Whitney: The Concert for a New South Africa
Encyclopedia
The Whitney - The Concert for a New South Africa was the title of three concerts which American singer Whitney Houston
performed in South Africa
to honor President Nelson Mandela
and to celebrate a newly unified South Africa in November 1994. Her first performance in Durban
, Nov. 8 and final one in Cape Town
on Nov. 19, set the stage for her much anticipated HBO televised performance on Nov. 12 at Ellis Park in Johannesburg
. These would make her the first major musician to visit the newly unified and apartheid free nation following Mandela's winning election. Houston performed to crowd of over 200,000 people in a special series of South African concerts. The concert satellited live from Johannesburg, was released on VHS in December, 1994. All proceedes from the concerts was donated by Whitney Houston and her foundation to carefully selected South African children's charities including two children's museums, the President's Trust Fund (for the freed Nelson Mandela), the Kagiso Foundation and several orphanages.
Whitney Houston
Whitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among...
performed in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
to honor President Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing...
and to celebrate a newly unified South Africa in November 1994. Her first performance in Durban
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
, Nov. 8 and final one in Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
on Nov. 19, set the stage for her much anticipated HBO televised performance on Nov. 12 at Ellis Park in Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
. These would make her the first major musician to visit the newly unified and apartheid free nation following Mandela's winning election. Houston performed to crowd of over 200,000 people in a special series of South African concerts. The concert satellited live from Johannesburg, was released on VHS in December, 1994. All proceedes from the concerts was donated by Whitney Houston and her foundation to carefully selected South African children's charities including two children's museums, the President's Trust Fund (for the freed Nelson Mandela), the Kagiso Foundation and several orphanages.
Setlist
- "Love's In Need Of Love Today"
- "So EmotionalSo Emotional"So Emotional" is a song recorded by American pop/ R&B singer Whitney Houston. The song was the third single from her second album Whitney, and was released on November 12, 1987....
" - "Saving All My Love for YouSaving All My Love for You"Saving All My Love for You" is a song written by Michael Masser and Gerry Goffin with arrangement by Gene Page. It was originally a minor hit for Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. in 1978 on their album Marilyn & Billy...
" - "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)"I Wanna Dance with Somebody " is the first single from Whitney Houston's second studio album Whitney. It was produced by Narada Michael Walden, and written by George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam of the band Boy Meets Girl, who had previously written the number-one Whitney Houston hit "How Will I...
" - "How Will I KnowHow Will I Know"How Will I Know" is a song recorded by American recording artist Whitney Houston for her debut album, entitled Whitney Houston, which was released in February 1985. It was released by Arista Records in November that year, as the album's third single. Composed by George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam,...
" - Love Song Medley:
- "I Love You"
- "All at Once"
- "Where You Are"
- "Lover for Life"
- "My Name Is Not SusanMy Name Is Not Susan"My Name Is Not Susan" was the fourth single released from Whitney Houston's third album, I'm Your Baby Tonight. The song was produced by L.A. Reid and Babyface and written by Eric Foster White...
" - "Queen of the NightQueen of the Night-Botany:* Queen of the night, Nightblooming cereus, several genera and species of cactus* Queen of the night, Cestrum nocturnum, a woody evergreen commonly known as Night-blooming Cestrum-Music:...
" - "I Have NothingI Have Nothing"I Have Nothing" is a song by American singer Whitney Houston and released as the third single from The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album on February 20, 1993 by Arista Records. The song was written by David Foster and Linda Thompson, and produced by Foster...
" - "Touch the World" (performed by Cissy HoustonCissy HoustonEmily "Cissy" Houston is a Grammy Award–winning American soul and gospel singer. She led a very successful career as a backup singer for such artists as Elvis Presley, Mahalia Jackson, Wishbone Ash and Aretha Franklin, and is now primarily a solo artist...
and the choir) - "Love Is"
- "Amazing GraceAmazing Grace"Amazing Grace" is a Christian hymn with words written by the English poet and clergyman John Newton , published in 1779. With a message that forgiveness and redemption are possible regardless of the sins people commit and that the soul can be delivered from despair through the mercy of God,...
