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Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Apollo Theater

The Apollo Theater is a music hall located in the Harlem neighborhood of Upper Manhattan in New York City. It is a well known venue for African-American performers. This is the location where the Showtime at the Apollo was shot. The Showtime at the Apollo was a nationally syndicated television variety show which showcased new talent from 1987 to 2008.

It has a capacity of 1,506. Apollo Theater was opened in 1913 as Hurtig & Seamon’s Music Hall. Later on, alterations were made that year to make the space fit for showing movies. This is why it was renamed the Apollo Theater. Let’s have a look at the Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Apollo Theater.

1. It was designed by George Keister

Photo by Annie Gavin.

It was designed by George Keister in the neo-Classical style. George Keister was an American architect. His famous work includes the Hotel Gerard (1893), the Astor Theatre (1906), the Belasco Theatre (1907) and Apollo Theater (1914).

Keister studied architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. During this time he also studied in the architecture firms of Ware & Van Brunt and George F. Meacham.

2. Apollo Theater is a New York City landmark

In 1983, both the interior and exterior of the building were designated as New York City Landmarks. Further, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It is estimated that close to 1.3 million people visit the Apollo every year.

These recognitions are given to protect New York City’s architecturally, historically, and culturally significant buildings and sites by granting them landmark or historic district status. The buildings are  regulated after designation.

3. It was among the first institution to accommodate the black community

Photo by Steven Pisano. .

Apollo Theater was originally Hurtig and Seamon’s New (Burlesque) Theater which enforced a strict “Whites Only” policy. The theater was operated by noted burlesque producers Jules Hurtig and Harry Seamon.

After New York City mayor Fiorello La Guardia cracked down on burlesque, the theater was purchased in 1933 by Sidney Cohen. He made renovations and the theatre was re-opened on January 26, 1934 catering to the black community of Harlem.

Read about the Father of South African Jazz in the article Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Hugh Masekela. 

4. In 1976 a 18-year old was shot dead in Apollo Theater

While the 1960s was the venue’s most successful decade, the following decade, a drug problem arose in Harlem. There were a number of robberies and thefts. This was the cause of its closing in 1976 after an 18-year-old was shot to death.

5. The theatre hosted amateur nights

Photo by Peter Matthews. Wikimedia Commons.

At the Apollo, the amateur nights were originally called “Audition Night”. Later it became “Amateur Night in Harlem”, held every Wednesday evening. The shows were broadcast on the radio.

A unique feature of the Apollo during Amateur Nights was “the executioner”. The executioner was a man with a broom who would sweep performers off the stage if the highly vocal and opinionated audiences began to call for their removal.

6. Apollo Theater launched the career of Ella Fitzgerald

Apollo Theater prided itself in being a place “where stars are born and legends are made.” The theatre became famous for launching the careers of artists such as Ella Fitzgerald. Ella Fitzgerald made her singing debut at 17 at the Apollo.

This was on November 21, 1934. Fitzgerald’s performances pulled in a weekly audience at the Apollo. It was for such reasons that she won the opportunity to compete in one of the earliest of the “Amateur Nights”.

Have a look at the 30 Greatest Black Singers of All Times.

7. In 2002, Michael Jackson held a free concert in Apollo Theater

Photo by Bohemian Baltimore. .

On April 24, 2002, American pop star Michael Jackson played a free concert at Apollo Theater. He performed three songs from his eighth studio album Dangerous. The concert raised about $3 million. This was Jackson’s final on-stage performance before his death in 2009. Unfortunately, there is no full footage from the concert.

8. The first major star to appear in Apollo Theater was Adelaide Hall

On February 14, 1934, the first major star to appear at the Apollo was Adelaide Hall. Hall was a  jazz singer and Broadway star who appeared in Clarence Robinson’s production Chocolate Soldiers.

This featured Sam Wooding’s Orchestra. The show ran for a limited engagement and was highly praised by the press. This really helped to establish the Apollo’s reputation. Hall’s career spanned more than 70 years from 1921 until her death.

Check out these 10 of the most Famous Jazz Singers.

9. Comic acts were also done in the theatre

Photo by Juju367. .

Comic acts also appeared on the Apollo stage, such as Butterbeans and Susie, including some who performed in blackface, much to the horror of the NAACP and the elite of Harlem.

Butterbeans and Susie were an American comedy duo comprising Jodie Edwards and Susie Edwards. They married in 1917, and performed together until the early 1960s. Their act, a combination of marital quarrels, comic dances, and racy singing.

10. Many notable performances have taken place in Apollo Theater

The Apollo Theater has hosted very many notable performances. It has featured the performances of old-time vaudeville favorites like Tim Moore, Stepin Fetchit, Moms Mabley, Dewey “Pigmeat” Markham, and Clinton “Dusty” Fletcher. The very famous Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Billie Holiday, The Jackson 5, Luther Vandross and Diana Ross had the chance to showcase their talent at the theatre. 

Check out the 20 Most Famous Buildings in New York.