
09. "Acoustic Love Medley"
* Missing You
* Saving All My Love For You
* Greatest Love Of All
* All At Once
* I Learned From The Best
11. I Wanna Dance With Somebody
12. I Love The Lord
13. I Look To You
14. Step By Step
15. I Will Always Love You
ENCORE
16. Million Dollar Bill (Freemasons Radio Mix Version)
THE BAND
Michael Baker (musical director, drums)
Jetro Da Silva (keyboards)
Shedrick Mitchell (keyboards)
Adi Yashaya (keyboards)
Matthew Garrison (bass)
Bashiri Johnson (percussion)
Sherrod Barnes (guitars)
Cindy Mizelle (background vocalist)
Valerie Pinkston (background vocalist)
Sharlotte Gibson (background vocalist)
Gary Garland (background vocalist)
THE DANCERS
Dres Reid
Shannon Holtzappfel
Ryan Chandler
Tre Holloway
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