Slippery When Wet Tour


The Slippery When Wet Tour, by American hard rock band Bon Jovi, ran from 1986 to 1987. It supported the band's multi-platinum 1986 album Slippery When Wet and was their first major worldwide tour, visiting places such as Australia and Canada for the first time.
"I remember reading about how The Beatles stopped playing live, because everyone just screamed through all the shows", noted Jon Bon Jovi. "Musicianship and song quality meant so little to the fans that the band just felt undervalued. You know what? I understand what they mean. It got so bad when we toured for Slippery When Wet that there were times I was freaking out… We indulged in everything that was on offer. But it wasn't real, and what I wanted above all else was to be given credit for the work I put into the songs and into the recording… The problem was that I didn't notice how the image overtook what we were about."
Of the omission of recordings from this tour from One Wild Night Live 1985–2001, Jon Bon Jovi remarked: "It makes sense for the Slippery tour not to be represented, because at that time I was dosed up on cortisone and my voice was shot. Back then, it wasn't much of a voice."

Accompanying acts

supported at the majority of shows on the North American leg of the tour. In mainland Europe, Queensrÿche was the support. For the UK leg, support came from the British band FM on all dates except for the last two for which Queensrÿche was the support act. Other opening bands on this tour were Twisted Sister, The Smithereens, Keel and Winger, while The Choirboys were the direct support act for the Australian leg.
Judas Priest headlined the first leg in Canada and.38 Special headlined the second North American leg. "We were in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, when we found out that the album made number one in America…" Jon Bon Jovi recalled. "Bon Jovi were selling a million records a month and it was phenomenal..38 Special's manager said, 'Maybe we'll let you be co-headliners.' We went, 'Great. Gotta go now. It's our time."
The tour also took the band to the Monsters of Rock 1986 in Germany with Warlock, Michael Schenker Group, Def Leppard, Ozzy Osbourne and headliners Scorpions. Bon Jovi, as a headliner this time, played at Monsters of Rock again in 1987 in England, along with Dio, Metallica, Anthrax, W.A.S.P. and Cinderella.

Setlist

The setlist of the tour varied between shows and countries. An average of 16 to 18 songs were played at each show. This is a set list from the show at Kemper Arena, Kansas City, Missouri, United States which was also popular throughout the Tour:
  • "Pink Flamingos"
  • "Raise Your Hands"
  • "Breakout"
  • "I'd Die for You"
  • "Tokyo Road"
  • "You Give Love a Bad Name"
  • "Wild in the Streets"
  • "Never Say Goodbye"
  • "Livin' on a Prayer"
  • "Let it Rock"
  • Guitar solo
  • Drum solo
  • "In and Out of Love"
  • "Runaway"
  • "Wanted Dead or Alive"
  • "Drift Away"
  • "Get Ready"

