IMPORTANT DATES
IN APOLLO THEATER HISTORY
1913
The neo-classical theater, known today as the Apollo Theater, was designed by George Keister and
construction began, spearheaded by Charles J. Stumpf and Henry Langhoff Company of Milwaukee,
Wisconsin. The construction site is located at 253 West 125th Street, between Adam Clayton
Powell Jr. Boulevard (Seventh Avenue) and Frederick Douglass Boulevard (Eighth Avenue).
Jules Hurtig and Harry Seamon, two of New York’s leading burlesque entertainment operators,
obtain a 30-year lease on the newly constructed theater, which is opened as Hurtig and Seamon’s
(New) Burlesque Theater. Black people are not allowed in the audience. Sidney Cohen, a powerful
theatrical landlord, holds the mortgage note.
Following a fierce “burlesque war” in Harlem, Bill Minsky (the man credited with originating “dirty
burlesque”) and his partner Joseph Weinstock take over Hurtig and Seamon’s Theater. The Hurtig
and Seamon’s (New) Burlesque Theater now becomes known as the 125th Street Apollo Theater.
1932
Bill Minsky dies. Sidney Cohen, department store owner, theater owner, and president of the Motion
Picture Theater Owners of America, buys the theater following Minsky’s death.
1933
Newly elected mayor Fiorello La Guardia begins his campaign against burlesque in New York City.
1934
Sidney Cohen and his manager, Morris Sussman, change the format of shows from burlesque to
variety revues and redirect their marketing attention to the growing African-American community in
Harlem.
1934
On Friday, January 26, the Apollo welcomes African-American patrons for the first time. The Apollo
officially opens “a colored revue” called Jazz à la Carte featuring Ralph Cooper Sr., Benny Carter
and his Orchestra, along with “16 Gorgeous Hot Steppers.” Ralph Cooper brings the timeless
Amateur Night to the Apollo. A young dancer-turned-vocalist by the name of Ella Fitzgerald makes
her Amateur Night debut.
1935
Following a fierce billing war (which he lost), Cohen sells the 125th Street Apollo Theater to
theatrical rivals Leo Brecher and Frank Schiffman. On New Year’s Eve, Bessie Smith, the “Empress
of the Blues,” plays the Apollo.
1937
Count Basie plays the Apollo for the first time. The featured vocalist is nearly overcome by stage
fright and needs to be shoved (gently!) from the wings. Once in the spotlight, Billie Holiday regains
her composure and dazzles the audience with her voice.
1943
Sarah Vaughan wins Amateur Night at the Apollo and is hired by Earl Hines’ band as a vocalist.
1945
Nat “King” Cole and his trio sell-out the Apollo Theater for two straight weeks.
1946
Lionel Hampton’s band is so popular that they have to play seven shows a day for seven days.
1947
Sammy Davis, Jr., makes his debut on the Apollo stage dancing with the Will Matsin Trio.
1956
A young southern man performs in Amateur Night at the Apollo. After winning the competition,
James Brown embarks on his journey to become the “Godfather of Soul.”
The exquisitely beautiful Josephine Baker plays the Apollo in a quarter-million-dollar wardrobe.
1962
Entertainment guru Berry Gordy brings the Motown Revue to the Apollo, featuring Motown’s young
emerging stars: Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles,
Little Stevie Wonder, the Temptations, Martha and the Vandellas, and The Contours.
1964
The world famous rock group The Beatles make its first trip to New York City. The group says that
the Apollo Theater is the place they want to visit more than anywhere else.
1965
Racial tensions in the United States are high and Harlem explodes into riots. Angry crowds respect
the Apollo Theater and leave it untouched while destroying surrounding businesses.
1968
Greeted as the star of I Spy, Bill Cosby plays the Apollo. In the same year, 11-year-old singing
sensation Stephanie Mills wins Amateur Night for six consecutive weeks, singing the Stevie
Wonder classic “For Once in My Life.”
1969
The Jackson Five, one of the greatest R&B groups of all times, travels to the Apollo to break into
show business and win Amateur Night. Michael Jackson is only ten years old.
1971
The “Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin returns to the Apollo Theater. Masses of her fans are turned
away from the sold-out engagements. The marquee reads: “She’s Home.”
1977
Parliament/Funkadelic are the last artists to appear under the Schiffman management of the
Theater. The Apollo, which journalists from around the world claim is “the most prestigious
showcase for Black music in the world,” closes. It reopens as a movie theater but is unsuccessful.
1978
The Apollo Theater falls into bankruptcy and goes dark.
1981
Percy Sutton’s Inner City Broadcasting Corporation and a group of private investors purchase the
Apollo Theater.
1983
The Apollo receives federal, state, and city landmark status as Harlem’s oldest functioning theater.
1985
On May 5th, the Apollo Theater’s renovation is celebrated with a 50th Anniversary grand reopening
and television special, “Motown Salutes the Apollo.” Amateur Night is re-launched on Christmas Eve
this same year.
The Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc., a not-for-profit organization, is established to manage, fund,
and program the Apollo Theater.
Legendary Apollo Amateur Night host Ralph Cooper Sr. passes away. His funeral service is held at
the Apollo Theater.
1993
The Artist formerly known as Prince plays the Apollo in an exclusive VH1 Concert.
1994
The Apollo Theater is chosen as the site for the 36th Annual Grammy Nomination Press
Conference. The Apollo Theater Foundation launches its first performance series with a tribute to Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Other performances follow, including Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, Boys Choir
of Harlem, and Betty Carter – Jazz Ahead ’95.
1996
Swing into Spring: A Harlem Tribute to Lionel Hampton is presented at the Apollo in celebration of
Lionel Hampton’s 88th birthday.
1997
Legendary performer Tony Bennett plays the Apollo in a sold-out engagement honoring Apollo
legend Billie Holiday. HBO Sports and Cedric Kushner Promotions host a historic boxing match for
HBO Boxing After Dark.
1998
George Clinton and the P-Funk All-Stars “land” in Harlem to play the Apollo.
1999
The popular band KORN rocks the Apollo Theater as the first rock band to perform on the world
famous stage. The entire concert is heard the globe over via satellite, webcast, and radio.
The Apollo Theater and Jazz at Lincoln Center present four Jazz for Young People concerts
informing students from Harlem-area elementary schools of the traditions and legends of jazz,
America’s original art form.
Plans for the first open-ended run of a musical-theater production at the Apollo are announced.
Dance Theatre of Harlem presents its first Apollo performance season. Whoopi Goldberg launches
her first tour in a decade. Maxwell, David Byrne, and The Strokes make their Apollo debuts to soldout
audiences.
January 26th, the Apollo temporarily goes dark as the first part of a multi-phased historical
restoration and renovation begins. The re-opening of the Apollo Theater in March makes a splash
with a sensational star-studded cast in a benefit performance.