" - "Master Blaster (Jammin')"
- "I Will Always Love YouI Will Always Love You"I Will Always Love You" is a song written by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton in 1973, who first released the song as a single in 1974.-Dolly Parton version:...
" - "I'm Every WomanI'm Every Woman"I'm Every Woman" is a hit song recorded by Chaka Khan in 1978. It was Chaka Khan's first hit outside of her recordings with funk band Rufus; the song was included on her platinum debut solo album Chaka. Produced by Arif Mardin and written by successful songwriting team Nickolas Ashford and Valerie...
" - "Greatest Love of AllGreatest Love of All"The Greatest Love of All" is a song written by Michael Masser and Linda Creed and originally recorded by George Benson for the 1977 Muhammad Ali biopic The Greatest. The song was later popularized by Whitney Houston. Creed wrote the lyrics in the midst of her struggle with breast cancer...
" - "HomeHome (The Wiz song)"Home" is a song from the 1975 Broadway musical, The Wiz. The song was performed by Stephanie Mills in the stage production and by Diana Ross in the 1978 film adaptation and released on the soundtrack album in 1978....
" - "I'm Every Woman (Reprise)"
The Band
- Musical Director: Rickey MinorRickey MinorRickey Minor is a music director, composer and music producer, now best known as musical director and bandleader for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno after Kevin Eubanks left. Minor was born in Monroe, Louisiana to parents Cole and Goldie Minor and was raised in South Central Los Angeles, CA...
- Bass guitar/Bass synthesizer: Rickey Minor
- All Guitars: Paul Jackson, Jr.Paul Jackson, Jr.Paul Jackson, Jr. is a fusion/urban jazz composer, arranger, producer and guitarist. He was born and raised in Los Angeles. Jackson knew by the age of fifteen that he wanted to become a professional musician...
- Keyboards: Bette SussmanBette SussmanBette Sussman is an American television composer, singer, songwriter, pianist, and musical director.-Early life:Sussman was musically inspired by her mother and older sister, Sue. After her mother signed her up for piano lessons at age four, she studied classical music till she graduated from high...
, Wayne Linsey, Joe Wolfe - Drums: Michael Baker
- Percussions: Bashiri Johnson
- Saxophones/EWI: Kirk WhalumKirk WhalumKirk Whalum is an American smooth jazz saxophonist and songwriter. He toured as Whitney Houston's opening act for several years. Whalum has also recorded a series of well received solo albums and film soundtracks, with music ranging from pop to R&B to smooth jazz...
, Gary BiasGary BiasGary Bias has been the saxophonist with the Earth, Wind & Fire horns since 1987.He has won a Grammy Award in 1987 in the Best Rhythm & Blues Song category for co-writing the song "Sweet Love" with Anita Baker and Louis A. Johnson.... - Trumpet: Michael Steward, Oscar BrashearOscar BrashearOscar Brashear is an American jazz trumpeter and session musician.After studying at DuSable High School he worked briefly with Woody Herman before going on to join Count Basie '68-9, returning to freelance in Chicago with Sonny Stitt, Gene Ammons, Dexter Gordon and James Moody...
- Trombone: George Bohanon
- Background Vocalists: Olivia McClurkin, Alfie Silas, Pattie HowardPattie HowardPattie Howard born Francine Patience Howard is an American Gospel and R&B singer-songwriter, producer, and vocal arranger. She is a 30 years+ music industry veteran who has released two albums with major record labels, RCA Records and Light Records...
- Dancers: Carolyn Brown, Merlyn Mitchell, Shane Johnson, Saleema Mubaarak
- Little girls dancers: Fajaliah Harper, Vanity Ramdhan, Sylvia Enriquez, Mistey Ramdhan, Mercedez Demus