# The Bodyguard World Tour

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 film 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. 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.
During that time, the singer had throat ailments and had to cancel eight shows, all of which were rescheduled a month later. Houston also went public concerning having a miscarriage during the tour. The tour was a big success. Many shows were among the highest grossing shows of their week. The net grossing 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.

## 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." 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 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". 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." 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", while others felt they were unnecessary, cheesy moments. 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."
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" 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". 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".

## Opening acts

* Smoothe Sylk (North America leg 3)
* Angie & Debbie (Miami, Vienna, Mansfield, New York City, Los Angeles, Cerritos)
* Jay Johnson (Atlantic City—July 1993)
* E.Y.C. (Heerenveen, Maastricht)

## Set list

* "Greatest Love of All" (intro)
* "Love Will Save the Day"
* "Saving All My Love for You"
* "You Give Good Love"
* "How Will I Know"
* "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)"
* "I Loves You, Porgy" / "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going"
* "I Have Nothing"
* "Queen of the Night"
* "I'm Your Baby Tonight"
* "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"
* "Revelation" (contain elements of "The Love You Save")
* "Jesus Loves Me" (contain elements of "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands")
* "I Will Always Love You"
* "I'm Every Woman"
* "Greatest Love of All" (intro)
* "So Emotional"
* "Saving All My Love for You"
* "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)"
* "How Will I Know"
* "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"
* "(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman" / "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man" / "Ain't No Way"
* "Wonderful Counselor" (contain elements of "Freeway of Love")
* "Jesus Loves Me" (contain elements of "He's All Right")
* "I Will Always Love You"
* "I'm Every Woman"
* "Something in Common" (with Bobby Brown)
South Africa
* "Love's in Need of Love Today"
* "So Emotional"
* "Saving All My Love for You"
* "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)"
* "How Will I Know"
* "All at Once"/ "Where You Are" / "Lover for Life"
* "My Name Is Not Susan"
* "Queen of the Night"
* "I Have Nothing"
* "Touch the World" (performed with Cissy Houston and Tu Nokwe's Amajika Performing Arts choir)
* "Love Is"
* "Amazing Grace"
* "Master Blaster (Jammin')"
* "I Will Always Love You"
* "I'm Every Woman"
* "Greatest Love of All"
* "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".
* 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 performed an 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".
* During the show on September 30, 1994, Houston performed "You Are So Beautiful", "Amazing Grace" and closed the show with "I Will Always Love You".
* 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 ||||||
| July 5, 1993 | Miami | United States | James L. Knight Center | 14,200 / 14,200 | $491,150 |
| July 6, 1993 | Miami | United States | James L. Knight Center | 14,200 / 14,200 | $491,150 |
| July 8, 1993 | Miami | United States | James L. Knight Center | 14,200 / 14,200 | $491,150 |
| July 11, 1993 | Vienna | United States | Filene Center | 14,170 / 14,170 | $360,160 |
| July 12, 1993 | Vienna | United States | Filene Center | 14,170 / 14,170 | $360,160 |
| July 14, 1993 | Mansfield | United States | Great Woods Center for the Performing Arts | 19,000 / 19,900 | $995,000 |
| July 15, 1993 | Mansfield | United States | Great Woods Center for the Performing Arts | 19,000 / 19,900 | $995,000 |
| July 20, 1993 | New York City | United States | Radio City Music Hall | 28,720 / 28,720 | $1,458,025 |
| July 21, 1993 | New York City | United States | Radio City Music Hall | 28,720 / 28,720 | $1,458,025 |
| July 23, 1993 | New York City | United States | Radio City Music Hall | 28,720 / 28,720 | $1,458,025 |
| July 24, 1993 | New York City | United States | Radio City Music Hall | 28,720 / 28,720 | $1,458,025 |
| July 26, 1993 | New York City | United States | Radio City Music Hall | 28,720 / 28,720 | $1,458,025 |
| July 28, 1993 | Atlantic City | United States | Copa Room | 12,000 / 12,000 | $791,112 |
| July 30, 1993 | Atlantic City | United States | Copa Room | 12,000 / 12,000 | $791,112 |
| July 31, 1993 | Atlantic City | United States | Copa Room | 12,000 / 12,000 | $791,112 |
| August 1, 1993 | Atlantic City | United States | Copa Room | 12,000 / 12,000 | $791,112 |
| August 3, 1993 | Atlantic City | United States | Copa Room | 12,000 / 12,000 | $791,112 |
| August 4, 1993 | Atlantic City | United States | Copa Room | 12,000 / 12,000 | $791,112 |
| Europe ||||||
| August 13, 1993 | Copenhagen | Denmark | Parken Stadium | 38,065 / 38,065 | $3,806,500 |
| August 15, 1993 | Kolding | Denmark | Kolding Stadion | 10,000 / 10,000 | $855,600 |
| North America ||||||
| August 22, 1993 | Los Angeles | United States | Hollywood Bowl | 17,006 / 17,006 | $625,030 |
| August 23, 1993 | San Diego | United States | Embarcadero Marina Park South | 4,567 / 4,700 | $392,762 |
| August 25, 1993 | Cerritos | United States | Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts | 5,163 / 5,163 | $473,275 |
| August 27, 1993 | Cerritos | United States | Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts | 5,163 / 5,163 | $473,275 |
| August 28, 1993 | Cerritos | United States | Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts | 5,163 / 5,163 | $473,275 |
| Asia ||||||
| September 1, 1993 | Osaka | Japan | Osaka-jō Hall | 31,897 / 32,000 | $2,870,730 |
| September 2, 1993 | Osaka | Japan | Osaka-jō Hall | 31,897 / 32,000 | $2,870,730 |
| September 6, 1993 | Tokyo | Japan | Nippon Budokan | 114,056 / 115,768 | $8,188,381 |
| September 7, 1993 | Tokyo | Japan | Nippon Budokan | 114,056 / 115,768 | $8,188,381 |
| September 9, 1993 | Tokyo | Japan | Nippon Budokan | 114,056 / 115,768 | $8,188,381 |
| September 10, 1993 | Tokyo | Japan | Nippon Budokan | 114,056 / 115,768 | $8,188,381 |
