The Bodyguard World Tour
Tour by Whitney Houston
Promotional poster for tour
Associated albumThe Bodyguard
Start dateJuly 5, 1993 (1993-07-05)
End dateNovember 19, 1994 (1994-11-19)
Legs8
No. of shows58 in North America
16 in Asia
36 in Europe
7 in South America
3 in Africa
in total 120
Box office$33 million ($68.88 in 2022 dollars)[1]
$14 million ($28.36 in 2022 dollars)[1] (North America only)
Whitney Houston concert chronology

The Bodyguard World Tour is the fifth concert tour by American recording artist, Whitney Houston. The tour was in support of her multi-platinum soundtrack album, The Bodyguard, and also of the movie of the same name. Following the success of the album and worldwide hit singles "I Will Always Love You", "I Have Nothing" and "I'm Every Woman", Houston started the extensive world tour that lasted through the fall of 1994.

Background

With the enormous success of the movie and its soundtrack, Houston went on an extensive world tour to support her projects. Houston began rehearsals two months after giving birth to daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown. The opening date was in Miami on July 5, 1993. Houston received a lot of flak for showing up late and then telling a fan who wanted an autograph to sit down.[2][3] Houston 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 Houston wanted an intimate setting. During the US leg, Houston took a break to fly over to Europe to accompany husband Bobby Brown on his tour. Gospel act Angie & Debbie Winans were the opening act for the 1993 US leg. During the second North American leg in 1994, Houston performed at the opening ceremony of the 1994 FIFA World Cup at the Rose Bowl Stadium.[4]

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. Houston also went public concerning having a miscarriage during the tour.[5] The tour was a big success. Many shows were among the highest grossing shows of their week. The grossings helped Houston make Forbes magazine's Richest Entertainers list. Houston earned over $33 million during 1993 and 1994, the third highest for a female entertainer.[6]

Critical reception

During her first Radio City Music Hall performance in New York City, Stephen Holden of the New York Times wrote that "her stylistic trademarks -- shivery melismas that ripple up in the middle of a song, twirling embellishments at the ends of phrases that suggest an almost breathless exhilaration -- infuse her interpretations with flashes of musical and emotional lightning."[7] At one of her Atlantic City dates, Kevin L. Carter of the Philadelphia Inquirer wrote that Houston handled her songs "with subdued emotionalism and the intelligence that only a gifted musician can bring to a song.[8]

"Saving All My Love for You" was turned into a "smoky saloon-style ballad".[9] Many critics noted that the highlight of the show was when Houston took on "And I Am Telling You" from Dreamgirls, and "I Loves You Porgy" from Porgy and Bess. Stephen Holden wrote of the medley that "her voice conveyed authority, power, determination and just enough vulnerability to give a sense of dramatic intention".[7] As always, Houston included gospel songs. She introduced her band while performing 'Revelation.' Houston spoke about the Lord before going into 'Jesus Loves Me' which was often accompanied with complete silence from the mesmerized crowd."[10] During the last couple of years, since her marriage to Brown, the tabloids generated many stories about Houston and Brown. The New York Post created a rumor that the singer had overdosed on diet pills, leading to a lawsuit filed by Houston. During her shows, while performing her love medley, Houston often denied tabloid rumors. Houston often brought her husband and baby to the stage with her to prove that they are a happy family and that the tabloids are wrong.

Many critics felt that these tabloid stories helped her sing with more conviction and emotion. According to some critics, Brown's presence made "All the Man That I Need" a more stirring performance leading up the emotional high of "I Have Nothing",[11] while others felt they were unnecessary, cheesy moments.[12] Many critics praised her Aretha Franklin medley that she performed at certain shows. Houston performed "Ain't No Way", "(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman" and "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man". According to Jon Beam of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, the Aretha Franklin medley was a triumph of substance over style. He wrote that "She seemed a natural instead of a studied singer doing "A Natural Woman", and "Do Right Woman" was a right-on, soulful country-blues song, with a traditional call-and-response between Houston and her backup singers."[13]

