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ARCHIVE NEWSFILE
MAY - JUNE 1998
| Italian Show Problems... Last night's show in Verona, Italy has brought reviews which are not as positive as those for the Germany shows. Barbara B has forwarded her review of the Italian show. NEWSFILE: 30 JUNE 1998 |
| Next Week... Time is flying and it's just next week that Whitney performs her UNICEF show in Aschaffenburg, Germany and before that, her all important UK show in Manchester - the only major city in England Whitney has not yet performed in. NEWSFILE: 28 JUNE 1998 |
| Earth Bound... Whitney's brilliant support act, Connor Reeves will have to become a bit of a jet-setter if he's to keep up with his own demanding schedule. On Saturday 4th July, he will play ahead of Whitney in Lisbon, Portugal. On Sunday 5th July Connor will perform in London as part of the Capital's biggest music event ever in Hyde Park - Party In The Park - in aid of the Prince's Trust. On Monday 6th July, Connor will need to be in Paris, France for the Whitney show in the City that night. NEWSFILE: 28 JUNE 1998 |
| Missy, Scary, Whitney... Missy Elloit has spoken to MTV confirming that she is currently writing songs for possible inclusion on the new Whitney Houston album. Missy has just recently completed work with Scary Spice, Mel B on the song "I Think I Want You Back" from the soundtrack to the movie "Why Do Fools Fall In Love". She is also likely to be working on the new Spice Girls album. NEWSFILE: 28 JUNE 1998 |
| All Change At Aristaweb... Arista have finally re-instated their link to the Whitney Houston Platinum Club. It's a step in the right direction although the link to the Whitney Houston Foundation For Children has yet to re-appear. The Platinum Club link is now the only link out of the site. NEWSFILE: 27 JUNE 1998 |
| Four, Five... Whitney performed tonight and last night at the Monaco Sporting Club in Monte Carlo. The shows are the only black tie events of this European Tour. Whitney now has Sunday and Monday to rest before the next stop in Portugal on Tuesday night. NEWSFILE: 27 JUNE 1998 |
| Setlist For European Tour... Wanna know what Whitney has been singing during this tour? Click here to read the Setlist for the first couple of shows. NEWSFILE: 26 JUNE 1998 |
| Classic Whitney - VH-1 Broadcast... VH-1 Europe have confirmed that they are to broadcast Classic Whitney on their network sometime in August. It is not known which of the two shows will air at this time. [Thanks Neal M & Nikesh]NEWSFILE: 26 JUNE 1998 |
| Rotterdam Show Cancelled, PC Makes
Statement... The Whitney Houston Platinum Club have made an unpresidented statement regarding the cancellation of her Rotterdam show. It reads as follows: Whitney Houston has been forced to cancel her upcoming show in Rotterdam due to scheduling conflicts. She very much regrets that she will not be able to perform there. We also want to make it very clear that this cancellation has nothing to do with health or performing. Whitney is in fine health and singing as strong as ever. She looks forward to her newly added show in Verona, Italy, June 29th. The venue is a 2000 year old amphitheatre and it promises to be a night never to be forgotten. It's clear to me that The Platinum Club feel forced to make such a statement because the media, and some "fans" will choose to read way too much into the cancellation of this show. Well Done PC for addressing this appropriately - Manish. NEWSFILE: 26 JUNE 1998 |
| Bobby's Charge... Bobby was arrested in Beverly Hills on Sunday for misdemeanor
sexual assault. A citizen's arrest was made as he was arriving at the Beverly Hills Hotel
around 4:15 in the afternoon. [Thanks Claudia]NEWSFILE: 25 JUNE 1998 |
| Emulation... I remember a VH1 interview with Connor, a few months ago, when he said he learnt to sing by listening to Whitney on his Walkman in the park and emulating her!. [Thanks Sadiq]NEWSFILE: 25 JUNE 1998 |
| Can't Exhale... Nadine has confirmed that Whitney did not sing "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" on the show in Halle, Germany on 20 June 1998. Here's hoping that Whitney does her usual tour thang by singing a few core songs and a few songs which rotate in the schedule...please let that schedule include "Exhale" in Manchester &/or Aschaffenburg! [Thanks Nadine]NEWSFILE: 23 JUNE 1998 |
| Take My Breath Away... Whitney performs tonight in Berlin, Germany for the third of her dates as part of the European Tour. The show is her last in Germany until her Aschaffenburg show on 11 July. NEWSFILE: 23 JUNE 1998 |
