David Peaston, who rode several Apollo Theater triumphs tantalizingly close to the top of the music world, died Wednesday in St. Louis from complications of diabetes. The “Motortown” Revue debuts with the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, the Temptations, the Four Tops, Gladys Knight and the Pips, the Commodores and “Little” Stevie Wonder. Patriotism was also part of the program dedicated to veterans and active military. Lionel Hampton 16-piece band appears at the Apollo. Modeled after The Tony Awards® on Broadway, the HTAA are produced and presented by the Hershey Theatre Education Department. The Apollo marquee reads, “She’s Home.”. In 1955, Disc jockey Tommy “Dr. Sam and Dave, Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, Joe Tex, and especially Aretha Franklin, present the grittier side of soul at the Apollo. These Wednesday night shows became legendary, not only for the individuals and groups discovered there (including Lena Horne , Sam Cooke , the Orioles , Marvin Gaye , James Brown , and many others) but also for the highly sophisticated and critical … Amateur Night at the Apollo celebrated its 85th Anniversary in 2019 as the quintessential talent competition, serving as the model for Star Search and American Idol. amNewYork checks in with a few brave contestants at the famed talent show. Pearl Jam will play New York City for the first time in three years — at the Apollo Theater in Harlem March 26th. John Lennon and Yoko Ono appear at a 1971 benefit concert for Attica. Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, and Pearl Bailey, for example, were all early Amateur Night winners, and later acts like the Jackson 5 and Stevie Wonder also enjoyed their first major exposure at the Apollo. Teddy Hale, Babe Laurence and Bunny Briggs are the top dance attractions. © Copyright 2021 Apollo Theater. Child Star of Tomorrow Winner: Today, the Apollo is a respected not-for-profit, which presents concerts, performing arts, education and community outreach programs. Amateur Night at the Apollo is one of New York’s most popular live entertainment experiences, attracting performers and audiences the world over. Super Top Dog Grand Finale Winner: AZUMI TAKAHASHI The neo-classical theater known today as the Apollo Theater was designed by George Keister and first owned by Sidney Cohen. “Blues Nights” features B.B. In 1981, it was purchased by Percy Sutton a prominent lawyer, politician, media and technology executive, and a group of private investors. King plays an early morning blues concert for Harlem schoolchildren. Sen.Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) introduces Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton during a campaign event at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. African-Americans are not allowed in the audience. Hurtig & Seamon’s was one of many theaters that would close down. The Apollo Theater is a music hall located at 253 West 125th Street between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard (Seventh Avenue) and Frederick Douglass Boulevard (Eighth Avenue) in Harlem, Manhattan, New York City. Kiki Shepard served as co-host from 1987 until 2002. King, Bobby “Blue” Bland, T-Bone Walker, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, Jimmy Witherspoon, and Odetta. When Amateur Night at the Apollo debuted in 1934, it quickly became the leading showcase for many young, talented, new performers such as a 15-year-old Ella Fitzgerald, who went on to become one of the first Amateur Night winners. The annual tradition of # Kwanzaa at the Apollo continues on the Apollo Digital Stage! Amateur Night Winners shine! The show opened with John Miles, Potomac Edison retiree, singing Lee … Like many American theaters during this time, African-Americans were not allowed to attend as patrons or to perform. The official YouTube channel of the World-Famous Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York City! During World War II the Apollo sets aside 35 tickets daily for soldiers. UPDATE: While live shows are currently paused due to safety concerns related to COVID-19, you can catch rebroadcasts of some of our recent live Amateur Night shows here and find more content on the Apollo Digital Stage. BRANDON GRAY, Super Top Dog Grand Finale Winner: Frank Schiffman and Leo Brecher took over the Apollo in 1935. In 2002, George C. Wolfe’s new musical Harlem Song opens to enthusiastic. The Apollo receives state and city landmark status as Harlem’s oldest functioning theater in 1983. The first phase of renovation is completed and includes the installation of over 1,500 house seats, restoration of the 125th-Street façade, a, state-of-the-art Marquee, new stage and greenroom. !