Houston's performance at the Pond in Anaheim, Chris William of the Los Angeles Times wrote that, "she approached sheer vocal perfection at virtually every turn". And noted that, "she got to apply that astonishing instrument to some material worthy of it. Watching her progress emotionally through a gospel standard or great ‘60s R&B; ballad made it all the more difficult to see Houston go back and end the show as she began it"[14] Houston returned a year later at Radio City Music Hall, opening a seven-night sold-out engagement in September 1994. Jon Pareles of the New York Times reports, "Houston belted ballads, predictably bringing down the house with songs that moved from aching verses to surging choruses. A medley of hits from Dionne Warwick, Ms. Houston's cousin, lacked Ms. Warwick's lightness, but Ms. Houston made "Alfie" sound like the ethical wrangle it is".[15] Ira Robbins of Newsday wrote, "Houston peaked in the Warwick segment with marvelous adaptions of "I Say a Little Prayer" and "Alfie", and "after the powerful one-two of "I Have Nothing" and a rendition of "Run to You" so compelling it would have been no shock to see Kevin Costner jog out".[16]

Opening acts

Setlist

July 1993 - April 1994
  1. "Greatest Love of All" (intro)
  2. "Love Will Save the Day"
  3. "Saving All My Love for You"
  4. "You Give Good Love"
  5. "How Will I Know"
  6. "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)"
  7. "I Loves You Porgy" / "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going"
  8. "I Have Nothing"
  9. "Queen of the Night"
  10. "I'm Your Baby Tonight"
  11. "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"
  12. "Revelation" (contain elements of "He's Alright" and "The Love You Save")
  13. "Jesus Loves Me" (contain elements of "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands")
  14. "I Will Always Love You"
  15. "I'm Every Woman"
June 1994 - September 1994
  1. "Greatest Love of All" (intro)
  2. "So Emotional"
  3. "Saving All My Love for You"
  4. "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)"
  5. "How Will I Know"
  6. "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"
  7. "I Have Nothing"
  8. "Queen of the Night"
  9. "(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman" / "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man" / "Ain't No Way"
  10. "Wonderful Counselor" (contain elements of "Freeway of Love")
  11. "Jesus Loves Me" (contain elements of "He's All Right")
  12. "I Will Always Love You"
  13. "I'm Every Woman"
November 1994

South Africa

  1. "Love's in Need of Love Today"
  2. "So Emotional"
  3. "Saving All My Love for You"
  4. "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)"
  5. "How Will I Know"
  6. "All at Once" / "Nobody Loves Me Like You Do" / "Where Do Broken Hearts Go" / "Where You Are" / "Lover for Life"
  7. "My Name Is Not Susan"
  8. "Queen of the Night"
  9. "I Have Nothing"
  10. "Touch the World" (performed with Cissy Houston and Tu Nokwe's Amajika Performing Arts choir)
  11. "Love Is"
  12. "Amazing Grace"
  13. "Master Blaster (Jammin')"
  14. "I Will Always Love You"
  15. "I'm Every Woman"
  16. "Greatest Love of All"
  17. "Home"

Notes

  • On select dates, from July 1993 to September 1994, Houston closed the show with a duet of "Something in Common" with Bobby Brown.
  • In North America and Europe, "My Name Is Not Susan" was performed on select dates. "You Give Good Love" was performed on select dates in Europe and Japan.
  • During the show on July 30, 1993 in Atlantic City, Houston performed "Stormy Weather" as a tribute to Lena Horne.
  • On November 5 and 7, 1993, January 18, August 14, September 16, 27 and 28, 1994: Houston performed "Run to You" followed by "I Have Nothing".
  • During two concerts in Brazil on January 18, and 23, Houston brought Bobby Brown onstage and sang "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" to him. Houston also performed a encore of "Greatest Love of All".
  • The New York City concerts in September 1994, Houston performed a medley of Walk On By", "A House Is Not a Home" and "Alfie", also select dates included a performance of "I'm Your Baby Tonight". On September 16, Houston closed the show with "Greatest Love of All".
  • The final show on September 30, 1994 in North America, Houston performed "You Are So Beautiful", "For the Love of You", "Amazing Grace" and closed the show with "I Will Always Love You".
  • Houston altered her South Africa set specifically for the HBO televised show in Johannesburg on November 12, removing "Nobody Loves Me Like You Do" and "Where Do Broken Hearts Go". During the show in Cape Town on November 19, 1994, Houston performed "All the Man That I Need" and "Wonderful Counselor".

