Since 1934 The Apollo Theater has been far more than just a music venue on 125th Street in Harlem, it has been the center of African American culture.
Well known for it's intense Amateur Night, countless would-be performers have either been booed off the famous stage or watched as their careers have launched thanks to the incredibly honest audience who will tell you exactly how they feel.
Some of your favorite stars have had less-than desirable debuts while others won the crowd over quickly.
Originally established as Hurtig and Seamon's New Burlesque Theater in 1913, it was a whites-only venue whose neo-classical style reflected the popularity of vaudeville and burlesque in the Harlem of the 1910s.
Designed by architect George Keister, new ownership transformed the theater into a safe space for both Black performers and audiences. The theater's inaugural event on January 26, 1934, featured "Jazz a la Carte."
That year 17-year-old Ella Fitzgerald, who at the time was homeless and living on Harlem's streets tap dancing for spare change, was one of the first eventual legends booed off the Apollo stage during her first performance at Amateur Night.
She was originally going to dance but when she saw the dancers who preceded her thrill the audience with their moves, she chose to sing instead. Halfway through the song she realized she couldn't remember the rest of the words, so she scatted. The merciless crowd booed.
“We were a bunch of rowdy teenagers in the balcony ’cause they were introducing somebody we didn’t know,” dancer and choreographer Norma Miller told the New York Times in 2018. “Can you imagine? We booed Ella Fitzgerald?”
Ella would return to the Apollo and win the contest several times. Many confuse those wins with her initial failure, but she would not be the last star to get the raspberry at the hallowed venue.
When 13-year-old Miss Lauryn Hill made her first trip to the stage she was booed as she missed several notes, but she hung in there, took the mic off the stand and carried on, finishing her cover of the Motown hit "Who's Lovin You."
Ten years later she won the Album of the Year Grammy for her debut solo LP.
Over the years most of the greats in R&B, soul, hip-hop and pop would grace the stage, rub the lucky "Tree of Hope" stump, and autograph the wall backstage after performing.
Our database lists 33,500+ acts that, for certain, played there but there have been many more.
And no, not all of them were Black. All cultures have been welcome to the theater and many different styles of music have made their way into the hearts of fans.
When U2 played the Apollo in 2018, they had the help of The Sun Ra Arkestra to help them bring home the majesty of "Angel of Harlem."
The tune from Rattle & Hum was written as a tribute to Billie Holiday who, at 19, made her debut at the Apollo. Like Ella, Billie first hit that stage in 1934 as well.
Music videos, press conferences, tributes, and movies have been recorded at the famous spot.
In 2004, to celebrate the Apollo's 70th birthday, musicians gathered and NBC taped a special night of remembrance of the ups and downs the theater encountered.
One of the best moments was when Bob Dylan covered the Sam Cooke classic, "A Change Is Gonna Come" after being introduced by Ossie Davis.
Countless live recordings were made at the Apollo by legends like B.B. King, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, and even Bruce Springsteen.
James Brown is responsible for the most albums recorded at the 1,500 capacity theater with four.
Now 90 years old, the Apollo is still living up to its legend. The Amateur Night is each Wednesday and sponsored by Coke, movies and concerts are still part of the schedule, and there's an ongoing series called Musicians on Musicians where some of your favorites chat it up and then perform.
For example in a few weeks Busta Rhymes, GloRilla, Brittany Howard and Doechii will take to the stage for insightful discussions and music.
Get your tickets for all Apollo events via their website.
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