Moment of Truth World Tour

Moment of Truth World Tour
Tour by Whitney Houston
Associated album	Whitney
Start date	July 4, 1987
End date	November 21, 1988
Legs	4
Shows	90 in North America 37 in Europe 15 in Japan 6 in Australia 3 in Hong Kong Over 151 in total
Whitney Houston tour chronology
Greatest Love World Tour (1986) Moment of Truth World Tour (1987-1988) Feels So Right Tour (1990)

The Moment of Truth World Tour was the second worldwide tour by American R&B/Pop singer, Whitney Houston. The tour started in North America during the summer of 1987, following the release of her second album Whitney. The tour continued overseas during 1988 in Europe, Japan, Hong Kong, and Australia.

History

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, Houston visited 12 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. Houston 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. Houston performed a set at Wembley Stadium, playing to over 72,000 fans during the historic event.^[1] Following this, Houston resumed her tour in Italy. In 1988, Houston 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 Houston's only North American date during 1988 after playing 89 dates the previous year. The concert raised over $300 million for the UNCF. ^[2]

The tour was one of the ten highest-grossing tours of the year.^[3] 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.^[4] In addition, the European leg was sold out.^[2]

The Show

Like her previous tour, Houston again performed on a round stage in the center of the arena or auditorium so that everyone can see her. The seven-piece band was situated below her. There were two outfit changes; no stage props. However, unlike her previous tour, Houston called upon three backup dancers during the uptempos. Jonathan Butler and Kenny G opened during the North American leg.

With two albums under her belt, the singer had more material to choose from. She included most of the songs from Whitney, the biggest hits from her debut, as well as the gospel song "He/I Believe". Houston also performed songs from her peers during various concerts, interpreting Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Anita Baker, and Janet Jackson.^[5] Like her debut tour, Houston proved herself to be a creative musician. She rearranged most of the songs into soulful jazzy numbers and did a lot of improvisation. The Montreal Gazette said, "Whatever faults the 24-year-old singer has, she is first and foremost a creative musician."^[6] The pop hit "How Will I Know" was given a jazzy beginning and gospel-like ending. "You Give Good Love" was slowed down into a steamy and sensual slow jam. Houston often scatted with sax player Jay Davidson on "Just the Lonely Talking Again".^[5] Most critics noted "He/I Believe" and "Greatest Love of All" as being the show's highlights.

Despite the praise for her voice and arrangements, many critics noted her lack of dancing and movements. The Richmond Times said "she is about as stiff as a cardboard box."^[7] Some noted that she lacked a true personality. Others complained that despite the name of the tour, she followed the same formula as her previous tour.^[5]

Opening Act

• Kenny G (select dates)

Setlist

USA

1. "Love Will Grow"
2. "How Will I Know"
3. "You Give Good Love"
4. "Love Is A Contact Sport"
5. "Just The Lonely Talking Again"
6. "Love Will Save The Day"
7. "Saving All My Love for You"
8. "You're Still My Man"¹
9. "For The Love Of You"
10. "He/I Believe"
11. "I Know Him So Well" (with Cissy Houston)¹
12. "Didn't We Almost Have It All"
13. Medley:
    • "Control"
    • "Sweet Love"
    • "Stop To Love"
14. "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)"

Encore

15. "Greatest Love of All"

¹only performed on select dates

Europe/USA/Japan/Australia/Hong Kong

1. "Didn't We Almost Have It All"
2. "Love Will Save The Day"
3. "You Give Good Love"
4. "So Emotional"
5. "Where Do Broken Hearts Go"
6. "Love Is A Contact Sport"
7. "How Will I Know"
8. "Saving All My Love for You"
9. "He/I Believe"
10. "Wonderful Counselor"
11. "He's Alright"
12. "(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman"
13. "You Send Me"
14. Dreamgirls Tribute:
    • When I First Saw You" (duet with Cissy Houston and Gary Houston) ¹
15. "Greatest Love of All"

Encore

16. "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)"

¹ only performed in the USA

Additional notes

• During various concerts in the US, Houston also performed "Just The Lonely Talking Again" and "For The Love Of You".

