September 1985 - February 1986

USA

July - December 1986

NORTH AMERICA - USA, CANADA

(35 Shows)

EUROPE - BELGIUM, UNITED KINGDOM

(4 Shows)

ASIA - JAPAN

(7 Shows)

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 / 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)

SUPPORT ACT: Mark McCollum, Sylvia Traymore, Kenny G

Tokyo Show (Audio)

The 'Greatest Love' Tour was Whitney Houston's first headlining worldwide tour in support of her multi-platinum debut album, Whitney Houston. The tour started at the Merriweather Post Pavilion on July 26, 1986 and was a 4-month venture. The 1986 arena tour included shows in North America, Europe, Japan and Australia following the success of the singer's debut album.

The show consisted of Whitney on a fringed round stage in the center of the arena/theater with a 9-piece band playing and four backup vocalists behind her. There were no costume changes or background dancers. Brother Gary Garland would replace Jermaine Jackson and Teddy Pendergrass on the duets. Young New Jersey comedienne Sylvia Traymore opened the show and did hilarious impersonations of such stars as Dionne Warwick, Tina Turner, Cher and others. While on her first global tour, Whitney revealed she was a creative musician; rearranging most of the songs during her shows and sometimes deviating from the album's version. In "You Give Good Love", Whitney would slow it down and emphazise the soulful elements of the song, treating it like a gospel number while breaking it down with her background singers. During "Saving All My Love For You", Whitney arranged the song into a bluesy jazz number that recalled Billie Holliday. Whitney often scatted with sax player Josh Harris during the end of the song. Many critics noted "He / I Believe" and "I Am Changing" as the show's highlights. The former is a song she learned from her mother which joins the gospel songs "He Is" with "I Believe". The latter is a cover of Jennifer Holliday's Dreamgirls song. After opening the show with a tease of the anthemic "Greatest Love Of All", Whitney closed out the show with a slowed down soulful version of the song.

July - December 1987

April - November 1988

NORTH AMERICA - USA, CANADA

(90 Shows)

EUROPE - THE NETHERLANDS, UNITED KINGDOM, FRANCE, GERMANY, DENMARK, NORWAY, SWEDEN, ITALY, AUSTRIA, SWITZERLAND

(37 Shows)

ASIA - JAPAN, HONG KONG

(18 Shows)

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
He / 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, Kenny G

Los Angeles Show (Audio)

The 'Moment Of Truth' Tour was Whitney's second worldwide tour. 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.

Like her previous tour, Whitney 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, Whitney 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". Whitney also performed songs from her peers during various concerts, interpreting Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Anita Baker, and Janet Jackson. 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." 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". 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. 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.

January 1990

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

Yokohama Show

March 1991

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)

I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Live)

April - October 1991

NORTH AMERICA - USA, CANADA

(73 Shows)

EUROPE - THE NETHERLANDS, UNITED KINGDOM, FRANCE, GERMANY, SPAIN

(28 Shows)

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: After 7, Snap!, Gerald Alston

The 'I'm Your Baby Tonight' World Tour was a concert tour of arenas, that included 101 concert dates in North America and Europe in 1991.

Unlike her previous tours, the shows had more focus on visuals. The stage was lit by 300 lights spinning and flashing in synch with the music. The state of the art system was designed by Mark Fisher and Jonathan Park. The system had only been used previously by Pink Floyd in his "The Wall" show in Berlin and the Rolling Stones' "Urban Jungle Tour". Whitney also incorporated costume changes during her sets for the first time. She often wore skin tight jump suits. Houston also took part in choreographed dancing with backup dancers. Unlike her previous tours, the stage was not in the round. She was backed by a seven piece band. Rickey Minor became the tour's musical director. R&B group After 7 opened during the North American leg. Dance act Snap! supported her on the European leg. Whitney reworked most of the songs during the show with improvisations and spontaneity, adding funk to the uptempos while slowing down the ballads. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, "Saving All My Love For You" was "sultry, taking excursions through the church and jazz world that aren't heard on the recorded version." She incorporated her popular love songs into a "Love Medley", giving her time to try out the newer uptempo/new jack swing numbers on her current album. Midway through the shows, Whitney introduced her band while singing the gospel "Revelation". This started the gospel set which included a cappella and solos from her backup singers. Her brother Gary Houston also performed a Marvin Gaye medley. With hip hop music becoming popular during the time, Houston incorporated rappers into the show. Rappers were given verses during "How Will I Know" while shouting "yo Whitney" throughout other songs. During some of the shows, Whitney incorporated her hit "All The Man That I Need" into a medley with the Billie Holliday classic "Lover Man" which she dedicated to her own man at the time. At the time, Whitney was rumored to be dating singer Bobby Brown. The rumor of course turned out to be true. The Holliday cover earned praise from many critics. The Vancouver Sun said "her delivery was achingly soulful" and that the singer should continue towards that direction musically. Whitney ended her show with "I'm Your Baby Tonight" before the encore with "Greatest Love Of All". Some criticized Houston for focusing on the MTV trend of relying on dancing and big production lighting. The Sun Sentinel noted that the singer should opt for smaller venues and theaters that are "far more suitable to her sophistication and talent." USA Today praised the singer because she "shakes the confinements of her recordings' calculated productions and gets downright gutsy and soulful"