    Tour dates

DateCityCountryVenueAttendanceRevenue
January 2, 1987HersheyUnited StatesHersheypark Arena7,653 / 7,653$94,245
January 3, 1987KingstonUnited StatesKingston Armory
January 4, 1987UticaUnited StatesUtica Memorial Auditorium
January 9, 1987DenverUnited StatesMcNichols Sports Arena16,995 / 16,995$249,621
January 10, 1987AlbuquerqueUnited StatesTingley Coliseum
January 11, 1987El PasoUnited StatesEl Paso County Coliseum8,000 / 8,000$115,880
January 13, 1987TucsonUnited StatesTucson Arena9,562 / 9,562$129,125
January 14, 1987PhoenixUnited StatesArizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum16,002 / 16,002$224,028
January 16, 1987San DiegoUnited StatesSan Diego Sports Arena13,675 / 13,675$198,240
January 18, 1987Las VegasUnited StatesThomas & Mack Center9,514 / 11,845$141,645
January 19, 1987San BernardinoUnited StatesNational Orange Showgrounds6,500 / 6,500$36,058
January 20, 1987FresnoUnited StatesSelland Arena9,085 / 9,085$122,097
January 21, 1987Long BeachUnited StatesLong Beach Arena13,783 / 13,783$218,729
January 23, 1987RenoUnited StatesLawlor Events Center9,567 / 9,567$148,289
January 24, 1987Daly CityUnited StatesCow Palace14,500 / 14,500$239,250
January 26, 1987SeattleUnited StatesSeattle Center Coliseum26,315 / 26,315$421,020
January 27, 1987SeattleUnited StatesSeattle Center Coliseum26,315 / 26,315$421,020
January 31, 1987TylerUnited StatesThe Oil Palace
February 2, 1987DallasUnited StatesReunion Arena17,798 / 17,798$248,308
February 3, 1987Corpus ChristiUnited StatesBayfront Plaza Convention Center5,088 / 5,088$71,451
February 4, 1987San AntonioUnited StatesSan Antonio Convention Center12,622 / 12,622$178,950
February 6, 1987Lake CharlesUnited StatesLake Charles Civic Center8,000 / 8,000$116,000
February 7, 1987HoustonUnited StatesThe Summit14,979 / 14,979$212,549
February 8, 1987AustinUnited StatesFrank Erwin Center16,069 / 16,069$251,664
February 10, 1987ShreveportUnited StatesHirsch Memorial Coliseum10,000 / 10,000$145,000
February 11, 1987StarkvilleUnited StatesHumphrey Coliseum
February 12, 1987BiloxiUnited StatesMississippi Coast Coliseum15,090 / 15,090$218,836
February 14, 1987Pembroke PinesUnited StatesHollywood Sportatorium13,154 / 13,154$184,156
February 15, 1987St. PetersburgUnited StatesBayfront Center8,600 / 8,600$129,000
February 17, 1987Fort MyersUnited StatesLee County Civic Center9,219 / 9,219$138,014
February 18, 1987JacksonvilleUnited StatesJacksonville Coliseum11,676 / 11,676$173,145
February 21, 1987San JuanPuerto RicoHiram Bithorn Stadium
February 24, 1987Oklahoma CityUnited StatesMyriad Convention Center14,450 / 14,450$216,750
February 26, 1987Kansas CityUnited StatesKemper Arena16,748 / 16,748$255,533
February 27, 1987St. LouisUnited StatesKiel Auditorium10,522 / 10,522$152,700
February 28, 1987Little RockUnited StatesBarton Coliseum10,000 / 10,000$150,000
March 1, 1987ShreveportUnited StatesHirsch Memorial Coliseum
March 2, 1987StarkvilleUnited StatesHumphrey Coliseum
March 3, 1987IndianapolisUnited StatesMarket Square Arena15,740 / 15,740$228,230
March 4, 1987ChicagoUnited StatesUIC Pavilion18,704 / 18,704$295,552
March 5, 1987ChicagoUnited StatesUIC Pavilion18,704 / 18,704$295,552
March 6, 1987RochesterUnited StatesMayo Civic Center7,490 / 7,490$116,095
March 8, 1987MilwaukeeUnited StatesMECCA Arena10,910 / 10,910$165,540
March 10, 1987DetroitUnited StatesCobo Arena23,998 / 23,998$395,967
March 11, 1987DetroitUnited StatesCobo Arena23,998 / 23,998$395,967
March 12, 1987IndianapolisUnited StatesMarket Square Arena
March 14, 1987RockfordUnited StatesRockford MetroCentre
March 19, 1987CincinnatiUnited StatesCincinnati Gardens20,410 / 20,410$300,510
March 20, 1987CincinnatiUnited StatesCincinnati Gardens20,410 / 20,410$300,510
