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18 unusual facts about Apollo Theater


Barbara Lynn

She appeared at the Apollo Theater, twice on American Bandstand, and had her song, "Oh Baby (We've Got A Good Thing Goin')" (1964) covered by The Rolling Stones on their album The Rolling Stones Now! (1965).

Billy Ward and his Dominoes

The group was at first called the Ques, composed of Clyde McPhatter (lead tenor), whom Ward recruited after McPhatter won "Amateur Night" at the Apollo Theater, Charlie White (tenor), Joe Lamont (baritone), and Bill Brown (bass).

Boyd Raeburn

Billy Eckstine, whose own bebop big band also suffered from the recording ban, was ecstatic about it, helping Raeburn play a week at the all-black Apollo Theater.

Edward Ferrero

He chose not to reopen his previous dance academy, but instead leased a building in a new location, eventually turning it into a world-famed ballroom known as Apollo Hall.

Hot Lips Page

He was the leader of the house band at the Apollo Theater during the early 1940s, and he recorded duets with Pearl Bailey on "The Hucklebuck" and "Baby, It's Cold Outside" in 1949.

It's a Big Daddy Thing

Also, one of the songs in the album, "Wrath of Kane," appears in live performance taken from the Apollo Theater.

Junk Yard Band

No longer viewed simply as a novelty act, the group performed at such prestigious venues as the Kennedy Center and the Apollo Theater.

Ken Hirai

He was the first Japanese artist to take the classic test of a true R&B performer - playing at the Apollo Theater in New York, where he got a warm reception.

Live at the Harlem Square Club, 1963

Bruce Eder of Allmusic writes "it's one of the greatest soul records ever cut by anybody, outshining James Brown's first live album from the Apollo Theater and easily outclassing Jackie Wilson's live record from the Copa."

Live: Meadowbrook, Rochester, Michigan – 12th September 1971

Original drummer Tiki Fulwood had also departed right before this show to explore other musical opportunities, and was replaced by former Apollo Theater house drummer Tyrone Lampkin.

Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing

--including Alex Storozynski, which page calls him PP-winning--> "for its effective campaign to rescue Harlem's Apollo Theater from the financial mismanagement that threatened the landmark's survival"

RaVaughn

At age 16, RaVaughn won two rounds and qualified for the finals in "Showtime at the Apollo" at the famous Apollo Theater in New York City.

Satan and Adam

In October 1986, Gussow encountered Magee again, purely by chance, this time at Magee's regular stretch of sidewalk near the Apollo Theater.

Shota Shimizu

Before his debut, in November 2007, Shimizu sang in English on amateur night at the Apollo Theater in New York City.

The Jones Sisters Trio

In 1966, having already recorded two albums for World Records, the Trio (now 21, 19, and 17) played as part of the week-long Harlem Crusade Association rally at the Apollo Theater to over 12,000 people.

The Ravens

In early 1946, they decided to form a vocal group and recruited Leonard "Zeke" Puzey, who had recently won a talent contest at the Apollo Theater, and Henry Oliver "Ollie" Jones.

Theresa Thomason

Thomason reached the airwaves with Fresh Enuff, a popular club single and a winning performance at the Apollo Theater in New York City.

Willie Tee

In the late 1960s, Willie Tee & the Souls played venues from the Apollo Theater in Harlem to the Ivanhoe on Bourbon Street.


Jake Bern

Also, he has acted in many theatrical productions world-wide, including the Apollo Theater in New York City, Theatro Nacional in Havana, Cuba, and Campus Jussieu in Paris, France.

Live at the Apollo: The Proclamation

Byron Cage's album Live At the Apollo: The Proclamation was recorded live at the Apollo Theater on April 26, 2007 with production by PAJAM and featured guests J Moss, Kim Burrell, & Dave Hollister.

Skoota Warner

The following year, Skoota joined the Apollo Theater's Amateur Night House Band with whom he backed such R&B, funk, and hip-hop stars as Keith Sweat, Guy, and Big Daddy Kane.

The Crows

They were discovered at Apollo Theater's Wednesday night talent show by talent agent Cliff Martinez and brought to independent producer George Goldner who had just set up the tiny new Rama Records label.

The Way You Do the Things You Do

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band performed an extended version, as part of a medley with "634-5789", during their radio-broadcast show at the Apollo Theater and have continued to perform it throughout their 2012 Wrecking Ball Tour.