NEW YORK -- Harlem's Apollo Theatre, closed in the late 1970s for lack of money, enters a new era today with formal designation as a national historic landmark in its 50th anniversary year as a mecca to black entertainers.
The theater under black ownership for the first time, was officially listed by the National Register of Historic Places Wednesday night at a reception at the newly refurbished building.
'The Apollo Theatre never died in the hearts and minds of so many devoted fans and entertainers, so we are thrilled to ensure the continuation of its long and fruitful life,' said Percy Sutton, a former borough president of Manhattan and the president of Inner City Broadcasting, which now owns the theater. It was closed during the late 1970s because of financial woes.
'The events tonight will introduce everyone to the fact that the Apollo is still alive and thriving and getting ready to do bigger and better things,' said publicist Patricia Hinds.
Now 50 years old, the Apollo stages traditional amateur nights and gospel shows and this fall opens a restored 1,500-seat auditorium, with 4,000 square feet of audio studios and vidio studio space.
Last June, both the city and state proclaimed it a landmark. Last November, the federal government issued an informal landmarks designation and Wednesday night formally presented Sutton with the proclamation.
Built in 1913 as the Hurtig and Seamon's New Burlesque Theater, it was transformed into a vaudeville stage on Jan. 26, 1934, and helped launch the careers of Billy Eckstine, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Billy Kenny and the Ink Spots, Leslie Uggams and Barbara McNair.
Built in 1913 as the Hurtig and Seamon's New Burlesque Theater, it was transformed into a vaudeville stage Jan. 26, 1934, and helped launch the careers of Billy Eckstine, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Billy Kenny and the Ink Spots, Leslie Uggams and Barbara McNair.
White comics Milton Berle and Joey Adams were regular visitors, Mick Jagger was said to have sat in the audience studying musical style and the Beatles reportedly picked the Apollo as the first place they wanted to visit in America.
