# The Rapture Tour

The Rapture Tour was the first headlining concert tour by American recording artist Anita Baker in support of her second studio album Rapture (1986). The tour started in mid-March 1986, visiting several cities throughout North America and Europe. In 1987, Baker kicked off a North America second leg trek, which included seven dates in Los Angeles at the Beverly Theatre in January, including two and three-night dates in Merrillville, Indiana, New York City and Miami, Florida. The outing included four sold-out shows scheduled in Washington, D.C., and three consecutive dates for the second visit in Merrillville, Indiana.

## Concert synopsis

The tour consisted of a selection of songs from Baker's 1983 debut, The Songstress and the majority of the Rapture album. For each performance, Baker would perform songs from both albums, and also include a song from other artists. For example, she performed "You've Changed" by Sarah Vaughan for one show, and Van Morrison's "Moondance" for another. She performed several shows throughout the week in Los Angeles, with gospel/R&B group the Perri Sisters joining as background vocals and toured with Baker for the remainder of the tour.

## The Band

* Music Director: Bobby Lyle
* Guitar: Donald Griffin
* Keyboards: Bobby Lyle
* Percussions: Garry Glenn
* Saxophone: Gerald Albright
* Bass: Nathan East
* Drums: James Bradley, Jr
* Backing vocalists (1986): Tanya Boyd, Saundra Simmons, and Natalie Jackson
* Backing vocalists (1987): Perri Sisters, Gina Taylor, and Freida Williams

## Opening acts

* Perri Sisters (North America, select dates)
* Pieces of a Dream (North America, November–December 1986, select dates)
* Durell Coleman (North America, February 1987)
* Rhonda Hansome (North America, July–September 1987, select dates)
* Nat Augustin (London)
* Tease (Baltimore)
* The Controllers (New York City, September 1986)
* The Rose Brothers (St. Louis, August 1986)

## Setlist

The following setlist was obtained from the concert held on January 2, 1987, at the Beverly Theatre in Los Angeles, California. It does not represent all concerts for the duration of the tour.
* "Caught Up in the Rapture"
* "Will You Be Mine"
* "Angel"
* "Mystery"
* "Stop to Love"
* "You're the Best Thing Yet"
* "Same Ole Love (365 Days a Year)"
* "You Bring Me Joy"
* "Watch Your Step"
* "Sweet Love
* "No One in the World"
* "Been So Long"
* "No More Tears"
* "Blessed"

### Notes

*The concert on July 16, in Montreux, Switzerland, she performed Van Morrison's song "Moondance".