#melisizwebrothers#melisizwebrothersmusic#MelisizweBrothersStadiumCrowning moment , … Since opening its doors in 1914 and introducing the first Amateur Night contests in 1934, the Apollo has played a major role in the emergence of jazz, swing, bebop, R&B, gospel, blues, and soul — all quintessentially American music genres. The Dreamettes, a trio of aspiring R & B singers, arrive late for a talent contest they hope will launch their musical career. A Scepter Records show package includes the Shirelles, Chuck Jackson, Tommy Hunt, Maxine Brown and the Isley Brothers. bit.ly/Kwanzaa-Apollo2020. It is a noted venue for African-American performers, and is the home of Showtime at the Apollo, a nationally syndicated television variety show which showcased new talent, from 1987 to 2008, encompassing 1,093 episodes; the show was rebooted in 2018. He was 54. On May 5th, 1985 the Apollo’s renovation is celebrated with a 50th Anniversary grand reopening and television special, “Motown Salutes the Apollo.”  Amateur Night is re-launched on Christmas Eve that same year. Amateur Night winners include Ella Fitzgerald and Pearl Bailey; By 1937 the Apollo is the largest employer of black theatrical workers in the US, according to Frank Schiffman, and the only theater in NYC hiring blacks in backstage positions. Then-Senator and Democratic presidential candidate. Showtime at the Apollo is revived and launched as a television show. Today, the Apollo, which functions under the guidance of a Board of Directors, presents concerts, performing arts, education and community outreach programs. The Theater hosts its inaugural Spring Benefit Gala in 2005 with a special tribute Ossie Davis. MARTINSBURG — Nearly 500 attended the Apollo Civic Theatre’s Talent Extravaganza on Saturday night to see some of the best area talent. Many famous R&B, soul, and hip hop performers have appeared on the show, which has had a number of hosts, including Whoopi Goldberg, Rick Aviles, Martin Lawrence, Sinbad, Mark Curry, Steve Harvey, Mo'Nique, Christopher "Kid" Reid, and Anthony Anderson. The week before Christmas 1951, Josephine Baker, makes her Apollo debut. Wayne Brady and 13-year-old keyboard prodigy Matthew Whitaker perform at the Apollo Theater. 1932 Sidney Cohen, President of the Motion Picture Theater Owners of America, buys the Tony Bennett plays a sold-out engagement honoring Billie Holiday. In 1914, Benjamin Hurtig and Harry Seamon obtained a thirty-year lease on the newly constructed theater calling it Hurtig and Seamon’s New Burlesque Theater. On January 26, 1934, the 125th Street Apollo Theater opens with the show “Jazz a la Carte” headlined by Benny Carter and his Orchestra, Ralph Cooper and Aida Ward. Initially announced on May 15, 2018, U2 played a special one-off concert at the Apollo Theater in Harlem between dates on the Experience + Innocence tour to approximately 1500 people. Amateur Night contestants include the Esquires, Dionne Warwick, Joe Tex, and James Brown. Billie Holiday, Lena Horne & the Count Basie Orchestra make their debut. That year the long-standing weekly talent show called Amateur Night at the Apollo was born, and one of its early winners was the young Ella Fitzgerald. The Artist formerly known as Prince plays the Apollo in an exclusive VH1 Concert. John McCrea for Everybody's Talking About Jamie at Apollo Theatre Giles Terera for Hamilton at Victoria Palace Theatre ** WINNER! MARGATE, FL: 1962 at the world famous Apollo Theatre in New York City. Since its inception, the HTAA program has awarded more than $220,000 in scholarships largely made possible through individual donations. Winner: Marianne Elliott for The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time at the National’s Cottesloe Theatre and the Apollo Theatre Nominees: Jeremy Herrin for This House at the National’s Cottesloe and Olivier Theatres In 1933 Fiorello La Guardia, who would later become New York City’s Mayor, began a campaign against burlesque. Bobby Schiffman reluctantly closes the Apollo in January 1976. The Theater briefly reopens in 1978 under new management with shows by Ralph McDonald, War, the T-Connection and Sister Sledge, James Brown, Bob Marley and Parliament Funkadelic. Amateur Night winners include Gladys Night, King Curtis, Ronnie Spector, Billy Stewart, Jimi Hendrix and Charlie and Inez Foxx. Dewey “Pigmeat” Markham, Jackie “Moms” Mabley and Dusty Fletcher are among the comedians who appear regularly on stage. James Brown records live shows at the Apollo in 1962. Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. The Apollo becomes the premiere showplace for live, theatrical entertainment in Harlem. © Copyright 2021 Apollo Theater. The future of the Apollo Theater seemed safer from 1991, after the state of New York acquired the site and handed a 99-year lease, at a cost of $1 per year, to a … By 1937 the Apollo is the largest employer of black theatrical workers in the US, according to Frank Schiffman, and the only theater in NYC hiring blacks in backstage positions. Join the Apollo A-List for the latest updates. AZUMI TAKAHASHI. B.B. IT WASN'T ALWAYS CALLED THE APOLLO THEATER. Aretha Franklin’s Apollo shows are major events. All rights reserved. In 1935, Bessie Smith’s four weeks at the Apollo are her sole live performances that year. Hershey Theatre announced the winners of the 11th annual Apollo Awards during a ceremony Sunday evening at the theater. Today, the Apollo is a respected not-for-profit, which presents concerts, performing arts, education and community outreach programs. The Apollo Chorus Girls are considered to be the best line in NYC. “Mambo Shows” are a big Apollo attraction with stars like Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria & the Mambo Aces. The show was open to contest winners only, with most winners attending via SiriusXM but there were also smaller contests held via U2.Com as well. Cohen and Sussman changed the format of the shows from burlesque to variety revues and redirected their marketing attention to the growing African-American community in Harlem. … A year later, at just 10 years old, he was invited to perform at Stevie Wonder’s induction into the Apollo Theater’s Hall of Fame. Nancy Wilson makes her Apollo debut. Comedy acts like “Harlem’s Son of Fun,” Nipsey Russell, Timmie Rogers & James “Stump” Cross and Harold “Stumpy” Cromer are a major draw. Child Star of Tomorrow Winner: BRANDON GRAY. Who will be the next Ella Fitzgerald, James Brown or Jackson 5? 1914 The Theater opens as Hurtig and Seamon’s (New) Burlesque Theater. CBS News It's an talent competition that's been around for some 80 years -- … The Apollo Theater Foundation launches its first performance series with a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Other performances follow including Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, Boys Choir of Harlem and Betty Carter - Jazz Ahead ’95. The Schiffman and Brecher families would operate the Theater until the late 1970s. Stars of the Philadelphia International record label including the Delfonics, the O’Jay’s, the Stylistics, the Spinners, the Three Degrees and Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes are presented. Matthew Whitaker was a winning participant of the “Child Stars of Tomorrow” competition, as part of Amateur Night at the Apollo in 2010. At Amateur Night, you decide. Fox takes the reader all the way back to 1914 and discusses entertainment in Harlem, and New York City, in that bustling era when vaudeville was sill king to set the stage for the debut of the Apollo in 1934. Jive” Smalls brings the idea of the Rhythm and Blues Revue to Apollo manager Bobby Schiffman. Tap Dancers like the Nicholas Brothers, Berry Brothers, Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, Buck and Bubbles are the top dance acts. It’s a time in American musical history when a new sound is percolating. All rights reserved. The Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc., a not-for-profit organization is established to manage, fund and program the Apollo Theater. In 2005, their story is recounted in the documentary “Been Rich All My Life.”. Performers include Sarah Vaughn, “Big” Joe Turner, Herb Jeffries, the Count Basie Orchestra, comedian Nipsey Russell, and the dancer Bill Bailey. “Showtime at the Apollo” is first broadcast in 1955, taped before a live studio audience. In 1981, Percy Sutton’s Inner City Broadcasting Corporation and a group of private investors purchase the Apollo Theater. The Johnny Otis Rhythm & Blues Caravan come to Apollo featuring 13-year old Little Esther Phillips. 