Sometimes a place embodies the soul of a community. These iconic places are not just venues or buildings — they are gathering spots for the expression of a culture. The Apollo Theater in Harlem is one of those places. From Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald to James Brown, Jimi Hendrix, Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross, Lauryn Hill, and D’angelo– the starting point for many of the greatest musicians and singers in history has been the Apollo.
In addition, many comedians were introduced to a larger national audience as a result of the Apollo. An a-list set of comedians which includes Sinbad, Steve Harvey, Mark Curry, and Martin Lawrence have all served as hosts of “Showtime at the Apollo”, the syndicated amateur night showcase. Comedians Dave Chappelle and Jamie Foxx early in their careers performed at amateur night.
I remember watching “Showtime at the Apollo” with my siblings growing up. They had a character called the “sand man” that would not so gracefully escort acts off the stage if they got booed. It became a standard — if an artist could survive the Apollo amateur night they just might have a chance at a career.
The Apollo is located on 125th street in Harlem. If you are ever in New York listen to the advice of Duke Ellington and hop on the A train to Harlem. Take it all in as you walk from the subway to the theater and think about the many iconic individuals who walked along that very path.
For more in depth history on the Apollo Theater, visit their website here.