| September 13, 1993 | Tokyo | Japan | Nippon Budokan | 114,056 / 115,768 | $8,188,381 |
| September 14, 1993 | Tokyo | Japan | Nippon Budokan | 114,056 / 115,768 | $8,188,381 |
| September 16, 1993 | Nagoya | Japan | Nagoya Rainbow Hall | 10,000 / 10,000 | $2,500,000 |
| September 17, 1993 | Nagoya | Japan | Nagoya Rainbow Hall | 10,000 / 10,000 | $2,500,000 |
| September 19, 1993 | Yokohama | Japan | Yokohama Arena | 51,000 / 51,000 | $4,872,710 |
| September 20, 1993 | Yokohama | Japan | Yokohama Arena | 51,000 / 51,000 | $4,872,710 |
| September 22, 1993 | Fukuoka | Japan | Fukuoka Dome | 38,561 / 38,561 | $5,784,150 |
| September 24, 1993 | Yokohama | Japan | Yokohama Arena | — | — |
| September 27, 1993 | Tokyo | Japan | Nippon Budokan | — | — |
| September 28, 1993 | Tokyo | Japan | Nippon Budokan | — | — |
| Europe ||||||
| October 7, 1993 | Milan | Italy | Forum di Assago | — | — |
| October 8, 1993 | Milan | Italy | Forum di Assago | — | — |
| October 10, 1993 | Zürich | Switzerland | Hallenstadion | — | — |
| October 11, 1993 | Zürich | Switzerland | Hallenstadion | — | — |
| October 13, 1993 | Berlin | Germany | Deutschlandhalle | — | — |
| October 14, 1993 | Berlin | Germany | Deutschlandhalle | — | — |
| October 16, 1993 | Stockholm | Sweden | Stockholm Globe Arena | — | — |
| October 17, 1993 | Gothenburg | Sweden | Scandinavium | — | — |
| October 19, 1993 | Oslo | Norway | Oslo Spektrum | — | — |
| October 22, 1993 | Heerenveen | Netherlands | Thialf | — | — |
| October 23, 1993 | Maastricht | Netherlands | MECC Maastricht | — | — |
| October 25, 1993 | Frankfurt | Germany | Festhalle Frankfurt | — | — |
| October 27, 1993 | Birmingham | United Kingdom | NEC Arena | — | — |
| October 28, 1993 | Birmingham | United Kingdom | NEC Arena | — | — |
| October 30, 1993 | Birmingham | United Kingdom | NEC Arena | — | — |
| October 31, 1993 | Sheffield | United Kingdom | Sheffield Arena | — | — |
| November 2, 1993 | Sheffield | United Kingdom | Sheffield Arena | — | — |
| November 3, 1993 | Sheffield | United Kingdom | Sheffield Arena | — | — |
| November 5, 1993 | London | United Kingdom | Earls Court Exhibition Centre | — | — |
| November 6, 1993 | London | United Kingdom | Earls Court Exhibition Centre | — | — |
| November 7, 1993 | London | United Kingdom | Earls Court Exhibition Centre | — | — |
| November 9, 1993 | Dublin | Ireland | Point Theatre | — | — |
| November 10, 1993 | Dublin | Ireland | Point Theatre | — | — |
| 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 | Germany | Westfalenhalle | — | — |
| November 26, 1993 | Rotterdam | Netherlands | Rotterdam Ahoy Sportpaleis | — | — |
| November 27, 1993 | Rotterdam | Netherlands | Rotterdam Ahoy Sportpaleis | — | — |
| November 29, 1993 | Paris | France | Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy | — | — |
| November 30, 1993 | Paris | France | Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy | — | — |
| South America ||||||
| January 16, 1994 | São Paulo | Brazil | Estádio do Morumbi | — | — |
| January 18, 1994 | São Paulo | Brazil | Estádio do Morumbi | — | — |
| January 23, 1994 | Rio de Janeiro | Brazil | 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 | Buenos Aires | Argentina | Estadio José Amalfitani | — | — |
| April 21, 1994 | Caracas | Venezuela | Poliedro de Caracas | — | — |
| North America ||||||
| 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 | United States | Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum | — | — |
| June 23, 1994 | Philadelphia | United States | The Spectrum | — | — |
| June 24, 1994 | Providence | United States | Providence Civic Center | — | — |
| June 26, 1994 | Richfield | United States | Richfield Coliseum | — | — |
| June 27, 1994 | Auburn Hills | United States | The Palace of Auburn Hills | — | — |
| June 29, 1994 | Fairborn | United States | Nutter Center | — | — |
| July 1, 1994 | Minneapolis | United States | Target Center | 12,406 / 14,395 | $486,645 |
| July 2, 1994 | Rosemont | United States | Rosemont Horizon | — | — |
| July 5, 1994 | Atlanta | United States | Omni Coliseum | — | — |
| July 7, 1994 | Lafayette | United States | Cajundome | — | — |
| July 11, 1994 | Denver | United States | McNichols Sports Arena | — | — |
| July 13, 1994 | Las Cruces | United States | Pan American Center | — | — |
| August 12, 1994 | Las Vegas | United States | MGM Grand Garden Arena | — | — |
| August 14, 1994 | San Jose | United States | San Jose Arena | — | — |
| August 16, 1994 | Portland | United States | Memorial Coliseum | — | — |
| August 17, 1994 | Tacoma | United States | Tacoma Dome | — | — |
| August 19, 1994 | Sacramento | United States | ARCO Arena | — | — |
| August 21, 1994 | Anaheim | United States | Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim | — | — |
| August 23, 1994 | Phoenix | United States | America West Arena | — | — |
| August 25, 1994 | Houston | United States | The Summit | — | — |
| September 1, 1994 | Atlantic City | United States | Copa Room | — | — |
| September 3, 1994 | Atlantic City | United States | Copa Room | — | — |
| September 4, 1994 | Atlantic City | United States | Copa Room | — | — |
| September 7, 1994 | Atlantic City | United States | Copa Room | — | — |
| September 9, 1994 | Atlantic City | United States | Copa Room | — | — |
| September 10, 1994 | Atlantic City | United States | Copa Room | — | — |
| September 16, 1994 | New York City | United States | Radio City Music Hall | 39,607 / 39,607 | $2,668,940 |
| September 17, 1994 | New York City | United States | Radio City Music Hall | 39,607 / 39,607 | $2,668,940 |
| September 20, 1994 | New York City | United States | Radio City Music Hall | 39,607 / 39,607 | $2,668,940 |
| September 21, 1994 | New York City | United States | Radio City Music Hall | 39,607 / 39,607 | $2,668,940 |
| September 27, 1994 | New York City | United States | Radio City Music Hall | 39,607 / 39,607 | $2,668,940 |
| September 28, 1994 | New York City | United States | Radio City Music Hall | 39,607 / 39,607 | $2,668,940 |
| September 30, 1994 | New York City | United States | Radio City Music Hall | 39,607 / 39,607 | $2,668,940 |
| Africa ||||||
| November 8, 1994 | Durban | South Africa | Kings Park Stadium | — | — |
| November 12, 1994 | Johannesburg | South Africa | Ellis Park Stadium | — | — |
| November 19, 1994 | Cape Town | South Africa | Green Point Stadium | — | — |
| Total | Total | Total | Total | 698,671 / 708,520 | $50,000,000 |