## Tour dates

| Date | City | Country | Venue |
| North America ||||
| March 16, 1986 | Detroit | United States | State Theatre |
| March 17, 1986 | Chicago | United States | Auditorium Theatre |
| March 19, 1986 | Merrillville | United States | Holiday Star Theatre |
| March 21, 1986 | Cincinnati | United States | Taft Theatre |
| March 22, 1986 | Cleveland | United States | State Theatre |
| March 24, 1986 | Buffalo | United States | Shea's O'Connell Center |
| March 25, 1986 | Albany | United States | Palace Theatre |
| March 26, 1986 | Hartford | United States | Bushnell Memorial Hall |
| March 28, 1986 | Providence | United States | Providence Performing Arts Center |
| March 29, 1986 | Lowell | United States | Lowell Memorial Auditorium |
| April 7, 1986 | Red Bank | United States | Count Basie Theatre |
| April 8, 1986 | New York City | United States | Alice Tully Hall |
| April 9, 1986 | Devon | United States | Valley Forge Music Fair |
| April 11, 1986 | Washington, D.C. | United States | Warner Theatre |
| June 9, 1986 | Milwaukee | United States | Riverside Theater |
| June 10, 1986 | Minneapolis | United States | State Theatre |
| June 11, 1986 | Joliet | United States | Rialto Square Theatre |
| June 13, 1986 | South Bend | United States | Morris Civic Auditorium |
| June 14, 1986 | Grand Rapids | United States | Grand Rapids Civic Auditorium |
| June 16, 1986 | Syracuse | United States | Landmark Theatre |
| June 17, 1986 | Hyannis | United States | Cape Cod Melody Tent |
| June 18, 1986 | Cohasset | United States | South Shore Music Circus |
| June 19, 1986 | Port Chester | United States | Capitol Theatre |
| June 20, 1986 | Newark | United States | Newark Symphony Hall |
| June 22, 1986 | Westbury | United States | Westbury Music Fair |
| June 23, 1986 | Westbury | United States | Westbury Music Fair |
| June 25, 1986 | New York City | United States | Avery Fisher Hall |
| June 27, 1986 | Baltimore | United States | Meyerhoff Symphony Hall |
| June 28, 1986 | Norfolk | United States | Chrysler Hall |
| June 29, 1986 | Raleigh | United States | Raleigh Memorial Auditorium |
| June 30, 1986 | Charlotte | United States | Ovens Auditorium |
| Europe ||||
| July 16, 1986 | Montreux | Switzerland | Montreux Casino |
| July 17, 1986 | Paris | France | Élysée Montmartre |
| July 18, 1986 | Brussels | Belgium | Ancienne Belgique |
| July 19, 1986 | Amsterdam | Netherlands | Melkweg |
| July 22, 1986 | Cardiff | Wales | St David's Hall |
| July 23, 1986 | Wolverhampton | England | Wolverhampton Civic Hall |
| July 24, 1986 | Manchester | England | Manchester Apollo |
| July 26, 1986 | London | England | Hammersmith Odeon |
| July 27, 1986 | London | England | Hammersmith Odeon |
| North America ||||
| August 1, 1986 | Detroit | United States | Masonic Temple Theater |
| August 8, 1986 | Washington, D.C. | United States | DAR Constitution Hall |
| August 10, 1986 | Louisville | United States | Louisville Gardens |
| August 11, 1986 | Nashville | United States | War Memorial Auditorium |
| August 12, 1986 | Atlanta | United States | Atlanta Civic Center |
| August 13, 1986 | Birmingham | United States | Birmingham Municipal Auditorium |
| August 16, 1986 | Chicago | United States | Arie Crown Theater |
| August 18, 1986 | Toledo | United States | Masonic Auditorium |
| August 19, 1986 | Indianapolis | United States | Murat Theatre |
| August 21, 1986 | St. Louis | United States | Fox Theatre |
| August 22, 1986 | Kansas City | United States | Midland Theatre |
| August 23, 1986 | Tulsa | United States | Brady Theater |
| August 24, 1986 | Little Rock | United States | Robinson Municipal Auditorium |
| August 26, 1986 | Houston | United States | Houston Music Hall |
| August 27, 1986 | Houston | United States | Houston Music Hall |
| August 28, 1986 | Houston | United States | Houston Music Hall |
| September 4, 1986 | Sunrise | United States | Sunrise Musical Theater |
| September 6, 1986 | New York City | United States | Radio City Music Hall |
| September 7, 1986 | New York City | United States | Radio City Music Hall |
| Europe ||||
| September 14, 1986 | Dublin | Ireland | Olympia Theatre |
| September 15, 1986 | Glasgow | Scotland | Theatre Royal |
| September 17, 1986 | Hamburg | West Germany | CCH Saal 3 |
| North America ||||
| September 23, 1986 | Chicago | United States | Arie Crown Theater |
| September 24, 1986 | Fort Wayne | United States | Embassy Theatre |