2019 SEASON WINNERS! The event will be hosted by SiriusXM and Pandora.. Milestones in Apollo Theater History 1913 The historic neo-classical theater, known today as the Apollo Theater, was designed by George Keister. Amateur Night winners include Ella Fitzgerald and Pearl Bailey. The shows feature as many as a dozen vocal acts on 1 bill. Join us for a global celebration of culture, tradition, ritual and community on Sunday, December 27th with Abdel R. Salaam’s Forces of Nature Dance Theatre, host Imhotep Gary Byrd and special guests mumufresh, Marc Bamuthi Jospeh, Harlem Children's Zone and so many more! Under Sutton’s ownership, the Theater was equipped with a recording and television studio. Apollo comics stop using blackface makeup. Cohen reopened the building as the 125th Street Apollo Theatre in 1934 with his partner, Morris Sussman serving as manager. Created in 2008, the Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards (HTAA) are presented annually to recognize outstanding achievement by local high school students in their musical and play productions. By the mid 1970s, the Apollo is presenting only 22 weeks of shows per year as recordings eclipse live performances as an important source of income for artists. Amateur Night winners during the 1940s include Sarah Vaughn and Ruth Brown. Visit apollotheater.org for more info Alvin has since appeared several times as a soloist at the world famous Apollo Theater in New York; the NAACP National Convention held at the Copley Plaza Hotel in Boston and worked professionally as a pop/country singer & dancer at Kings Dominion theme park in Richmond, Virginia. The classic competition is known for its notoriously “tough” audience, gleefully deciding who will “be good or be gone” to win the grand prize. Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, Sammy Davis Jr., James Brown, Gladys Knight, Luther Vandross, D’Angelo, Lauryn Hill, and countless others began their road to stardom on the Apollo stage. Help us spread our music by ***Subscribing ***to our Youtube Channel!! In a little over 20 years, the structure we know … He returned to the Apollo for FOX TV’s revival of SHOWTIME AT THE APOLLO in 2016, where he … The Jewel Box Revue, “25 Men and 1 Girl”, is one of the most popular shows and features performances by transvestites. In 1955, Thurman Ruth’s Gospel Caravan debuts at the Apollo featuring such as The Dixie Hummingbirds, Shirley Caesar, Alex Bradford, Clara Ward & the Soul Stirrers. Dinah Washington and Sammy Davis, Jr. make their first Apollo appearance. The Apollo reopened briefly in 1978 under new management then closed again in November 1979. “The Detective Story,” with Sidney Poitier is the first dramatic play to be shown on the stage. Hampton’s hit, “Flyin’ Home,” becomes an Apollo favorite. Presented by Apollo Theater Education, Harlem 2020, and GoodThin.gs, FootPrint – Design and Creativity in Sneaker Culture will celebrate the cultural, societal, and aesthetic impact of the sneaker through interactive storytelling, demonstrations, and conversations with leaders from the … Fox’s work is a new, illustrated version of his 1983 book Showtime at the Apollo: The Story of Harlem’s World Famous Theater. In 1983, the Apollo received state and city landmark status and in 1991, Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc., was established as a private, not-for-profit organization to manage, fund and oversee programming for the Apollo Theater. In person at the Apollo Theater Box Office By phone call Ticketmaster (800) 745-3000 * Additional $3.50 facility fee, online and phone service fees apply HALF-OFF FOR HARLEM Harlem residents, employees, and business owners and students can save 50% on tickets to this moving performance. The Miracles, with Smokey Robinson, appear on Ray Charles’ show. Jazz greats like Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Thelonius Monk appear at the Apollo. In 1935, Bessie Smith’s four weeks at the Apollo are her sole live performances that year. Tuesdays at the USO were “Apollo Night.”. “The Apollo,” Roger Ross Williams’ documentary on the historic Harlem theater, has won the Emmy for Outstanding Documentary or Non-Fiction Special. Willie Bryant is the host. Jamael Westman for Hamilton at Victoria Palace Theatre