TIMELINE 17 Constrictor-The Nightmare Returns
Note: From here on it seems that tours use more and more general advertising (multiple dates in one advert) in the specialist music press, rather then individual show adverts in local papers. Music fans didn`t generaly look to newspapers to know what shows were happening any more. However shows are now much easier to trace anyway. There was far less chopping and changing of dates after a tour was announced and things seem to run more smoothly, which means tour listings and adverts are more likely to be correct then was the case in the 70s (see the endless Billboard mistakes for examples!).
1986
Jan/Feb 1986 Recording for Constrictor in NY
(Hit Parader interview mentions he also has a home in Chicago - he was there for part of `85 and apparently left when he discovered how cold Chicago winters were. He called their apartment `The Room`)
Summer 1986 Final recordings for Constrictor in LA
July 1986 He`s Back video filmed on the set of Friday the 13th and Alice did press Interviews during the shoot..
July 28th 1986 He`s Back single released
Sept 22nd 1986 Constrictor released
20th - 26th Sept 1986 Alice visits UK for promo stuff
Just before the tour, Alice paid a flying visit to the UK for a few promo duties and also put in an appearance backstage at Motorhead`s Hammersmith Odeon, London show on 22nd Sept which resulted in Lemmy giving him an on-stage name check (which in turn resulted in me hanging out at the backstage door for hours only for Lemmy to inform me that Alice left 'hours ago!!'). Apart from saying 'Hi' to Lemmy, Alice was also there to check out and meet support band Zodiac Mindwarp and teh Love Reaction who were scheduled to support on the forthcoming UK dates. In the end, Zodiac was ill and didn`t do the tour (Dr. and the Medics did 2 shows and Alien Sex Fiend did the rest of the tour).
Alice also appeared on BBC breakfast TV for a live interview (22nd?) and 'Rock Around The Clock'(on the 20th).
26th Sept 1986 Howard Stern interview aired
The Nightmare Returns North American Tour 1986 (1st Leg)
20th Oct 1986 Santa Barbara, CA, Arlington Theater (first show since 1982) (w/ Guns n' Roses according to Renfield and backed up by a 2017 GnR book and in Slash's, Duff's and Steven Adlers respective biographies.)
Randy Piper (ex-Wasp) was hired for the' Nightmare Returns' tour. He was fired for not being able to play his instrument during the first rehearsals.
(Renfield, August 1996)
A well known magician named Franz Harary did some of the Special Effects stuff between 1986 and `91, most notably the Teenage Frankenstein routine.
In a pre-tour interview Alice mentions that Donnie Kisselbach (Turtles/Rick Derranger) was meant to play the tour but he was actually replaced by Kip Winger.
Oct 24th 1986 San Bernadino, CA National Orange Showgrounds (w/ Guns`n`Roses?) [Ticket][Local Listing][Show Preview in San Bernardino County Sun October 18th. Show review on October 26th] San Bernadino County Sun mentions the show in unrelated article.
Oct 28th 1986 Lansing, MI, Civic Center (w/ Vinnie Vincent's Invasion)[Ticket][Local listings][Show Review in Lancing State Journal October 29th and Detroit Free Press October 30th]
Oct 29th 1986 Saginaw, MI, Wendler Arena (w/ Vinnie Vincent's Invasion)
Oct 30th 1986 Detroit, MI, Joe Louis Arena (w/ Vinnie Vincent Invasion) [Ticket]
Oct 31st 1986 Detroit, MI Joe Louis Arena (w/ Vinnie Vincent Invasion) [Ticket] Detroit Press originally refer to Alice playing Joe Louis Arena on the 30th but Cobo Hall on the 31st (in the same listing) but later it changes to both being at Joe Louis. The two venues are next door to each other.
Scheduled to be the first official 'Nightmare Returns' show (the previous shows assumably being considered warm ups to get rid of any glitches before the TV broadcast). Reputably sold out in three hours and another show on the previous night had to be added.
Filmed for 'The Nightmare Returns' video and transmitted on MTV. Missing from the video release are a final cameo section at the end of the TV broadcast of a cleaner looking through a garbage can, to be revealed as Alice advertising 'Constrictor'.
