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Pros & Cons of Hitch Hiking American Tour 1985 Roger Waters

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Roger Waters’ The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking North American Tour in 1985 was a significant milestone. After completing this tour and having some success, he decided to quit Pink Floyd having found the confidence to tour as a solo artist. The tour supported his first solo album, released in 1984, and was known for its conceptual nature, focusing on themes of marriage, monogamy, and infidelity. Quite a lot of fans didn’t really understand the concept album and there wasn’t as much commercial success compared to his Pink Floyd days. Indeed, Pink Floyd were often a faceless band so stepping out as a solo artist was always going to be difficult, even with a star studded band!

The tour kicked off on March 19, 1985, at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit and included 17 dates, concluding on April 14, 1985, at the Civic Center Arena in Lakeland, Florida.

1984 1985 Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking Roger Waters Eric Clapton
1984/1985 Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking Roger Waters Eric Clapton

The performances featured a notable band lineup, including Eric Clapton on guitar, and were praised for their storytelling approach, blending music with visual elements. The setlist typically included the entire album performed in sequence, along with a selection of Pink Floyd songs. The stage design and visual elements were integral to the show, enhancing the storytelling aspect of the performance.

The tour received mixed reviews, with some fans and critics divided over the departure from the classic Pink Floyd sound. However, it established Waters as a solo artist capable of carrying a full-scale rock production on his own. This tour set the stage for his future solo projects and tours, showcasing his ability to weave intricate narratives into his music and stage performances.

1985 Tour Book

Take a look at the 1985 Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking tour book. There is also a version from the 1984 legs.

1984-85 Roger Waters Pros & Cons Tour Book Version 2 pg01
1984-85 Roger Waters Pros & Cons Tour Book Version 2 pg01

The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking North American Tour Dates (1985)

March 1985

1985-03-19 : Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan, USA
1985-03-20 : The Coliseum (Cleveland), Cleveland, Ohio, USA
1985-03-21 : Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo (New York), USA
1985-03-23 : Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto (Ontario), Canada
1985-03-26 : Radio City Music Hall, New York, New York, USA
1985-03-27 : Radio City Music Hall, New York, New York, USA
1985-03-28 : Radio City Music Hall, New York, New York, USA
1985-03-29 : Spectrum Theatre, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
1985-03-30 : The Centrum, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA

April 1985

1985-04-03 : Oakland Coliseum Arena, Oakland, California, USA
1985-04-04 : The Forum (LA), Los Angeles, California, USA
1985-04-06 : Veterans Memorial Coliseum (Phoenix), Phoenix, Arizona, USA
1985-04-08 : The Summit Sports Arena, Houston, Texas, USA
1985-04-09 : University of Texas (Frank Erwin Center), Austin, Texas, USA
1985-04-11 : The Omni Coliseum (Atlanta), Atlanta, Georgia, USA
1985-04-13 : The Sportatorium, Hollywood, Florida, USA
1985-04-14 : Civic Centre Arena (Lakeland), Lakeland, Florida, USA

Links – Roger Waters on Wikipedia