| New Music, New Projects... [Information from the Associated Press] I heard she was covering a Henry Mancini song called
"With Love". I also heard she has signed to do a movie by "Eve's
Bayou" writer Kasi Lemmons. It is called "Eight Pieces For Jossette". [Thanks Marco]NEWSFILE: 23 JUNE 1998 |
| Concert Review... At Last - the first of the reviews for Whitney's European Tour is in. You can find the extensive review by Klaus-Peter on the European Tour Reviews Section in which he also confirms that Connor Reeves is the support act for Whitney on this tour. NEWSFILE: 22 JUNE 1998 |
| Aschaffenberg... The Whitney Houston Platinum Club are in the process of mailing everyone who has tickets for the UNICEF Summer Open Air Festival '98 about the collection of tickets for the event. The letter should be produced with the Platinum Club membership card and another card as ID at the Loherstrasse entrance. It is also from this entrance that early entrance into the stadium will be permitted for fans who have Platinum Club tickets (3:35pm) General admission entrance is at 4:00pm and the concert is scheduled to begin at 8:30pm. NEWSFILE: 22 JUNE 1998 |
| Support Act... It's not perfectly clear just who is supporting Whitney on the European Tour but a comment that the song "My Father's Eyes" leads me to believe that it's not Eric Clapton, but Connor Reeves who sings "My Father's Son". Connor has just recently completed dates with The Lighthouse Family in Europe and has the distiction of having written songs for Anita Baker and Tina Turner in the recent past. Confirmation of the support act as soon as I get it. NEWSFILE: 22 JUNE 1998 |
| The Reviews Are... Great! Whitney's European Tour has so far raised some outstanding reviews. A few of the promised reviews for this site about the shows are late coming in but there are some reviews on Rachel's Whitney Worship Webpage. From what I have heard/read so far, Whitney performs for approximately 90 minutes on a stage similar to her [untitled] Bodyguard era World Tour of 1993. The show begins with I'm Every Woman and closes with "Step By Step" - her biggest European hit in many years. The show also holds true to some of the Classic Whitney set and by including a set of songs in tribute to Diana Ross. I know I am not the only one who's wishing that Whitney will bring her beautiful rendition of "Missing You" to the stage at Manchester's Nynex Arena. NEWSFILE: 22 JUNE 1998 |
| Bobby... London's Capital Radio this morning reported that Bobby Brown was arrested at the weekend in LA on a charge of battery. Full details about the incident are not clear although this does obviously confirm that Bobby is not in Europe with Whitney. NEWSFILE: 22 JUNE 1998 |
| Two... Whitney will tonight perform the second night of her exclusive European Tour. The show will again be at the Garry Weber Stadium in Halle, Germany where she performed last night. All reviews for any of the shows on this tour will be gratefully received. NEWSFILE: 21 JUNE 1998 |
| Tonight, Tonite... Within two hours of posting this message, Whitney Houston will appear on stage at the Garry Weber Stadium in Halle, Germany for the opening night of her European Tour. The tour marks Whitney's first set of dates in the continent since 1993. Welcome To Europe Whitney. NEWSFILE: 20 JUNE 1998 |
| Whitney Has Arrived... Whitney Houston has arrived in Europe for the start of her European Tour. The first date is tomorrow night in Halle, Germany. If you are due to attend any of the upcoming shows (especially tomorrow's opening night!) please E-Mail Me with a review. NEWSFILE: 19 JUNE 1998 |
Whitney Live In Manchester...
Manish & Matt,
Nynex Arena, Manchester, England,
9 July 1998
FRONT ROW, Next To Clive Davis
;-)
NEWFILE: 18 JUNE 1998
| New Whitney Site... Whitney Houston - The All Round Entertainer is the latest Whitney Website to be introduced. This site is run by Wes Horton. Welcome aboard Wes. NEWSFILE: 18 JUNE 1998 |
Undisputed Facts...
The '90s has bought along alot of big named artists who pretend to have even bigger sales. UK music trade magazine Music Week recently produced a listing of the biggest selling albums of the 90s. These figures are compiled by Media Research Publishing and represent actual sales, not shipment figures of albums as as the end of 1997. The titles listed are all albums which have sold more than 14 Million copies by the end of 1997 - hense why we don't see Celine Dion's "Let's Talk About Love" or the Titanic Soundtrack.
