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Milestone for the Apollo – 75 Years

Milestone for the Apollo – 75 Years

Posted by on Feb 28, 2009 | 7 comments
The Appollo Theater In Harlem

The Apollo Theater In Harlem

Everyone played the Apollo. I remember leaving school early on Wednesdays and standing on line to get in to see James Brown, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry or the Moonglows. In those days you could sit through and catch a second show which we did often.

A lot of our neighborhood friends performed at the Apollo. with groups like the The Chantels (“Maybe”, “Will you Love Me Tomorrow” and our favorite “The Plea”), the Limelighters, the Cadillacs and  others. Sometimes the singing groups would gather outside one of the side doors to see if they could get on stage that day and do their thing.

Our Dad introduced us to the Apollo, where he once played. (Jazz big band that  won “Amateur Night” ) It was our Broadway and sometimes Sinatra or Bennett would travel north to sit in with one of the bands.

motownrecords

Motown Records

One of the greatest shows I ever saw, was the Arthur Prysock Singing with Red Prysock’s band, followed by Machito. This was followed by an outrageous jam session with the two bands joined together playing Dizzy Gillespie’s Caravan, like I had never heard it before.

I can recall going out on a first date to see Bill Cosby and embarrassingly crying with laughter and following up the next week to see the complete  Motown Review, all for less money then it takes to fill a gas tank.

The Apollo turns 75 and it’s been a miracle that it is still alive.



7 Responsesto “Milestone for the Apollo – 75 Years”

  1. Sandy says:
    February 28, 2009 at 6:16 am

    Great memories Bob! We went to see the Doo Wop groups also. PBS has these old timers on during their fund raising sessions.(As I watch- can't resist – I sing along and am amazed that I still know all the words:)

    Sandy

    Reply
  2. Bob Martin says:
    February 28, 2009 at 7:12 am

    I'm surprise how long ago that was and I how grown we seemed to have been at 15. At school there was a butch of us who would hang out in boys room singing acapella, we sounded good in the john not so good outside it.

    Reply
  3. Milestone for the Apollo - 75 Years (repost) « Auntie Carrie’s Speak Easy says:
    March 6, 2009 at 7:10 pm

    [...] for the Apollo – 75 Years (repost) My father (Auntie Carrie’s nephew) wrote this wonderful post in his blog, “Review”, about the Apollo Theater’s anniversary. I decided to steal it and re-post it. It’s [...]

    Reply
  4. Ebony says:
    July 30, 2009 at 5:04 am

    Hi Bob! I am researching the Apollo Theater and looking at great performers who started there. You mentioned The Chantels. Do you know what year they performed at the Apollo and when they won Amateur Night there?

    Thanks! Ebony

    Reply
  5. Ebony says:
    August 12, 2009 at 1:42 am

    Thanks so much Bob!

    Reply
  6. Geri says:
    September 15, 2009 at 12:11 pm

    Bob,

    I have a question, where can I find the bands that won the amateur night at the Apollo theatre in the 1970's. My friend stated the band that he played with won a amateur night at the Apollo theatre in the 1970's.

    Reply

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