Nov 1st 1986 Toledo, OH, Sports Arena (w/ Vinnie Vincent Invasion)[Ticket][Preview in Freemont News-Messenger October 30th]
Nov 2nd 1986 Kalamazoo, MI, Wings Stadium (w/ Vinnie Vincent Invasion)[Local Listings]
(Nov 3th 1986 Dayton, OH, Hara Arena (w/ Vinnie Vincent's Invasion) - according to schedule but tickets say 7th)
Nov 4th 1986 Fort Wayne, IN, Allen County Memorial Auditorium (w/ Vinnie Vincent's Invasion)[Local Listing]
Nov 6th 1986 Columbus, OH, Veterans' Memorial Coliseum (w/ Vinnie Vincent's Invasion)[Ticket][Local listings]
Nov 7th 1986 Dayton, OH, Hara Arena (w/ Vinnie Vincent's Invasion)[Ticket][Ticket][Local Listing] OR Erie, PA Civic Center according to schedule.
Nov 8th 1986 Cleveland, OH, Cleveland Music Hall (w/ Vinnie Vincent Invasion)[Ticket][Sold Out][Local Listing]
Nov 11th 1986 Pittsburgh, PA, Syria Mosque (w/ Vinnie Vincent's Invasion][Ticket][Sold Out][Local Listing][Review in Pittsburgh Post Gazette November 12th]
Nov 12th 1986 Wilkes Barre, PA, Kingston Armory (w/ Vinnie Vincent's Invasion)[Ticket] - Camden, NJ, Courier-Post has listing for "Tower Theater" on Nov 12th. Philedelphia Daily News agrees it's the 12th at "the Tower". However other sources confirm the Tower Theater is on the 14th.
Nov 13th 1986 Fairfax, VA, George Washington Univ. Patriot Center (w/ Vinnie Vincent's Invasion)[Ticket]
Nov 14th 1986 Upper Darby (Philadelphia), PA, Tower Theatre (w/ Vinnie Vincent's Invasion)[Ticket][Local Listings] Sold Out. Second show added for December 12th.[Review in Camden,NJ Courier-Post November 18th.]
Nov 15th 1986 Albany, NY, Palace Theatre (w/ Vinnie Vincent's Invasion)[Ticket][Local Listing]
Nov 16th 1986 Rochester, NY, Auditorium Theater (w/ Vinnie Vincent's Invasion)[Show preview in Rochester Democrat and Chronicle November 14th]
Nov 19th 1986 Worcester, MA, Centrum (w/ Vinnie Vincent's Invasion)[Ticket][Local listings][Show Preview in Hartford Corrant November 13th.][Show reviews in Boston Herald and Boston Globe.]
The Nightmare Returns UK Tour 1986
Nov 20th 1986 Alice flies to the UK
Nov 21st 1986 Alice is in Newcastle to appear on `The Tube` and meets up with Iggy Pop
Nov 22nd 1986 Interview on BBC Radio 1 with Andy Kershaw
Nov 23rd 1986 London, England, Wembley Arena (w/ Dr And The Medics) [Ticket]
Aftershow party held in a Chelsea nightclub - actor John Hurt, Shiobhan Fahey then of Bananarama, Pete Wylie, Steve Nieve (of The Attractions), Chris and Nik Fiend (Alien Sex Fiend), Rat Scabies (The Damned), Ray Mayhew (Sigue Sigue Sputnik and (possibly) Zodiac Mindwarp attend.
Nov 24th 1986 Signing session at Virgin Megastore in London.
Nov 25th 1986 Edinburgh, Scotland Edinburgh Playhouse (w/ Dr And The Medics) Also Entertainment USA interview taped.
