Bette Midler - Bette on the Boards - Bette! Divine Madness (1979-1980)

After the success of the world tour, and the completion of her work on the soon to be released film, "The Rose," Bette decided to hit the boards once again in a new show entitled, "Bette! Divine Madness." The act was comprised of classic material that fans had grown to love, along with monologues and jokes about her previous tour around the world, as well as some new material from her latest album, "Thighs And Whispers." The show started in September of 1979 and traveled all over the United States, finally coming to a triumphant close at New York's Majestic Theatre in early January of 1980. The film, "The Rose," was released during the middle of the tour, which attracted many new fans to the later shows. Audiences were treated to a segment dedicated to the film in which Bette sang "The Rose," the showstopper "Stay With Me," as well as other tunes from the film. She brought back Delores Delago, who had become a huge hit during the world tour, and the Magic Lady with an updated routine. Highlights of the show included Bette's extravagant opening number, "Big Noise From Winnetka," featuring Bette dressed as a peacock waving her tail feathers, and a beautiful rendition of James Taylor's, "Millworker." One of the most outstanding parts of the show, however, was Bette's new version of "I Shall Be Released," which began with a few bars of the Rolling Stones' song, "You Can't Always Get What You Want." The show was a huge success and showcased Bette's immense talent. Bette would lose her voice in some shows, but she more than made up for it with her unbridled energy and raw emotions. She was purely unstoppable! The tour was so successful that it inspired a concert film by the same name.

SET LIST BASED ON THE PERFORMANCE OF:
December 30, 1979 - The Majestic Theatre - New York, NY

Big Noise From Winnetka
(Gil Rodin, Bob Crosby, Bob Haggart, Ray Bauduc)
Paradise
(Perry Botkin, Jr., Gil Garfield, Harry Nilsson)
L.A / N.Y Monologue
Millworker
(James Taylor)
In The Mood
(Joe Garland, Andy Razaf)
World Tour Chat
The Rose
(Amanda McBroom)
Sold My Soul To Rock And Roll
(Gene Pistilli)
Stay With Me
(Jerry Ragaovy, George Weiss)

Delores Delago's Revue Tropical
Delores Intro
Trouble In Tahiti / There's Nothing Like A Dame
(Leonard Bernstein / Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstien)
Moon Of Manakoora
(Frank Loesser, Alfred Newman)
South Seas Scene / Hawaiian War Chant
(Rik Carlok / Ralph Freed, Leleiohaku, Johnny Nobel)
Poi Balling With Delores

Chapel Of Love / Married Men
(J. Barry, E.Greenwich, P. Spector / D. Bugatti, F. Musker)
Hurricane
(Bette Midler, Randy Kerber)
Tales Of Sophie Tucker

The Magic Lady
Rainbow Sleeve
(Tom Waits)
The Magic Ladies Dance
Rain
(Mac Rebenack)
The Lady And The Bird
Martha
(Tom Waits)
Ready To Begin Again / Do You Want To Dance
(Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller / Bobby Freeman)

You Can't Always Get What You Want /
(Mick Jagger, Keith Richards)
I Shall Be Released
(Bob Dylan)
Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
(Don Raye, Hughie Prince)
Thanks For Coming
Friends
(Mark Klingman, Buzzy Linhart)

= audio performance Titles in italic = Monologue / Spoken Dialogue

The above set list is based on a specific performance at "The Continental Baths" and does not necessarily represent all shows performed during this tour.

additions would be extremely appreciated

September 17, 1979 September 18, 1979 September 19, 1979 September 20, 1979 September 21, 1979 September 22, 1979 September 23, 1979 September 24, 1979 September 27, 1979 September 28, 1979 September 29, 1979 December 5, 1979 December 6, 1979 December 7, 1979 December 8, 1979 (2) December 9, 1979 December 10, 1979 December 11, 1979 December 12, 1979 December 13, 1979 December 14, 1979 December 15, 1979 (2) December 16, 1979 December 17, 1979 December 18, 1979 December 19, 1979 December 20, 1979 December 21, 1979 December 22, 1979 (2) December 23, 1979 December 24, 1979 December 26, 1979 December 27, 1979 December 28, 1979 December 29, 1979 (2) December 30, 1979 December 31, 1979 January 2, 1980 January 3, 1980 January 4, 1980 January 5, 1980 (2) January 6, 1980	The Greek Theatre The Greek Theatre The Greek Theatre The Greek Theatre The Greek Theatre The Greek Theatre The Greek Theatre The Greek Theatre Pine Knob Music Theatre Pine Knob Music Theatre Pine Knob Music Theatre The Majestic Theatre The Majestic Theatre The Majestic Theatre The Majestic Theatre The Majestic Theatre The Majestic Theatre The Majestic Theatre The Majestic Theatre The Majestic Theatre The Majestic Theatre The Majestic Theatre The Majestic Theatre The Majestic Theatre The Majestic Theatre The Majestic Theatre The Majestic Theatre The Majestic Theatre The Majestic Theatre The Majestic Theatre The Majestic Theatre The Majestic Theatre The Majestic Theatre The Majestic Theatre The Majestic Theatre The Majestic Theatre The Majestic Theatre The Majestic Theatre The Majestic Theatre The Majestic Theatre The Majestic Theatre The Majestic Theatre	Los Angeles, CA Los Angeles, CA Los Angeles, CA Los Angeles, CA Los Angeles, CA Los Angeles, CA Los Angeles, CA Los Angeles, CA Detroit, MI Detroit, MI Detroit, MI New York City, NY New York City, NY New York City, NY New York City, NY New York City, NY New York City, NY New York City, NY New York City, NY New York City, NY New York City, NY New York City, NY New York City, NY New York City, NY New York City, NY New York City, NY New York City, NY New York City, NY New York City, NY New York City, NY New York City, NY New York City, NY New York City, NY New York City, NY New York City, NY New York City, NY New York City, NY New York City, NY New York City, NY New York City, NY New York City, NY New York City, NY
			(2) = Two shows performed

Tina Clarke: Detroit Free Press - September 29, 1979
Bette Midler delighted her Pine Knob audience Thursday night with an evening of "sleaze beneath the stars." Dressed as a bird of paradise, she was the consummate performance - both an exciting songstress and a very able comedian. Although this was her first appearance in the Detroit area in a few years, she evidently did her homework, providing the audience with a steady stream of regional jokes. Hardly a Detroit suburb went unscathed. Troy? "A nice quiet place - you can't even get an envelope to stay open after 9 p.m." Gross Pointe? "Vogue on the outside, vague on the inside." Miss Midler's repertoire and style have changed some in the last few years. The dazzling sets and extensive costume changes of the past have been pared down to reveal a more candid and spontaneous Midler. From one song to the next, the mood changed. After singing a quietly beautiful James Taylor song, "Millworker," she shifted right into her swinging version of "In The Mood," following it with the torch song from her upcoming film, "The Rose." But the old Bette Midler forte remained, combining trashy humor and pathos to give the audience a glimpse of the underside of life. As always, she forced the audience to respond, whether they laughed or cried. A new highlight was the addition of a tall, sensuous male dancer. Shabodo provided a beautiful counterpoint for Midler during her new Disco Tune, "You Blow Me Away," and took an already fast-moving and frenzied "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" to breakneck speed. Bette Midler delivered the "trash with clash" in an offbeat and outrageous way. Some may have found it tasteless (it wasn't), but one can safely say no one found it forgettable.


Majestic Ticket