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Home • News

Apollo Legends

Apollo
By · Updated October 29, 2020
01
The Godfather of Soul

The Apollo Theater celebrates its 75th anniversary tonight in Harlem, New York. To commemorate the milestone, we’re spotlighting artists who’ve done their thing on the legendary stage.

James Brown was an Apollo favorite, wowing audiences with his electrifying performances.

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02
The King of Pop

Decades after hitting the stage with his four big brothers, Michael Jackson returned in 1992 for the Democratic National Committee’s A Night at the Apollo special concert event.

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03
The Jazz Great

Jazz singer Sarah Vaughan’s rich voice, wide range and the inventiveness of her improvisations made her an Apollo legend.

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04
The Entertainer

Sammy Davis, Jr., was a singer, dancer and actor, and his performances were rich with showmanship.

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05
The Chanteuse

The Apollo’s Amateur Night helped many artists get their start. Songbird Shanice Wilson brought her powerhouse vocals to the famed theater.

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06
The Smooth Operator

By fusing 1950’s doo-wop, rock, and blues styles into the soul music of the 1960’s, Jackie Wilson became a fan favorite.

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07
The Breakout

Long before she was one-third of rap supergroup The Fugess, Lauryn Hill tried her luck on Amateur Night. The Apollo audience is notorious for its demand for greatness. Either bring it or get booed off the stage.

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08
The Soul Provider

Soul singer Marvin Gaye smoothes it out on the Apollo stage in 1964.

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09
The Rock Legend

Jimi Hendrix proved rock stars could also bring down the house.

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10
The Genius

Musical icon Stevie Wonder brought the Apollo audience to its feet during one of his early performances in 1960.

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11
The Balladeer

Arguably the best male vocalist of a generation, Luther Vandross serenades the ladies with his velvet voice.

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12
The Supreme Being

Legendary diva Diana Ross shows the crowd who’s boss.

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13
The Timeless Voice

Smokey Robinson accepts his induction into the Apollo Hall of Fame.

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14
The Originator

One of the most influential jazz singers of all time, Billie Holiday was one of the Apollo’s early legends.

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15
The Diva

She’s sold more than 80 million records, but before Mariah Carey became a pop superstar, she surprised an Apollo audience when she belt her early 90’s hit “Vision of Love.”

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16
The Singer’s Singer

As Apollo audiences know all too well, Patti LaBelle brings it when she comes to the stage.

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17
The Swing Man

Nat King Cole’s warm ballads and light swing made him an Apollo audience favorite.

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18
The Renaissance Woman

No Apollo legends list would be complete without noting the incomparable talents of Lena Horne.

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19
The True Talent

The stylings of musicians like jazz great Lionel Hampton, far left, had the Apollo audiences coming back for more.

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20
The Soul Brother

R&B singer Lyfe Jennings won over the hard-to-please Apollo audience with his sultry street ballads.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for our all-access coverage of tonight’s big 75th anniversary gala.

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