Nov 26th 1986 Edinburgh, Scotland Edinburgh Playhouse (w/ Dr And The Medics)
Nov 28th 1986 Manchester, England Apollo Theater(w/ Alien Sex Fiend) [Ticket]
Nov 29th 1986 Manchester, England Apollo Theater (w/ Alien Sex Fiend) [Ticket]
Nov 30th 1986 Manchester, England Apollo Theater (w/ Alien Sex Fiend)
Dec 1st 1986 Newcastle, England City Hall (w/ Alien Sex Fiend) [Ticket]
Dec 3rd 1986 Birmingham, England Odeon (w/ Alien Sex Fiend) [Ticket]
Dec 4th 1986 Birmingham, England Odeon (w/ Alien Sex Fiend) [Ticket]
Dec 5th 1986 Birmingham, England Odeon (w/ Alien Sex Fiend) [Ticket]
Andy Michael gets to throw out a balloon at the end of the show.
The Nightmare Returns North American Tour 1986-1987 (2nd Leg)
Dec 12th 1986 Philadelphia (Upper Darby), PA, Tower Theater (w/ Vinnie Vincent Invasion)[Ticket][[Ticket][Mention in local papers][Sold Out]
Dec 13th 1986 Cleveland, OH, Public Hall (w/ Vinnie Vincent Invasion)[Ticket][Local listing]
Dec 14th 1986 Utica, NY, Memorial Auditorium (w/ Vinnie Vincent Invasion)[Ticket]
Dec 15th 1986 Syracuse, NY, Landmark Theater (w/ Vinnie Vincent Invasion)
Dec 18th 1986 Baltimore, MD, Baltimore Arena (w/ Vinnie Vincent Invasion)(Ticket) [Local listing][Preview/Interview in Balitimore Sun December 14th, Review December 19th]
Dec 19th 1986 Hampton, VA, Hampton Coliseum (w/ Vinnie Vincent Invasion)[Local Listing] - TV Ad exists. [Show Preview in Newport Daily Press 19th Decembera nd review on December 21st.]
Dec 20th 1986 Fayetteville, NC, Cumberland County Memorial Arena [Ticket](w/ Vinnie Vincent Invasion)
Dec 21st 1986 Charlotte, NC, Coliseum (w/ Vinnie Vincent Invasion)[Ticket][Local listing]
Dec 22nd 1986 Charleston, SC, Gaillard Municipal Auditorium (w/ Vinnie Vincent Invasion) [Ticket]
Dec 23rd 1986 Asheville, NC (w/ Vinnie Vincent Invasion) - No venue listed anywhere. There does seem to have been shows at the 'Asheville Civic Center' which is big enough.
Dec 26th 1986 Atlanta, GA, Civic Center (w/ Vinnie Vincent Invasion) [Ticket][Local Listing]
Dec 27th 1986 Tampa, FL, U.S.F. Sun Dome (w/ Vinnie Vincent Invasion)[Ticket][Local Listing]
Dec 28th 1986 West Palm Beach, FL, Auditorium (w/ Vinnie Vincent Invasion)[Ticket][Local Listing][Preview Interview in Palm Beach Post December 26th. Reviews in South Florida Sun Sentinal and Palm Beach Post December 30th]
Dec 29th 1986 Daytona, FL, Ocean Center (w/ Vinnie Vincent Invasion)[Ticket][Local Listing] - Local residence campaign and request local council ban the show.
Dec 31st 1986 Miami, FL, James L. Knight (International) Center (w/ Vinnie Vincent Invasion)[Ticket][Local Listings]
1987
Jan 2nd 1987 Nashville, TN, Municipal Auditorium (w/ Vinnie Vincent Invasion)[Local listing][Preview in The Tennessean December 28th]
Jan 3rd 1987 Memphis, TN, Convention Center, Auditorium North Hall (w/ Vinnie Vincent Invasion)[Ticket]
Jan 4th 1987 Louisville, KY, Louisville Gardens (w/ Vinnie Vincent Invasion)[Show preview in Louisville Courier Journal Jan 2nd. Review on January 5th.]