### Festivals and other miscellaneous performances

    $^A$ Summer Pops Series
    $^B$ Hollywood Rock

### Cancellations and rescheduled shows

| November 16, 1993 | Barcelona, Spain | Palau Sant Jordi | Cancelled |
| July 8, 1994 | Houston, Texas | The Summit | Rescheduled for August 25, 1994 |
| July 15, 1994 | San Diego, California | San Diego Sports Arena | Cancelled |
| July 16, 1994 | Anaheim, California | Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim | Rescheduled for August 21, 1994 |
| July 18, 1994 | Phoenix, Arizona | America West Arena | Rescheduled for August 23, 1994 |
| July 19, 1994 | Las Vegas, Nevada | MGM Grand Garden Arena | Rescheduled for August 12, 1994 |
| July 21, 1994 | San Jose, California | San Jose Arena | Rescheduled for August 14, 1994 |
| July 25, 1994 | Tacoma, Washington | Tacoma Dome | Rescheduled to August 17, 1994 |
| July 27, 1994 | Sacramento, California | ARCO Arena | Rescheduled for August 19, 1994 |
| September 23, 1994 | New York City, New York | Radio City Music Hall | Rescheduled to September 28, 1994 |
| September 24, 1994 | New York City, New York | Radio City Music Hall | Rescheduled to September 30, 1994 |
1.:^ Figures reported for the concerts held in New York City, July 1993.