• A medley of Anita Baker's "Sweet Love", Janet Jackson's "Control", and Luther Vandross's "Stop To Love" was performed on selected dates. Like her previous tour, and all future tours, Houston included gospel songs into her set.

• Houston performed a USA Benefit concert for The United Negro College Fund on August 28th, 1988 at Madison Square Garden in NYC. During the show she performed "When I First Saw You" with her brother Gary Houston and mother Cissy Houston as a tribute to the Broadway musical play, "Dreamgirls".

The band

• Michael Baker - Music conductor
• Mathew Garrison - Bass Guitar
• Sherod Barnes - Guitar
• Shedrick Mitchel - Keyboards
• Jetro da Silva - Keyboards
• Michael Baker - Drums
• Bashiri Johnson - Percussion
• Valerie Pinkston - Background vocals
• Sharlotte Gibson - Background vocals
• Cindy Mizelle - Background vocals
• Gary Houston - Background vocals

Tour dates

Date	City	Country	Venue
North America
July 4, 1987	Tampa	United States	Tampa Stadium
July 5, 1987	Milwaukee		Marcus Amphitheatre
July 9, 1987	Providence		Civic Center
July 11, 1987	Columbia		Merriweather Post Pavilion
July 12, 1987
July 14, 1987	Cuyahoga Falls		Blossom Music Center
July 17, 1987	Indianapolis		Market Square Arena
July 18, 1987	St. Paul		Riverfest
July 19, 1987
July 21, 1987	Hoffman Estates		Poplar Creek Music Theater
July 22, 1987
July 24, 1987	Peoria		Peoria Civic Center
July 25, 1987	St. Louis		St. Louis Arena
July 26, 1987	Cincinnati		Riverbend Music Center
July 27, 1987
July 31, 1987	Clarkston		Pine Knob
August 1, 1987
August 2, 1987	Pittsburgh		Pittsburgh Civic Center
August 5, 1987	Charlotte		Charlotte Coliseum
August 7, 1987	Birmingham		Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center
August 8, 1987	Atlanta		Omni Coliseum
August 9, 1987	Greensboro		Greensboro Coliseum
August 12, 1987	Richmond		Richmond Coliseum
August 13, 1987	Hershey		Hersheypark Stadium
August 14, 1987	Philadelphia		The Spectrum
August 16, 1987	Wantagh		Jones Beach Amphitheatre
August 17, 1987
August 24, 1987	Boston		Boston Common
August 25, 1987
August 26, 1987
August 28, 1987	Montreal	Canada	Montreal Forum
August 29, 1987	Ottawa		Lansdowne Park
August 30, 1987	Toronto		CNE Stadium
September 2, 1987	Saratoga Springs	United States	Saratoga Performing Arts Center
September 3, 1987	Syracuse		War Memorial at Oncenter
September 5, 1987	Providence		Providence Civic Center
September 8, 1987	New York City		Madison Square Garden
September 9, 1987
September 12, 1987	Lexington		Rupp Arena
September 18, 1987	Austin		Frank Erwin Center
September 19, 1987	Houston		The Summit
September 20, 1987	Dallas		Reunion Arena
September 26, 1987	Los Angeles		Irvine Meadows Amphitheater
September 27, 1987	San Jose		Shoreline Amphitheatre
October 1, 1987	Oakland		Oakland Coliseum Arena
October 2, 1987	Los Angeles		Irvine Meadows Amphitheater
October 7, 1987	Portland		Key Arena
October 9, 1987	Seattle		Seattle Center Coliseum
October 10, 1987
October 11, 1987	Vancouver	Canada	Pacific Coliseum
November 3, 1987	Omaha	United States	Omaha Civic Auditorium
November 10, 1987	East Rutherford		Brendan Byrne Arena
November 21, 1987	Chapel Hill		Smith Center[8]
November 27, 1987	New Orleans		Superdome
December 2, 1987	Jacksonville		Jacksonville Coliseum
December 4, 1987	Tampa		Sun Dome
December 5, 1987	Fort Lauderdale		Hollywood Sportatorium
December 8, 1987	Orlando		Orange County Convention Center
Europe
April 19, 1988	Rotterdam	Netherlands	Ahoy
April 21, 1988
April 23, 1988
April 24, 1988
April 27, 1988	Birmingham	United Kingdom	National Exhibition Centre
April 28, 1988
April 30, 1988
May 1, 1988
May 2, 1988
May 4, 1988	London		Wembley Arena
May 7, 1988
May 8, 1988
May 11, 1988
May 12, 1988
May 15, 1988
May 16, 1988
May 18, 1988	Paris	France	Bercy
May 20, 1988	Frankfurt	Germany	Festhalle Frankfurt
May 21, 1988
May 24, 1988	Copenhagen	Denmark	Valby-Hallen
May 25, 1988	Oslo	Norway	Drammenshallen
May 27, 1988	Stockholm	Sweden	Isstadion
May 28, 1988
May 29, 1988	Gothenburg		Scandinavium
June 2, 1988	Berlin	Germany	Waldbuhne
June 4, 1988	Dortmund		Westfalenhalle
June 8, 1988	Rome	Italy	Paleur
June 9, 1988
June 12, 1988	Milan		Palatrussardi
June 13, 1988
June 16, 1988	Vienna	Austria	Stadthalle
June 18, 1988	Basel	Switzerland	St. Jakobshalle
June 19, 1988
June 21, 1988
June 23, 1988	Munich	Germany	Olympiahalle
June 24, 1988
June 26, 1988
North America
August 28, 1988	New York City	United States	Madison Square Garden
Asia
September 21, 1988	Hiroshima	Japan	Hiroshima Green Arena
September 22, 1988	Fukuoka		Kokusai Center
September 26, 1988	Tokyo		Nippon Budōkan
September 27, 1988
September 28, 1988
October 1, 1988	Osaka		Osaka-jō Hall
October 2, 1988
October 5, 1988	Nagoya		Nippon Gaishi Hall
October 6, 1988
October 7, 1988	Shizuoka		Kusanagi Athletic Stadium
October 11, 1988	Sapporo		Makomanai Sekisui Heim Ice Arena
October 13, 1988	Sendai		Sendai Gymnasium
October 15, 1988	Yokohama		Yokohama Cultural Gymnasium
October 16, 1988	Tokyo		Nippon Budōkan
October 17, 1988
Australia
October 22, 1988	Melbourne	Australia	National Tennis Centre
October 25, 1988	Canberra		National Indoor Sports Centre
October 31, 1988	Perth		Perth Entertainment Centre
November 7, 1988	Sydney		Sydney Entertainment Centre
November 8, 1988
November 11, 1988	Brisbane		Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Hong Kong
November 18, 1988	Hong Kong	Hong Kong	Hong Kong Coliseum
November 19, 1988
November 20, 1988