Jan 6th 1987 Charleston, WV, Municipal Auditorium (w/ Vinnie Vincent Invasion) [Ticket]
(Jan 8th 1987 St.Louis, MO, Kiel Auditorium (w/ Vinnie Vincent Invasion) - More likely February 8th unless that is an added show. There are no listings for a January 8th show)
Jan 9th 1987 Lafayette, LA, Cajundome (w/ Vinnie Vincent Invasion) [Ticket] We had New Orleans, LA, Dome but ticket and local listings says "Lafayette Cajundome"
Jan 10th 1987 Mobile, AL, Municipal Auditorium (w/ Vinnie Vincent Invasion)
Jan 11th 1987 New Orleans, LA, UNO Lakefront Arena (w/ Vinnie Vincent Invasion)[Ticket]
Jan 14th 1987 San Antonio, TX, Majestic Theatre at the Performing Arts Center (w/ Vinnie Vincent Invasion) [Ticket]
Jan 16th 1987 Houston, TX, Houston Music Hall (w/ Vinnie Vincent Invasion) [Ticket][Photo's exist]
Jan 17th 1987 Dallas, TX, State Fair Coliseum (w/ Vinnie Vincent Invasion)[Ticket]
Jan 18th 1987 Corpus Christi, TX, Memorial Coliseum (w/ Vinnie Vincent Invasion)
Jan 22nd 1987 Spokane, WA, Opera House
Jan 23rd 1987 Portland, OR, Civic Auditorium ]Local listing]
Jan 24th 1987 Seattle, WA, Seattle Center Arena [Ticket]
Jan 27th 1987 Oakland, CA, Kaiser Convention Center (w/ Megadeth)[Ticket] - First show with Megadeth opening. At some point during this leg of the tour Alice, worried about the bands drugs habits, summoned the Megadeth guys to his bus to warn them about their excessive drug use, telling them what had happened to him and to "be careful". Megadeth later covered 'No More Mr Nice Guy' for the 'Shocker' soundtrack album, and album which Alice also performed on. In later years both lives in Phoenix, AZ and Dave Mustaine would reference Alice in relation to his eventual clean up and religious conversion.
Jan 28th 1987 Bakersfield, CA, Civic Auditorium (w/ Megadeth)[Ticket]
(Jan 29th 1987 Las Vegas, NV, Thomas And Mack Center (w/ Megadeth)(Tickets exists for both 30th AND 29th))
Jan 30th 1987 Las Vegas, NV, Thomas And Mack Center (w/ Megadeth)(Tickets apparently exists for both 30th AND 29th) [Ticket] [Ticket]
Jan 31st 1987 Phoenix, AZ, Veterans Memorial Coliseum (w/ Megadeth) [Ticket][Local listings][Review in Arizona Republic February 2nd]
Feb 1st 1987 San Diego, CA, Sports Arena (w/ Megadeth) [Ticket][Local listings]
Feb 4th 1987 Tulsa, OK, Brady Theater (w/ Megadeth)[Ticket]
Feb 5th 1987 Norman, OK, Lloyd Noble Arena (w/ Megadeth) OR Kemper Arena, Kansas City, MO [Ticket]
Feb 6th 1987 Des Moines, IA, Veteran's Auditorium (w/ Megadeth)[Ticket][Local announcement and listings. Tickets on sale Jan 1st][Review in Des Moines Register Feb 7th]
Feb 7th 1987 St. Paul, MN, Roy Wilkins Auditorium (w/ Megadeth)[Ticket]
Feb 8th 1987 St Louis, MO, Kiel Auditorium (w/ Megadeth) [Ticket][Local listings] - The St Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the show will be monitored by the St Louis Vice Squad and the Humane Society of Missouri. Hopefully they bought their own tickets! Apparently a group calling themselves 'Project 7' had been writting 100s of letters to the venue trying to get the show stopped, as well as speaking at local school's and civic meetings about the "dangers of heavy metal rock groups." The manager of the auditorium said that the projects campaign appeared to have boosted ticket sales and he expected a sell out! - [Review in St Louis Post-Dispatch February 10th]
Feb 10th 1987 Milwaukee, WI, Mecca Auditorium (w/ Megadeth) (w/ Megadeth) [Ticket][Local listings]
Feb 11th 1987 Carbondale, IL, SIU Arena (w/ Megadeth)(eye witness) [Ticket][Local listing][Show Preview in Carbondale Southern Illinoisan Feb 6th.]