Shows

List of concerts, showing date, city, country, venue, tickets sold, number of available tickets and amount of gross revenue
Date City Country Venue Attendance Revenue
North America—Leg 1[20]
July 5, 1993 Miami United States James L. Knight Center 14,200 / 14,200 $491,150
July 6, 1993
July 8, 1993
July 11, 1993 Vienna Filene Center 14,170 / 14,170 $360,160
July 12, 1993
July 14, 1993 Mansfield Great Woods Center for the Performing Arts 19,000 / 19,900 $995,000
July 15, 1993
July 20, 1993 New York City Radio City Music Hall 28,720 / 28,720 $1,458,025
July 21, 1993
July 23, 1993
July 24, 1993
July 26, 1993
July 28, 1993 Atlantic City Copa Room 12,000 / 12,000 $791,112
July 30, 1993
July 31, 1993
August 1, 1993
August 3, 1993
August 4, 1993
Europe
August 13, 1993 Copenhagen Denmark Parken Stadium 38,065 / 38,065 $3,806,500
August 15, 1993 Kolding Kolding Stadion 10,000 / 10,000 $855,600
North America[21]
August 22, 1993 Los Angeles United States Hollywood Bowl 17,006 / 17,006 $625,030
August 23, 1993[A] San Diego Embarcadero Marina Park South 4,567 / 4,700 $392,762
August 25, 1993 Cerritos Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts 5,163 / 5,163 $473,275
August 27, 1993
August 28, 1993
Asia
September 1, 1993 Osaka Japan Osaka-jō Hall 31,897 / 32,000 $2,870,730
September 2, 1993
September 6, 1993 Tokyo Nippon Budokan 114,056 / 115,768[lower-alpha 1] $8,188,381[lower-alpha 1]
September 7, 1993
September 9, 1993
September 10, 1993
September 13, 1993
September 14, 1993
September 16, 1993 Nagoya Nagoya Rainbow Hall 10,000 / 10,000 $2,500,000
September 17, 1993
September 19, 1993 Yokohama Yokohama Arena 51,000 / 51,000[lower-alpha 2] $4,872,710[lower-alpha 2]
September 20, 1993
September 22, 1993 Fukuoka Fukuoka Dome 38,561 / 38,561 $5,784,150
September 24, 1993 Yokohama Yokohama Arena —[lower-alpha 2] —[lower-alpha 2]
September 27, 1993 Tokyo Nippon Budokan —[lower-alpha 1] —[lower-alpha 1]
September 28, 1993
Europe
October 7, 1993 Milan Italy Forum di Assago — —
October 8, 1993
October 10, 1993 Zürich Switzerland Hallenstadion
October 11, 1993
October 13, 1993 Berlin Germany Deutschlandhalle
October 14, 1993
October 16, 1993 Stockholm Sweden Stockholm Globe Arena
October 17, 1993 Gothenburg Scandinavium
October 19, 1993 Oslo Norway Oslo Spektrum
October 22, 1993 Heerenveen Netherlands Thialf
October 23, 1993 Maastricht MECC Maastricht
October 25, 1993 Frankfurt Germany Festhalle Frankfurt
October 27, 1993 Birmingham United Kingdom NEC Arena
October 28, 1993
October 30, 1993
October 31, 1993 Sheffield Sheffield Arena
November 2, 1993
November 3, 1993
November 5, 1993 London Earls Court Exhibition Centre
November 6, 1993
November 7, 1993
November 9, 1993 Dublin Ireland Point Theatre
November 10, 1993
November 12, 1993 Ghent Belgium Flanders Expo
November 15, 1993 Madrid Spain Palacio de los Deportes
November 18, 1993 Metz France Galaxie de Metz
November 19, 1993 Stuttgart Germany Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle
November 21, 1993 Linz Austria Linzer Sporthalle
November 23, 1993 Munich Germany Olympiahalle
November 24, 1993 Dortmund Westfalenhalle
November 26, 1993 Rotterdam Netherlands Rotterdam Ahoy Sportpaleis