| September 25, 1986 | Detroit | United States | State Theatre |
| September 26, 1986 | Pittsburgh | United States | Syria Mosque |
| September 28, 1986 | Lexington | United States | Singletary Center for the Arts |
| September 30, 1986 | Chicago | United States | Arie Crown Theater |
| October 2, 1986 | Peoria | United States | Civic Center Theater |
| October 4, 1986 | Memphis | United States | Orpheum Theatre |
| October 5, 1986 | Memphis | United States | Orpheum Theatre |
| October 6, 1986 | Memphis | United States | Orpheum Theatre |
| October 8, 1986 | Chattanooga | United States | Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium |
| October 10, 1986 | Washington, D.C. | United States | DAR Constitution Hall |
| October 11, 1986 | Washington, D.C. | United States | DAR Constitution Hall |
| October 21, 1986 | Norfolk | United States | Chrysler Hall |
| October 22, 1986 | Richmond | United States | Mosque Theater |
| October 23, 1986 | Greensboro | United States | War Memorial Auditorium |
| October 24, 1986 | Columbia | United States | Township Auditorium |
| October 25, 1986 | Macon | United States | Macon City Auditorium |
| October 28, 1986 | Jacksonville | United States | Civic Auditorium |
| October 29, 1986 | Orlando | United States | Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre |
| October 30, 1986 | St. Petersburg | United States | Mahaffey Theater |
| November 19, 1986 | Highland Heights | United States | Front Row Theater |
| November 20, 1986 | Highland Heights | United States | Front Row Theater |
| November 21, 1986 | Chicago | United States | Arie Crown Theater |
| November 22, 1986 | Chicago | United States | Arie Crown Theater |
| November 23, 1986 | Chicago | United States | Arie Crown Theater |
| November 25, 1986 | St. Louis | United States | Fox Theatre |
| November 26, 1986 | St. Louis | United States | Fox Theatre |
| November 28, 1986 | Detroit | United States | Masonic Temple Theater |
| November 29, 1986 | Detroit | United States | Masonic Temple Theater |
| November 30, 1986 | Detroit | United States | Masonic Temple Theater |
| December 3, 1986 | Cincinnati | United States | Cincinnati Music Hall |
| December 4, 1986 | Detroit | United States | Masonic Temple Theater |
| December 5, 1986 | Detroit | United States | Masonic Temple Theater |
| December 27, 1986 | Los Angeles | United States | Beverly Theatre |
| December 28, 1986 | Los Angeles | United States | Beverly Theatre |
| December 30, 1986 | Los Angeles | United States | Beverly Theatre |
| December 31, 1986 | Los Angeles | United States | Beverly Theatre |
| January 2, 1987 | Los Angeles | United States | Beverly Theatre |
| January 4, 1987 | Los Angeles | United States | Beverly Theatre |
| January 5, 1987 | Los Angeles | United States | Beverly Theatre |
| February 4, 1987 | Oakland | United States | Paramount Theatre |
| February 5, 1987 | Oakland | United States | Paramount Theatre |
| February 6, 1987 | San Carlos | United States | Circle Star Theatre |
| February 7, 1987 | San Carlos | United States | Circle Star Theatre |
| February 8, 1987 | San Carlos | United States | Circle Star Theatre |
| February 14, 1987 | Sunrise | United States | Sunrise Musical Theater |
| February 15, 1987 | Sunrise | United States | Sunrise Musical Theater |
| February 18, 1987 | New Orleans | United States | Saenger Theatre |
| February 20, 1987 | New Orleans | United States | Saenger Theatre |
| February 21, 1987 | New Orleans | United States | Saenger Theatre |
| February 22, 1987 | Dallas | United States | Dallas Convention Center Arena |
| March 3, 1987 | Toronto | Canada | O'Keefe Centre |
| March 5, 1987 | Highland Heights | United States | Front Row Theater |
| March 6, 1987 | Highland Heights | United States | Front Row Theater |
| March 7, 1987 | Highland Heights | United States | Front Row Theater |
| March 8, 1987 | Highland Heights | United States | Front Row Theater |
| March 19, 1987 | Merrillville | United States | Holiday Star Theater |
| March 20, 1987 | Merrillville | United States | Holiday Star Theater |
| March 21, 1987 | Merrillville | United States | Holiday Star Theater |
| March 22, 1987 | Merrillville | United States | Holiday Star Theater |
| July 17, 1987 | Philadelphia | United States | Mann Music Center |
| July 18, 1987 | Columbia | United States | Merriweather Post Pavilion |
| July 19, 1987 | Atlanta | United States | Chastain Park Amphitheater |