March 21, 1987LexingtonUnited StatesRupp Arena22,283 / 22,283$334,245
March 23, 1987AtlantaUnited StatesOmni Coliseum31,663/ 31,663$490,777
March 24, 1987AtlantaUnited StatesOmni Coliseum31,663/ 31,663$490,777
March 25, 1987CharlotteUnited StatesCharlotte Coliseum12,900 / 12,900$189,915
March 27, 1987PittsburghUnited StatesCivic Arena16,282 / 16,282$224,455
March 28, 1987BuffaloUnited StatesBuffalo Memorial Auditorium
March 30, 1987Richfield TownshipUnited StatesRichfield Coliseum18,066 / 18,066$270,990
March 31, 1987HuntingtonUnited StatesHuntington Civic Center10,791 / 10,791$161,865
April 2, 1987PhiladelphiaUnited StatesSpectrum
April 3, 1987HartfordUnited StatesHartford Civic Center
April 4, 1987PhiladelphiaUnited StatesSpectrum
April 7, 1987UniondaleUnited StatesNassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum18,189 / 18,189$229,634
April 9, 1987BinghamtonUnited StatesBroome County Veterans Memorial Arena7,200 / 7,200$101,674
April 10, 1987TroyUnited StatesRPI Field House7,635 / 7,635$111,862
April 11, 1987SpringfieldUnited StatesSpringfield Civic Center
April 13, 1987LandoverUnited StatesCapital Centre17,787 / 17,787$293,496
April 15, 1987PhiladelphiaUnited StatesSpectrum34,340 / 34,340$466,550
April 16, 1987PhiladelphiaUnited StatesSpectrum34,340 / 34,340$466,550
May 1, 1987ProvidenceUnited StatesProvidence Civic Center25,664 / 25,664$416,666
May 2, 1987ProvidenceUnited StatesProvidence Civic Center25,664 / 25,664$416,666
May 3, 1987SyracuseUnited StatesOnondaga County War Memorial
May 5, 1987PittsburghUnited StatesCivic Arena16,553 / 16,553$248,441
May 6, 1987Richfield TownshipUnited StatesRichfield Coliseum
May 8, 1987RichmondUnited StatesRichmond Coliseum12,500 / 12,500$178,536
May 9, 1987GreensboroUnited StatesGreensboro Coliseum14,928 / 15,000$238,848
May 10, 1987HamptonUnited StatesHampton Coliseum13,800 / 13,800$199,070
May 12, 1987HuntsvilleUnited StatesVon Braun Civic Center9,891 / 9,891$148,365
May 13, 1987KnoxvilleUnited StatesStokely Athletic Center11,991 / 11,991$194,852
May 14, 1987BirminghamUnited StatesLegacy Arena17,220 / 17,220$258,300
May 16, 1987NashvilleUnited StatesStarwood Amphitheatre
May 17, 1987Des MoinesUnited StatesIowa State Fairgrounds Grandstand29,097$516,165
May 18, 1987St. LouisUnited StatesSt. Louis Arena18,423 / 18,423$281,232
May 20, 1987Fort WayneUnited StatesAllen County War Memorial Coliseum
May 21, 1987IndianapolisUnited StatesMarket Square Arena15,732 / 15,732$228,132
May 22, 1987LouisvilleUnited StatesFreedom Hall15,642 / 19,104$242,451
May 24, 1987ThornvilleUnited StatesBuckeye Lake Music Center42,500 / 42,500$680,000
May 26, 1987DetroitUnited StatesJoe Louis Arenarowspan=3 rowspan=3
May 27, 1987DetroitUnited StatesJoe Louis Arena--
May 29, 1987DetroitUnited StatesJoe Louis Arena--
May 29, 1987EvansvilleUnited StatesRoberts Municipal Stadium13,140 /13,140$203,745
May 30, 1987RosemontUnited StatesRosemont Horizon31,335 / 31,335$548,363
May 31, 1987RosemontUnited StatesRosemont Horizon31,335 / 31,335$548,363
June 5, 1987RockfordUnited StatesRockford MetroCentre9,133 / 9,133$141,562
June 6, 1987BloomingtonUnited StatesMet Center33,719 / 33,719$546,678
June 7, 1987BloomingtonUnited StatesMet Center33,719 / 33,719$546,678
June 9, 1987PeoriaUnited StatesPeoria Civic Center10,875 / 10,875$168,563
June 10, 1987Cedar RapidsUnited StatesFive Seasons Center10,000 / 10,000$155,000
June 11, 1987Kansas CityUnited StatesKemper Arena16,417 / 16,417$249,349
June 13, 1987CasperUnited StatesCasper Events Center10,424 / 10,424$155,260
June 14, 1987DenverUnited StatesMcNichols Sports Arena25,384 / 29,000$422,959
June 15, 1987DenverUnited StatesMcNichols Sports Arena25,384 / 29,000$422,959
June 17, 1987Salt Lake CityUnited StatesSalt Palacerowspan=2 rowspan=2
June 18, 1987Salt Lake CityUnited StatesSalt Palace--