November 27, 1993
November 29, 1993 Paris France Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy
November 30, 1993
South America
January 16, 1994[B] São Paulo Brazil Estádio do Morumbi — —
January 18, 1994
January 23, 1994[B] Rio de Janeiro Praça da Apoteose
April 14, 1994 Santiago Chile Estadio San Carlos de Apoquindo
April 16, 1994 Buenos Aires Argentina Estadio José Amalfitani
April 17, 1994
April 21, 1994 Caracas Venezuela Poliedro de Caracas
North America[22]
April 24, 1994 San Juan Puerto Rico Hiram Bithorn Stadium 14,323 / 20,651 $685,845
June 17, 1994 Hartford United States Hartford Civic Center — —
June 19, 1994 Uniondale Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
June 23, 1994 Philadelphia The Spectrum
June 24, 1994 Providence Providence Civic Center
June 26, 1994 Richfield Richfield Coliseum
June 27, 1994 Auburn Hills The Palace of Auburn Hills
June 29, 1994 Fairborn Nutter Center
July 1, 1994 Minneapolis Target Center 12,406 / 14,395 $486,645
July 2, 1994 Rosemont Rosemont Horizon — —
July 5, 1994 Atlanta Omni Coliseum
July 7, 1994 Lafayette Cajundome
July 11, 1994 Denver McNichols Sports Arena
July 13, 1994 Las Cruces Pan American Center
August 12, 1994 Las Vegas MGM Grand Garden Arena
August 14, 1994 San Jose San Jose Arena
August 16, 1994 Portland Memorial Coliseum
August 17, 1994 Tacoma Tacoma Dome
August 19, 1994 Sacramento ARCO Arena
August 21, 1994 Anaheim Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim
August 23, 1994 Phoenix America West Arena
August 25, 1994 Houston The Summit
September 1, 1994 Atlantic City Copa Room
September 3, 1994
September 4, 1994
September 7, 1994
September 9, 1994
September 10, 1994
September 16, 1994 New York City Radio City Music Hall 39,607 / 39,607 $2,668,940
September 17, 1994
September 20, 1994
September 21, 1994
September 27, 1994
September 28, 1994
September 30, 1994
Africa
November 8, 1994 Durban South Africa Kings Park Stadium — —
November 12, 1994 Johannesburg Ellis Park Stadium
November 19, 1994 Cape Town Green Point Stadium
Total 698,671 / 708,520 $60,000,000
Festivals and other miscellaneous performances
A Summer Pops Series[23]
B Hollywood Rock[24]
Cancellations and rescheduled shows
November 16, 1993 Barcelona, Spain Palau Sant Jordi Cancelled[25]
July 8, 1994 Houston, Texas The Summit Rescheduled for August 25, 1994[26]
July 15, 1994 San Diego, California San Diego Sports Arena Cancelled[5]
July 16, 1994 Anaheim, California Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim Rescheduled for August 21, 1994[27]
July 18, 1994 Phoenix, Arizona America West Arena Rescheduled for August 23, 1994[26]
July 19, 1994 Las Vegas, Nevada MGM Grand Garden Arena Rescheduled for August 12, 1994[28]
July 21, 1994 San Jose, California San Jose Arena Rescheduled for August 14, 1994[26]
July 25, 1994 Tacoma, Washington Tacoma Dome Rescheduled to August 17, 1994[27]
July 27, 1994 Sacramento, California ARCO Arena Rescheduled for August 19, 1994[26]
September 23, 1994 New York City, New York Radio City Music Hall Rescheduled to September 28, 1994[29]
September 24, 1994 New York City, New York Radio City Music Hall Rescheduled to September 30, 1994[29]