| Position | Title / Artist | Worldwide Sales |
| 1 | The Bodyguard - Whitney Houston/Various | 30 Million |
| 2 | Falling Into You - Celine Dion | 25 Million |
| 3 | Music Box - Mariah Carey | 24 Million |
| 4 | Jagged Little Pill - Alanis Morissette | 23 Million |
| 5= | Daydream - Mariah Carey | 18 Million |
| 5= | Dangerous - Michael Jackson | 18 Million |
| 5= | Spice - Spice Girls | 18 Million |
| 8 | II - Boyz II Men | 15 Million |
| 9= | The Sign - Ace Of Base | 14 Million |
| 9= | Cross Road, The Best Of - Bon Jovi | 14 Million |
| 9= | So Far So Good - Bryan Adams | 14 Million |
| 9= | The Colour Of My Love - Celine Dion | 14 Million |
| 9= | Lion King OST - Elton John / Various | 14 Million |
| 9= | Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em - MC Hammer | 14 Million |
| 9= | Nevermind - Nirvana | 14 Million |
The listing conclusively shows that Michael Jackson's "HIStory" project did not surprass 14 Million copies, and claims that Madonna's "The Immaculate Collection" has sold over 19 Million copies are incorrect. The figures for these two albums probably being hyped by the record labels.
NEWSFILE: 17 JUNE 1998
European Tour Begins This Week!...
| The time seems to have come around quite quickly -
Whitney Houston's European Tour
beings at the end of this week with the first date in Halle, Germany on Saturday. Reviews for any of the shows in the tour will be very welcome! NEWSFILE: 14 JUNE 1998 |
Arista's Weekly Word...
| Arista Record's Weekly Word site marks the first time that any sort of statement about the new album is made from the label. The Real Audio site mentions that the new album is coming soon. |
NEWSFILE: 13 JUNE 1998
Every Song Performed...
| I am pleased to incorporate into the site, a
complete listing of all the songs Whitney Houston has performed which don't appear on one
of her six albums. The painstaking task of compiling this lisiting was done by Chip Harmison (you'll recognise the name from his great contributions to the Bulletin Board). The listing can be found here and a permanent link to this new page can be found on the singles page. |
[Sincere Thanks Chip]
NEWSFILE: 13 JUNE 1998
Cancelled Show...
Whitney's concert planned for 30 June in Amhem, Holland has been canelled. No specifics have been given. Whitney will now perform another date on 1 July at the Ahoy in Rotterdam, Holland.
NEWSFILE 11 JUNE 1998
New Releases In July...
| Billboard
Magazine have announced the release schedule for album in July. A Whitney Houston
release is not mentioned and in their summary for August releases there is also no mention
of a Whitney release. For Whatever reason, Billboard don't mention the 14 release of Monica Arnold's new album "The Boy Is Mine" so maybe all is not lost just yet(!). Noteworthy releases include Jermaine Dupri's new album "Life in 1492" and the new Luther Vandross album due for release 28 July. Could his Whitney duet finally surface on this album? |
NEWSFILE 11 JUNE 1998
Italian Gig Confirmed...
| As predicted here on 16 May, Whitney has added a show in Italy as part of her European Tour. The show in Verona will be performed on 29 June 1998. |
NEWSFILE: 11 JUNE 1998
Interview on GMTV...
Whitney's first interview for UK TV since 1996 aired this morning on GMTV (a breakfast television show). The interview was conducted in New York and during the same set of interviews that the German Sat-1 interview took place.
The interview was fairly brief, and not very detailed, being interlaced with video footage - the only new footage was that of Whitney & Brandy in the studio when they recorded the soundtrack to "Cinderella".
Asked about being on stage, Whitney replied: "The stage doesn't fighten me, it's the commanding of the stage. To keep people's attention for ninety minutes is pretty intense.
Do you feel Hollywood has accepted you as an
actress:
"I don't think they have a choice. I really don't. "The Bodyguard", even if
the critics didn't like it, the people did. People think the colour of Hollywood is black
or white - The colour of Hollywood is green. It's called money, it's what they Bank on.
In discussing "Cinderella", a TV movie which attracted a record 60 Million viewers in the US at the end of last year, Whitney said "An African Amercian Cinderella....Who would have thought 50 years ago?!"
Whitney seemed genuinely pleased to be working with Will Smith on the new romantic comedy, "Anything For You", saying "Will is the man. Will is the man in Hollywood, he makes us all very proud. Not only is he the best at what he does but he's a really cool person.
Talking about Bobbi Kristina Whitney commented "Bobbi Kris is special, she's truely me & Bobby's child. She's born into amd she knows what it's all about already. She's adapted. She takes it very well, it's very natural for her.
Do you think she'll follow in your footsteps?
"...Yeah, pretty much. I think Krissy will do probably more than I, which is what she's supposed to do. I can see her as a doctor or a lawyer, sure...but you know, it's inevitable..we have this genetic thing running through the family, it's inevitable...can't fight it."