June 20, 1987IrvineUnited StatesIrvine Meadows Amphitheatre45,000 / 45,000$716,005
June 21, 1987IrvineUnited StatesIrvine Meadows Amphitheatre45,000 / 45,000$716,005
June 22, 1987IrvineUnited StatesIrvine Meadows Amphitheatre45,000 / 45,000$716,005
June 25, 1987Mountain ViewUnited StatesShoreline Amphitheatre45,500 / 60,000rowspan=3
June 26, 1987Mountain ViewUnited StatesShoreline Amphitheatre45,500 / 60,000-
June 27, 1987Mountain ViewUnited StatesShoreline Amphitheatre45,500 / 60,000-
June 29, 1987PortlandUnited StatesMemorial Coliseum Complex23,514 / 23,514$376,224
June 30, 1987PortlandUnited StatesMemorial Coliseum Complex23,514 / 23,514$376,224
July 2, 1987VancouverCanadaBC PlaceN/AN/A
July 4, 1987CalgaryCanadaOlympic Saddledome16,530 / 16,530$254,672
July 10, 1987East TroyUnited StatesAlpine Valley Music Theatre30,892 / 30,892$467,417
July 12, 1987TorontoCanadaCanadian National Exhibition22,788 / 22,788$381,881
July 14, 1987OttawaCanadaOttawa Civic Centrerowspan=3 rowspan=3
July 15, 1987Quebec CityCanadaQuebec City Coliseum--
July 16, 1987MontrealCanadaMontreal Forum--
July 18, 1987PittsburghUnited StatesCivic Arena16,501 / 16,501$247,650
July 21, 1987LandoverUnited StatesCapital Centre33,593 / 34,490$554,285
July 22, 1987LandoverUnited StatesCapital Centre33,593 / 34,490$554,285
July 23, 1987HersheyUnited StatesHersheypark Arena
July 25, 1987ErieUnited StatesErie Veterans Memorial Stadium15,608 / 15,608$249,728
July 27, 1987MansfieldUnited StatesGreat Woods Center for the Performing Arts45,000 / 45,000$702,948
July 28, 1987MansfieldUnited StatesGreat Woods Center for the Performing Arts45,000 / 45,000$702,948
July 29, 1987MansfieldUnited StatesGreat Woods Center for the Performing Arts45,000 / 45,000$702,948
August 1, 1987New York CityUnited StatesMadison Square Gardenrowspan=3 rowspan=3
August 2, 1987New York CityUnited StatesMadison Square Garden--
August 3, 1987New York CityUnited StatesMadison Square Garden--
August 6, 1987East RutherfordUnited StatesMeadowlands Arena38,284 / 41,056$684,696
August 7, 1987East RutherfordUnited StatesMeadowlands Arena38,284 / 41,056$684,696
August 9, 1987UniondaleUnited StatesNassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum16,547 / 16,547$304,050
August 22, 1987Castle DoningtonEnglandDonington Park
September 5, 1987MelbourneAustraliaMelbourne Entertainment Centrerowspan=12 rowspan=12
September 6, 1987MelbourneAustraliaMelbourne Entertainment Centre--
September 7, 1987MelbourneAustraliaMelbourne Entertainment Centre--
September 9, 1987MelbourneAustraliaMelbourne Entertainment Centre--
September 10, 1987MelbourneAustraliaMelbourne Entertainment Centre--
September 12, 1987BrisbaneAustraliaBrisbane Entertainment Centre--
September 14, 1987SydneyAustraliaSydney Entertainment Centre--
September 15, 1987SydneyAustraliaSydney Entertainment Centre--
September 16, 1987SydneyAustraliaSydney Entertainment Centre--
September 17, 1987SydneyAustraliaSydney Entertainment Centre--
September 18, 1987SydneyAustraliaSydney Entertainment Centre--
September 19, 1987AucklandNew ZealandWestern Springs Stadium--
September 24, 1987TokyoJapanNippon Budokanrowspan=10 rowspan=10
September 25, 1987TokyoJapanNippon Budokan--
September 28, 1987TokyoJapanNippon Budokan--
September 29, 1987TokyoJapanNippon Budokan--
September 30, 1987TokyoJapanNippon Budokan--
October 1, 1987YokohamaJapanYokohama Bunka Taiikukan--
October 3, 1987NagoyaJapanNagoya-shi Sōgō Taiikukan--
October 5, 1987OsakaJapanOsaka-jō Hall--
October 6, 1987OsakaJapanOsaka-jō Hall--
October 7, 1987ShizuokaJapanShizuoka-shi Bunka Hall--
October 15, 1987HonoluluUnited StatesBlaisdell Arenarowspan=3 rowspan=3
October 16, 1987HonoluluUnited StatesBlaisdell Arena--
October 17, 1987HonoluluUnited StatesBlaisdell Arena--