Note: Not all the North American dates are listed.

Broadcast / Recordings

One of the Wembley Arena shows in London was recorded and broadcast live on Rai Uno TV in Italy. There were no recordings released to the public.

References

1. ^ allwhitney.com
2. ^ ^{a b} "Choices". Newsday. August 26, 1988, Page 02
3. ^ MacDonald, Patrick. "U2, Bon Jovi were top concert acts of 1987". Seattle Times. January 15, 1988. Page 5. Retrieved May 16, 2008
4. ^ "Bill Cosby Leads the Millionaire Entertainers". San Francisco Chronicle. September 7, 1987
5. ^ ^{a b c} Bream, Jon. "Houston is sensational - if you like glitz and glamour". The Minneapolis Star and Tribune. July 19, 1987
6. ^ Griffin, John. "Whitney Delivers but Stage Presence Slips". Montreal Gazette. August 29, 1987
7. ^ Young, Monte R. "Houston Leaves Fans In Awe Of Her Voice". Richmond Times. August 13, 1987
8. ^ Boxscore: Top Concert Grosses (p42). Billboard. 1987-12-26. http://books.google.co.kr/books?id=JCgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA60&dq=billboard+1987&lr=&as_brr=1#v=onepage&q=boxscore&f=false. Retrieved 2009-11-18.