July - November 1993

January - November 1994

NORTH AMERICA - USA

(58 Shows)

ASIA - JAPAN

(16 Shows)

EUROPE - ITALY, SWITZERLAND, GERMANY, SWEDEN, NORWAY, THE NETHERLANDS, UNITED KINGDOM, IRELAND, BELGIUM, SPAIN, FRANCE, AUSTRIA

(34 Shows)

SOUTH AMERICA - BRAZIL, CHILE, ARGENTINA, VENEZUELA, PUERTO RICO

(7 Shows)

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, Smoothe Sylk

Philadelphia Show (Audio)

The 'Bodyguard' Tour was a worldwide concert tour. The tour started in July 1993 in support of her "Bodyguard Soundtrack" album. It was Whitney's fourth world tour and by far her most extensive. Spanning two years, Houston played North America twice, Europe, Japan, and made her first appearances in South America and South Africa.

During the first North American leg, gospel act Angie and Debbie Winans were the opening acts. Smoothe Sylk was the opening act during the second North American leg. Unlike her previous tour, this tour did not focus as much on the entertainment aspect. Whitney borrowed some of then-husband Bobby Brown's own concert dancers. However, the show was about "The Voice". As always, the concerts allowed her to arrange her material into more informal settings than the original recordings. During her first Radio City performance, 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." 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. "Saving All My Love For You" was turned into a "smoky saloon-style ballad". Many critics noted that the highlight of the show was when Whitney 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". As always, Houston included gospel songs. She introduced her band while performing "Revelation". Whitney spoke about the Lord before going into "Jesus Loves Me" which was often accompanied with complete silence from the mesmerized crowd. 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. Whitney 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", while others felt they were unnecessary, cheesy moments. Many critics praised her Aretha Franklin medley that she performed at certain shows. Whitney 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 Whitney and her backup singers."

May 1997

ASIA - JAPAN, THAILAND, TAIWAN

(7 Shows)

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

Step By Step / Something In Common (Live)

June - July 1998

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

June - November 1999

NORTH AMERICA - USA, CANADA

(24 Shows)

EUROPE - POLAND, GERMANY, AUSTRIA, SWITZERLAND, THE NETHERLANDS, UNITED KINGDOM, FRANCE, BELGIUM, ITALY, CZECH REPUBLIC, SWEDEN, FINLAND, RUSSIA

(44 Shows)

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

SUPPORT ACT: 112, Amanda Marshall

The 'My Love Is Your Love' Tour was a worldwide arena and theater concert tour in 1999. The European Leg of the tour was the highest-grossing concert tour for that year.

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, Houston turned down most of the arena dates 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. Houston signed a deal with Dolce & Gabbana. They would design all of Whitney's clothes for the tour. This gave Houston 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 Houston 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, Houston 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.

February 2004

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

July 2004

GERMANY

July 2004

HONG KONG, CHINA & THAILAND

February - June 2010

ASIA - REPUBLIC OF KOREA, JAPAN

(7 Shows)

AUSTRALIA

(6 Shows)

EUROPE - UNITED KINGDOM, IRELAND, ITALY, SWITZERLAND, GERMANY, AUSTRIA, BELGIUM, DENMARK, SWEDEN, FINLAND, NORWAY

(34 Shows)

SETLIST

01. For The Lovers
02. Nothin' But Love
03. I Look To You (Europe)

03. I Didn`t Know My Own Strength (Asia & Australia)
04. My Love Is Your Love

+ Exhale (Shoop Shoop) (Asia & Australia)

+ If I Told You That (Asia & Australia)

05. 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

"Queen Of The Night" performed by two background singers

06. A Song For You (Europe)

06. Missing You (Asia & Australia)
07. "Acoustic Love Medley"

Saving All My Love For You

Greatest Love Of All

All At Once

I Learned From The Best

08. Step By Step

09. I Love The Lord

10. I Wanna Dance With Somebody

11. How Will I Know
12. I Will Always Love You

ENCORE

13. 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

SUPPORT ACT: Anthony Callea, Waylon, Azaryah Davidson

Tour Dates and Pictures

The 'Nothing But Love' Tour was her first world tour in over 10 years and supported her seventh studio album I Look To You. The tour visited Asia, Australia and Europe. The tour was the 34th highest-earning of 2010, grossing over $36 million dollars worldwide.