| July 20, 1987 | Atlanta | United States | Chastain Park Amphitheater |
| July 22, 1987 | Nashville | United States | Starwood Amphitheatre |
| July 25, 1987 | Clarkston | United States | Pine Knob Music Theatre |
| July 26, 1987 | Clarkston | United States | Pine Knob Music Theatre |
| July 28, 1987 | Saratoga Springs | United States | Saratoga Performing Arts Center |
| July 31, 1987 | Holmdel Township | United States | Garden State Arts Center |
| August 1, 1987 | Wantagh | United States | Jones Beach Marine Theater |
| August 4, 1987 | Cuyahoga Falls | United States | Blossom Music Center |
| August 5, 1987 | Cuyahoga Falls | United States | Blossom Music Center |
| August 7, 1987 | Hoffman Estates | United States | Poplar Creek Music Theater |
| August 8, 1987 | Hoffman Estates | United States | Poplar Creek Music Theater |
| August 10, 1987 | Mansfield | United States | Great Woods Center for the Performing Arts |
| August 11, 1987 | Mansfield | United States | Great Woods Center for the Performing Arts |
| August 15, 1987 | Columbia | United States | Merriweather Post Pavilion |
| August 16, 1987 | Columbia | United States | Merriweather Post Pavilion |
| August 18, 1987 | Mobile | United States | Mobile Municipal Auditorium |
| August 19, 1987 | Huntsville | United States | Von Braun Civic Center |
| August 21, 1987 | Bonner Springs | United States | Sandstone Center for the Performing Arts |
| August 23, 1987 | Tempe | United States | ASU Activity Center |
| August 25, 1987 | Morrison | United States | Red Rocks Amphitheatre |
| August 27, 1987 | Seattle | United States | Mercer Arena |
| August 28, 1987 | Portland | United States | Civic Auditorium |
| August 29, 1987 | Portland | United States | Civic Auditorium |
| August 31, 1987 | San Carlos | United States | Circle Star Theatre |
| September 1, 1987 | San Carlos | United States | Circle Star Theatre |
| September 3, 1987 | Los Angeles | United States | Greek Theatre |
| September 4, 1987 | Los Angeles | United States | Greek Theatre |
| September 5, 1987 | Los Angeles | United States | Greek Theatre |
| September 6, 1987 | Los Angeles | United States | Greek Theatre |
| September 9, 1987 | Mountain View | United States | Shoreline Amphitheatre |
| September 11, 1987 | San Diego | United States | SDSU Open Air Theatre |
| September 12, 1987 | San Diego | United States | SDSU Open Air Theatre |
| September 13, 1987 | Irvine | United States | Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre |
| September 17, 1987 | Concord | United States | Concord Pavilion |
| September 18, 1987 | Sacramento | United States | ARCO Arena |
| September 19, 1987 | Las Vegas | United States | Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts |
| October 14, 1987 | New York City | United States | Radio City Music Hall |
| October 15, 1987 | New York City | United States | Radio City Music Hall |
| October 16, 1987 | New York City | United States | Radio City Music Hall |
| October 18, 1987 | New York City | United States | Radio City Music Hall |
| October 22, 1987 | Boston | United States | Wang Theatre |
| October 23, 1987 | Boston | United States | Wang Theatre |
| October 24, 1987 | Boston | United States | Wang Theatre |
| October 25, 1987 | Boston | United States | Wang Theatre |
| October 29, 1987 | Atlanta | United States | Fox Theatre |
| October 30, 1987 | Atlanta | United States | Fox Theatre |
| October 31, 1987 | Winston-Salem | United States | LJVM Coliseum Annex |
| November 12, 1987 | Detroit | United States | Masonic Temple Theater |
| November 13, 1987 | Detroit | United States | Masonic Temple Theater |
| November 14, 1987 | Pittsburgh | United States | Syria Mosque |
| November 15, 1987 | Pittsburgh | United States | Syria Mosque |
| November 17, 1987 | St. Louis | United States | Fox Theatre |
| November 18, 1987 | St. Louis | United States | Fox Theatre |
| November 21, 1987 | Washington, D.C. | United States | DAR Constitution Hall |
| November 22, 1987 | Washington, D.C. | United States | DAR Constitution Hall |
| November 24, 1987 | Washington, D.C. | United States | DAR Constitution Hall |
| November 25, 1987 | Washington, D.C. | United States | DAR Constitution Hall |
| November 27, 1987 | Merrillville | United States | Holiday Star Theatre |
| November 28, 1987 | Merrillville | United States | Holiday Star Theatre |
| November 29, 1987 | Merrillville | United States | Holiday Star Theatre |