NEWSFILE: 10 JUNE 1998
Platinum Club Announcement About UNICEF Show...
The Platinum club are shortly to mail everyone who's bought tickets for the Aachaffenburg show via the club. I've been told the tickets will not be dispacted to evryone's addresses, but held for collection at the Stadium itself. The show is general adimittance, but the club have confirmed that arrangements will be made to allow the fan club members early enterance into the venue.
NEWSFILE: 10 JUNE 1998
Tonight...
This evening, Whitney Houston will perform a special tribute to Diana Ross at the Songwriters Hall Of Fame gala at the New York Sheraton. Whitney shares the stage with CeCe Winans.
NEWFILE: 10 JUNE 1998
The Bodyguard II...
Whitney confirmed that she and Kevin Costner are
discussion the possibility of a "Bodyguard II" movie during her interview on the
Magic Hour.[info provided by Dave via the Bulletin Board.]NEWSFILE: 9 JUNE 1998 |
The Magic Hour...
| Chip Harmison has kindly posted a fairly detailed
account of Whitney's appearance last night on the new Magic Johnson show on the Bulletin Board. NEWSFILE: 9 JUNE 1998 |
Duet Clarification...
Although still a very likely event, the Whitney Houston/Mariah Carey duet was not confirmed by Billboard Magazine. I should have my copy in the next day or two when I will confirm exactly what was stated but it seems the article only discusses the possibility following comments from Dreamworks and Mariah Carey.
Apologies for the confusion (and deciding to take a chance on someone else's interpretation of an article in Billboard).
NEWFILE: 9 JUNE 1998
Whitney On Sat-1...
Whitney was on German TV channel Sat-1 tonight. The interview mainly covered information about her meteoric rise, "The Bodyguard", her marriage to Bobby Brown and showed some touching scenes from her visit to South Africa. Whitney talked a little about Europe's continued support of her.
Asked about her new album, Whitney said "I'm working with alot of hot producers...people of the charts today and very popular. I feel really cool about that...being able to get back into the game working with people that are hot now, you know...and having the pleasure and privilege of working with them. The combination of the two should be very interesting, with todays sound."
NEWSFILE: 6 JUNE 1998
Whitney Houston & Mariah Carey Duet Confirmed...
It's official - Whitney Houston & Mariah Carey will sing a duet for the upcoming animated movie "Prince Of Egypt". The confirmation came through this weeks Billboard Magazine.
The movie is the first animated picture to come from the recently formed Dreamworks company and will see it's US release at theatres on 18 December 1998.
The title for the song is not yet know and it's also not known who the song is written by What is known is that it will be produced by Babyface.
It's little over two years ago when I met Mariah in London and asked her about a duet with Whitney to which she responded with a smile which was hard to interpret. Looks like we have the answer now.
NEWSFILE: 6 JUNE 1998
Sat1...
German Satellite channel Sat1 will tonight broadcast an interview with Whitney Houston about the upcoming European tour. The show will air 19:15 CET (18:15 BST).
NEWSFILE: 6 JUNE 1998
Magic...
Whitney Houston will appear on the premiere show
from basketball legend, Earvin "Magic" Johnson. The debut of "The Magic
Hour" will feature Whitney and Arnold Schwarzenegger. The show will air this Monday,
June 8th on the Fox network.
Please check your local listings for the exact time.
[information from the Whitney Houston Platinum Club.] |
NEWSFILE: 6 JUNE 1998
Selling Fast...
Tickets for Whitney's Manchester show went on sale to the public on Friday and by Friday night, most of the tickets were sold.
An Article in the British press (Manchester Evening Times) on Friday ran with the heading "Whitney Plays Manchester, Snubs London On World Tour". Although there are a few discrepancies in the article (it is the British press after all) it's worth a read. It cites the high prices for the tickets but that they are still expected to sell out. Manchester City is pleased to have beaten out London on Whitney tour and the article states that Whitney personally decided that she would play Manchester over London - a city she's never performed in against a city she's performed 23 shows in.
The most interesting part of the article comes from a statement from her British spokesman Roxey Meade who says "Whitney had already agreed to play a benefit concert for UNICEF in Germany on July 11 and decided she would like to do a handful of other concerts while she was in Europe".
The statement puts paid to suggestion that an album may be imminent although there's nothing better to profiile an exclusive set of European tour dates (which is exactly what this is) than a really good single out there on the radio and on record store shelves.
What about it Arista?
