Showtime at the Apollo's Century-Long Journey, from Vaudeville to Motown, as portrayed in 33 nostalgic photos
The Apollo Theater, a legendary cultural institution in Harlem, has been a launching pad for black performers since the early 20th century, with notable artists such as James Brown, Michael Jackson, and Billie Holiday gracing its stage.
Originally designed by George Keister in 1913, the theater primarily featured burlesque until 1933, when it was purchased by theater impresario Sidney S. Cohen and renamed the 125th Street Apollo Theatre. The venue underwent a significant transformation under Cohen's leadership, embracing the vibrant African American community in Harlem and transitioning from burlesque to variety revues.
Frank Schiffman and Leo Brecher took over the theater's management in the mid-1930s. They operated the venue until the late 1970s and expanded its programming to include a wide range of entertainment such as comedy, tap-dancing, jazz, blues, movie screenings, and play productions. Schiffman is credited with integrating the theater into its surrounding community, with fundraisers for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the National Urban League among the efforts.
The Apollo quickly gained fame and recognition with the help of James Brown's 1962 album "James Brown Live at the Apollo," which propelled the theater into the spotlight. The album reportedly became a staple in black households, eventually earning the Apollo a place in the canon of American culture.
Over the decades, the Apollo has been a springboard for countless talented artists, including Ella Fitzgerald, who won the theatre's inaugural "Amateur Night" competition at the age of 15. Other notable alumni include Pearl Bailey, Sarah Vaughan, Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, and Lauryn Hill. The theater's weekly talent competition, "Amateur Night," has become a staple and a rite of passage for aspiring performers.
In recent years, the Apollo has continued to serve as a cultural landmark, hosting contemporary performances and celebrating the rich tapestry of African American arts and entertainment. The Apollo Theater Archive Project collects and preserves costumes, documents, photographs, recordings, and memorabilia, ensuring its legacy endures.
Today, the Apollo remains an important symbol of Harlem's vibrant cultural history and resilience, standing at the heart of the Harlem Renaissance and inspiring new generations of artists and audiences.
Sources:
- The Music of Black America: A History, by Eileen Southern
- Apollo Theater
- The Encyclopedia of the Harlem Renaissance, by Sandra L. West and Aberjhani
- Vanity Fair
- Rolling Stone
The Apollo Theater, under various management, transitioned from featuring burlesque to incorporating a wide range of entertainment such as comedy, tap-dancing, jazz, blues, movie screenings, and play productions, thus embodying a significant part of African American culture and lifestyle. Hence, the theater's legacy not only encompasses historic performers like James Brown, Michael Jackson, and Billie Holiday but also includes contemporary artists who continue to celebrate and further the rich tapestry of African American arts and entertainment.