### Festivals and other miscellaneous performances

    $^A$ This concert was a part of the "JVC Jazz Festival"
    $^B$ This concert was a part of the "Montreux Jazz Festival"
    $^C$ This concert was a part of the "Miller Genuine Draft Concerts at Jones Beach"

### Cancellations and rescheduled shows

| July 14, 1986 | Hamburg, West Germany | CCH Saal 3 | Rescheduled to September 17, 1986 |
| July 29, 1986 | Glasgow, Scotland | Theatre Royal | Rescheduled to September 15, 1986 |
| July 30, 1986 | Dublin, Ireland | Olympia Theatre | Rescheduled to September 14, 1986 |
| February 22, 1987 | Dallas, Texas | Music Hall at Fair Park | Moved to the Dallas Convention Center Arena |

### Box office score data

| Venue | City | Tickets sold / Available | Gross revenue |
| Meyerhoff Symphony Hall | Baltimore | 5,000 / 7,500 (67%) | $104,000 |
| Fox Theatre | St. Louis | 23,304 / 23,325 (100%) | $432,128 |
| Front Row Theatre | Highland Heights | 18,785 / 18,984 (99%) | $361,553 |
| Arie Crown Theater | Chicago | 12,957 / 12,957 (100%) | $255,580 |
| Masonic Temple Theater | Detroit | 30,029 / 30,029 (100%) | $586,103 |
| Cincinnati Music Hall | Cincinnati | 3,630 / 3,630 (100%) | $61,233 |
| Paramount Theatre | Oakland | 5,600 / 5,600 (100%) | $129,000 |
| Circle Star Theatre | San Carlos | 11,100 / 11,100 (100%) | $238,000 |
| Saenger Theatre | New Orleans | 8,400 / 8,400 (100%) | $181,000 |
| Dallas Convention Center Arena | Dallas | 7,600 / 9,816 (77%) | $119,000 |
| O'Keefe Centre | Toronto | 3,059 / 3,059 (100%) | $59,848 |
| Holiday Star Theater | Merrillville | 13,344 / 13,344 (100%) | $250,460 |
| Pine Knob Music Theatre | Clarkston | 17,071 / 28,000 (61%) | $313,685 |
| Garden State Arts Center | Holmdel Township | 8,663 / 10,802 (80%) | $146,943 |
| Jones Beach Marine Theater | Wantagh | 10,226 / 10,226 (100%) | $201,460 |
| Poplar Creek Music Theater | Hoffman Estates | 13,659 / 33,878 (40%) | $236,215 |
| Merriweather Post Pavilion | Columbia | 18,754 / 26,344 (71%) | $356,723 |
| Greek Theatre | Los Angeles | 24,748 / 24,748 (100%) | $611,750 |
| Shoreline Amphitheatre | Mountain View | 7,974 / 15,000 (53%) | $154,787 |
| SDSU Open Air Theatre | San Diego | 8,331 / 8,331 (100%) | $173,055 |
| Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre | Irvine | 10,418 / 10,418 (100%) | $199,556 |
| Concord Pavilion | Concord | 7,269 / 8,110 (90%) | $126,270 |
| ARCO Arena | Sacramento | 4,888 / 5,000 (98%) | $85,557 |
| Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts | Las Vegas | 7,000 / 7,000 (100%) | $142,156 |
| Wang Theatre | Boston | 16,254 / 16,254 (100%) | $394,672 |
| Fox Theatre | Atlanta | 8,638 / 8,638 (100%) | $216,573 |
| Syria Mosque Theater | Pittsburgh | 7,200 / 7,200 (100%) | $162,000 |
| DAR Constitution Hall | Washington, D.C. | 14,541 / 14,984 (97%) | $353,750 |
| TOTAL | TOTAL | 328,442 / 382,677 (86%) | $6,653,057 |

## VHS/DVD/CD release

Professional ratings :
| Review scores ||
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |
A DVD and CD live collection, entitled A Night of Rapture: Live was released in 2004 by Rhino Records, which reached #35 in the Billboard 'Top R&B/Hip-Hop albums' list.

### Track listing

* Caught Up in the Rapture – 5:29
* Mystery – 5:24
* Been So Long – 5:52
* No One in the World – 4:11
* Same Ole Love (365 Days a Year) – 3:59
* Watch Your Step – 6:20
* Moondance – 4:08
* You Bring Me Joy – 4:32
* Sweet Love – 7:20
* Sweet Love [Multimedia Track]
* You Bring Me Joy [Multimedia Track]
* No One in the World [Multimedia Track]