NEWSFILE: 31 MAY 1998
Paris Concert...
With the French truckers strike imminent, it seems a very strong possibility that Whitney's Paris performance on 6 July 1998 may be effected.
The dispute has been on-going for at least a year now and on two occasions in the past year, their strikes have lead to large numbers of heavy good vehicles being piled up on the French ports. The dispute now gets a new gear for the strikers with the World Cup about to start shortly (they've planned it that way for maximum effect).
How does this effect Whitney? The whole stage and lighting for the shows is likely to be carried by road across Europe and with blockades expected in Paris it's very likely that if the strikes continue, the Paris shows are under threat. The road crews need to get the show moved from Portugal (4 July) to Paris and then on to Manchester, England (9 July) and finally on to the main show of the year, Aachaffenburg, Germany on 11 July 1998.
Last year, Creation recording act Oasis were unable to get their trucks out of France for a week which lead to some of their shows being cancelled. It's very unlikely that any risks will be taken which would threaten the final show of the European Tour which benefits UNICEF.
NEWSFILE: 29 MAY 1998
New Music
With the European Tour just five weeks away, there is still no official confirmation of a Greatest Hits album, or a single being released. Although not out of style for Arista Records (they also delayed announcements about the actual release of "Waiting To Exhale" and "The Preacher's Wife"), it does seem strange that an announcement that a new album of studio material will be recorded straight after the tour.
If there is to be an album this summer to co-inside with the tour, it'll be preceded by a single which should go to radio in about three weeks time.
NEWSFILE: 16 MAY 1998
More European Dates?...
It is a strong possibility that further dates may be added to Whitney's European Tour. Since the announcement of the first eight shows by the Platinum Club, a further two shows (both in Monte Carlo, Monaco) have been announced. Whilst the Platinum Club Travel Package is for three nights in London, no London shows have been announced and so far, it seems as though the Aachaffenburg show for UNICEF is the final show.
My own personal view is that further dates will be announced as it's a very strange tour if it doesn't include shows in Spain, Italy and London.
NEWSFILE: 16 MAY 1998
After The Tour...
Whitney has confirmed that she will be recording a full new studio album straight after her European Tour is over. Whitney will also be working on her new movie alongside Will Smith, "Anything For You", for which there is definitely going to be a soundtrack album.
NEWSFILE: 16 MAY 1998
Essence...
Patti La Belle will be honoured at the Essence Awards with a special Lifetime Achievement Award presented to her by Whitney Houston.
The show will air in the US on 21 May 1998 (8pm EST Fox).
NEWSFILE: 16 MAY 1998
Ms Diana Ross...
Whitney Houston will present Diana Ross with an award in June. Details of which awards ceremony this will occur have not been announced.
NEWSFILE: 16 MAY 1998
Rehearsals Begin...
Rehearsals for Whitney's European Tour will begin in the next week in New York.
NEWSFILE: 16 MAY 1998
Platinum Club...
The Whitney Houston Platinum Club have arranged a travel package to co-inside with Whitney's European Tour.
The package includes three nights in Paris and London and two shows (Paris and Manchester). Platinum Club - Join Whitney In France & England.
NEWSFILE: 16 MAY 1998
Confirmed European Tour...
Whitney Houston's European Tour Dates have now been confirmed:
| 20 June 1998 21 June 1998 23 June 1998 26 June 1998 27 June 1998 30 June 1998 4 July 1998 6 July 1998 9 July 1998 11 July 1998 |
Halle, Germany Halle, Germany Berlin Germany Monte Carlo, Monaco Monte Carlo, Monaco Amhem, Holland Lisbon, Portugal Paris, France Machester England Aschaffenburg, Germany |
Full details of the venues can be found on the Tour Dates page.
NEWSFILE: 16 MAY 1998
Unconfirmed Shows...
Further dates have been added to Whitney schedule to co-inside with her UNICEF show on July 9th. The additional dates - which are yet to be officially confirmed - include:
Halle, Germany, June 20 & 21
Berlin, Germany, June 23
Lisbon, Portugal, July 3
Paris, France, July 6
Manchester, England; July 9
If anyone has further information about these dates, please E-Mail Me.
NEWSFILE: 12 MAY 1998
Announcing...
At long last, I am pleased to announce the launch of this WebSite's own Bulletin Board.
One of the many reasons I didn't have the Board in place before was that my service provider doesn't support CGI and I couldnt find a BBS provider who would give me what I was looking for. I've found that now so check it out by following the link above and please let me know what you think.
NEWSFILE: 8 MAY 1998
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www.classicwhitney.com
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