1.:^ Figures reported for the concerts held in New York City, July 1993.

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 The score data is combined from the shows held at the Tokyo Dome on September 9-14 and 27-28, respectively.
  2. 1 2 3 4 The score data is combined from the shows held at the Yokohama Arena on September 19-20 and 24, respectively.

Touring personnel

Band:

Background vocalists:

Tour management:

  • Tour manager – Tony Bulluck
  • Tour accountant – Wade Perry
  • Production manager – Vernon Wilson
  • Stage manager – Dewan Mitchell
  • Set/lighting designer – Andy Elias

Crew:

  • Front of house sound engineer – George Strakis
  • Monitor engineer – Alan Vachon
  • Lighting director – Charlie Unkeless
  • Lighting crew chief – Roy Jennings
  • Vari*Lite programmer/operator – Tom Celner

Source:[18][30]

Broadcasting and recordings

  • Houston's November 12, date in Johannesburg, South Africa, was broadcast live on HBO Cable TV, Whitney: The Concert for a New South Africa. The special was later released on home video. There are also televised recordings of her concerts in Argentina, Brazil, and Chile.
  • The concerts in Chile, Argentina, Brazil and Venezuela were televised in select countries in South America.

References

  1. 1 2 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  2. ↑ Wilker, Deborah (July 16, 1993). "Whitney Houston's Foot A Perfect Fit For Her Mouth". Sun-Sentinel. Tribune Company. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
  3. ↑ Winston, Sherri (July 7, 1993). "Whitney Wings It The Songbird Gets Her National Tour Off To A Rocky Start In Miami". Sun-Sentinel. Tribune Company. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
  4. ↑ Cox, Dan (July 18, 1994). "MUSIC REVIEWS; Whitney Houston; Kenny G." Variety. Variety Media, LLC. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
  5. 1 2 "Houston Had Miscarriage While On Tour Last Week". Orlando Sentinel. Tribune Publishing. July 14, 1994. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
  6. ↑ "List of world's richest entertainers". Reuters News. September 11, 1994.
  7. 1 2 Holden, Stephen. "For Whitney Houston, Showy Doesn't Count: The Show Is the Voice". New York Times. June 22, 1993. Page C11.
  8. ↑ Carter, Kevin L. "Whitney Houston Sings With Passion, Her Voice Has Matured, and She's a Waif No More." Philadelphia Inquirer. June 30, 1993. Page 32.
  9. ↑ Peterson, Karla. "Whitney slim, but act expands nicely". San Diego Union – Tribune. August 25, 1993. Page E7.
  10. ↑ McCoy, Frank Milton. "Whitney Captivates Bowl Audience". The Sentinel. September 2, 1993. Page B4.
  11. ↑ Catlin, Roger. "In Hartford, Whitney Houston is Trouble Free. Hartford Courant. June 18, 1994. Page D4.
  12. ↑ Robbins, Ira. "Whitney's Story, And Some of Her Songs, Too". Newsday. July 22, 1993. Page 58.
  13. ↑ Beam, Jon. "Whitney's musical personality shines through on stage". Minneapolis Star Tribune. July 2, 1994. Page B3.
  14. ↑ Chris William (August 23, 1994). "POP MUSIC REVIEW: Houston Finds Voice by Getting Personal". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 10, 2006.
  15. ↑ Pareles, Jon (September 19, 1994). "POP REVIEWS Part Divas, Part Goddesses: 2 Women of Glamour and Music; Whitney Houston At Radio City". New York Times. New York Times Company. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
  16. ↑ Robbins, Ira. "Whitney's Family Affair". Newsday. September 19, 1994. Page B.02.
  17. ↑ Hudson, Alexia (July 8, 1994). "Smoothe Sylk". Philadelphia Tribune.
  18. 1 2 "Review: 'Whitney Houston'". Variety. August 25, 1993. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
  19. ↑ Carter, Kevin L. (July 30, 1993). "Whitney Houston Sings With Passion Her Voice Has Matured, and She's A Waif No More". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
  20. ↑ North American 1st Leg Boxcore Data:
  21. ↑ North American 2nd Leg Boxcore Data:
  22. ↑ North American 3rd Leg Boxscore Data:
  23. ↑ "Summer Splash : A Short-Form Guide to the Season's Events". Los Angeles Times. May 30, 1993. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
  24. ↑ Paiano, Enor (March 5, 1994). "Brazilian Fests Prosper Despite Overlap". Billboard. New York City: BPI Communications. 106 (10): 39. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
  25. ↑ Blowman, Michael (November 18, 1993). "Foxx stands up for substance". The Boston Globe. p. 70.
  26. 1 2 3 4 "Houston Postpones Eight Concerts". San Francisco Chronicle. July 21, 1994. p. E3.
  27. 1 2 "Houston Concert Postponed". The Seattle Times. July 19, 1994. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
  28. ↑ APNews (July 18, 1994). "Throat Problems Forces Whitney Houston to Postpone 8 Shows Until August". Associated Press. Associated Press News. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
  29. 1 2 "A CASE OF THE FLU FLOORS SINGER AND HER SCHEDULE". Deseret News. September 25, 1994. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
  30. ↑ Whitney Houston "The Bodyguard Summer-Fall Tour 1993" Itinerary (July 1993). Smart Art: Santa Monica, CA 1993.
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