Feb 12th 1987 Chicago, IL, UIC Pavilion (w/ Megadeth) [Ticket][Review in Chicago Tribune February 13th]
Feb 13th 1987 Detroit, MI, Joe Louis Arena (w/ Megadeth)[Ticket][Local Listing][Local listing][Show Preview in Detroit Free Press Feb 13th]
Feb 14th 1987 Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Five Seasons Center (w/ Megadeth)[Ticket][Local Listing][Show Preview in Iowa City Press-Citizen 16th February]
Feb 16th 1987 Pittsburgh, PA, Syria Mosque (w/ Megadeth)[Local Listing]
Feb 17th 1987 Hershey, PA, Hersheypark Arena (w/ Megadeth) [Ticket][Local listings mentions Megadeth Support]
(Feb 18th 1987 Some report a show w/ Guns`n`Roses at the State Fair or at State Fair Coliseum at Fair Park (possibly in Chicago?) but this seems unlikely as Megadeth are the support at this point and Guns don`t play with Alice again until the end of the year. There's no Guns'n Roses show listed for this date anywhere.)
Feb 19th 1987 Providence, RI, Providence Civic Center [Ticket][Local listing]
Feb 20th 1987 Poughkeepsie, NY, Mid-Hudson Civic Center (w/ Megadeth)[Ticket] - Probably last show with Megadeth opening. They played their own show in New York City on 21st. The Poughkeepsie Journal (March 13th) reports that after the show Alice and Kane stayed in the area all weekend to record demos for a forthcoming movie at Teamwork Studios. This is obviously not true as they were in Canada the following night! However a photo proves they were there at some point.
Feb 21st 1987 Frederickton, Canada, Aitken Centre (w/ Sword) [TV News Report]
Feb 23rd 1987 Halifax, Canada, Metro Center (w/ Sword)[Ticket] - Unruly crowd and arrests .
Feb 25th 1987 Signing session at A & A in Toronto
Feb 26th 1987 Toronto, Ontario, Maple Leaf Gardens (w/ Sword)[Ticket][Ticket][TV Advert][Review in Toronto Star exists as do photos]
Feb 27th 1987 Sudbury, Ontario, Sudbury Arena (w/ Sword) (mentioned in interview as being between Toronto and Montreal. Confirmed on official Sword site)
Feb 28th 1987 Montreal, Quebec, Verdun Auditorium (w/ Sword) [Ticket]
Mar 2nd 1987 Ottawa, Canada, Civic Center Arena (w/ Sword) (Itinerary) [Ticket]
Mar 4th 1987 Hamilton, Ontario, (Victor J) Copps Coliseum (w/ Sword)(Itinerary) [Ticket]
Mar 5th 1987 La Porte, IN, Civic Auditorium (w/ Tesla) - CANCELLED -Itinerary has this crossed off. Adverts exist and local listings, but on the listing in the Vadette-Messegner on the day of the show it's marked cancelled.
Mar 6th 1987 Cincinnati, OH, Cincinnati Gardens [Ticket] (Itinerary) (w/ Tesla)[Local listings] - Transmitted on the Superstars Concert radio series.
Mar 7th 1987 Peoria, IL, Civic Center Theater (Itinerary) (w/ Tesla)[Ticket][Local listings]
Mar 9th 1987 Green Bay, WI, Brown County Arena (Itinerary) (w/ Tesla)[Local Listing][Preview in the Appleton Post-Crescent March 9th and review in Green Bay Post-Gazette 10th March]
Mar 11th 1987 Sioux City, IA, Sioux City Municipal Auditorium (w/ Tesla)[Newspaper mention][Show preview in Souix City Journal March 3rd and a review on March 12th.]
Mar 12th 1987 Witchita, KS, Kansas Coliseum - Britt Brown Arena (w/ Tesla) [Ticket]
Mar 13th 1987 Omaha, NE, Civic Auditorium (Arena) (Itinerary) (w/ Tesla) [Ticket][Local Listing][Radio Advert]
Mar 14th 1987 La Crosse, WI, La Crosse Center (Itinerary) (w/ Tesla) [Ticket]
Mar 15th 1987 Bismarck, ND, Civic Center (Itinerary) (w/ Tesla)[Show preview in Bismark Chronicle March 6th and 13th and review front page March 10th]]
Mar 17th 1987 Denver, CO, McNichols Arena (Itinerary) (w/ Tesla)[Ticket]
Mar 19th 1987 Salt Lake City, UT, Salt Palace (w/ Tesla)[Ticket](Itinerary) (more info courtesy of Hunter Goatley)
Mar 21st 1987 Long Beach, CA Long Beach Arena/Convention Center (Itinerary) (w/ Tesla)[Ticket] - LA Times 31st January says tickets go onsale Feb 1st and Megadeth support as does the advert below. [Preview in LA Times MArch 21st]
Mar 22nd 1987 Tucson, AZ, Tuscon Community Center Exhibition Hall (w/ Tesla) [Ticket] [Local listing][Preview in Arizona Daily Star March 20th, review on March 24th.]
Mar 24nd 1987 El Paso, NM, Civic Center South Hall (w/ Tesla) [Ticket]
Mar 25th 1987 Albuquerque, NM, Exhibit Hall at State Fairgrounds, Manuel Lujan Complex (w/ Tesla)[Ticket] [Show preview in Albuquerque Journal; March 20th]
Mar 28th 1987 Winnipeg Canada, Winnipeg Arena (Sword)
Mar 29th 1987 Alice appears at Westlemania III at the Pontiac, MI Superdome and appears in the ring partnering Jake 'The Snake' Roberts.
Mar 30th 1987 Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, Regina Agridome (w/ Sword)
Mar 31st 1987 Calgary, Alberta, Olympic Saddledome (w/ Sword) [Ticket][Ticket]
April 1st 1987 Edmonton Alberta, Northlands Coliseum (w/ Sword) [Ticket][Ticket]
April 6th 1987 Alice takes a day trip to Sweden where he did a press conference in full stage gear at at the 'Daily News' Cafe before heading to The Netherlands
April 20th 1987 Alice arrives In Italy
June 1987 recordings for Raise Your Fist and Yell are completed (Kerrang and Metal Hammer reports).
June 23rd 1987 Alice interviewed on 'The Tube' and talks about Reading Festival
Summer 1987 Prince Of Darkness filmed.
Aug 22nd 1987 Alice arrives in London on route to Sweden
Aug 23rd 1987(apprx) Alice is in Sweden on promo trip
Aug 26th 1987 - Alice attends a party at the Limelight in London. Also there, two of the girls from Bananarama, Lizzie Borden (?) and one of Frankie Goes To Hollywood. Alice is also rumoured to be making an appearance at the Lizzy Borden show at the Marquee on Aug 28th but it doesn`t happen.
Aug 27th 1987 Alice tapes his appearance on Night Network which is transmitted the following night.
Aug 30th 1987 Reading, England Reading Festival (w/ The Stranglers, Zodiac Mindwarp and the Love Reaction, The Boishoi, FM, The Enid, Lizzy Borden, Gypsy Queen, Vow Wow, Virginia Wolf, Kooga, Chariot) [Ticket]
The last 'Nightmare Returns' show was the 25th Anniversary of the Reading Festival and on a radio documentary at the time, the organisers said that they'd really wanted someone really special to close that years show.
Alice appears in the press tent and hands out promo tapes of the new 'Raise Your Fist' Album. Rehearsals for the show were held in Borehamwood.
Alice also appears on Night Network
Aug 31st 1987 Alice leaves London.
Sept 9th 1987 Milan Italy Palatrussardi (canceled)
Sept 21st 1987 Grugahalle, Essen, Germany (canceled)(Poster Exists) [Ticket]
Sept 23rd 1987 Osnabruck, West Germany, Stadhalle (canceled)[Ticket]
Sept 29th 1987 Stadionsporthalle, Hannover, Germany (Canceled)(Tickets were actually sold for this show)
The last shows above were part of a scheduled European tour for 'Raise Your Fist and yell' but were canceled and rearranged for the following year.
Sept 21st 1987 Kane Roberts first solo album released featuring the Alice co-written 'Full Pull'