Image via Complex Original
The Apollo Theater in Harlem turned 80 this year, and at the center of the celebration is the revival of Amateur Night. For the uninitiated, Amateur Night at The Apollo is a hilarious, weekly performance showcase featuring would-be stars that are sometimes so bad they make Shreds videos sound good. It wasn’t always this way.
In its 80-year history, Amateur Night at The Apollo has helped launch the careers of many icons. To help revive the Amateur Night legacy, the theater is currently accepting submissions for an updated version of the theme song, one that they hope will reflect the history of its flagship talent show, which predates American Idol, Star Search and the X Factor.
"Isn't the best part of attending Amateur Night the joy one receives when shamelessly booing talentless hacks offstage?
"Amateur Night has always been about opportunity," said Dexter Upshaw, the Digital Manager at The Apollo who is heading up the competition. "Of course every week we have vocalists, dancers, comedians who come to the theater hoping for the opportunity to have their voice heard and to win and to get their big break into the business. What people may not realize is that the Apollo has been home to a lot of songwriters as well."
The songwriters who enter the competition, which closes February 26, must upload the song to YouTube where it will be judged by the Internet and also several producers at the theater. In the end, a live audience at The Apollo will determine which tune becomes the official new theme song for the show.
"This songwriting competition gives people the opportunity to be a part of the legacy of the theater," said Upshaw. "Our show is high energy. It’s a lot of fun. It meets every week. We thought it would be great to give [songwriters] an opportunity to be a part of that."
Be that as it may, isn't the best part of attending Amateur Night the joy one receives when shamelessly booing talentless hacks offstage? In the age of "no haters," isn't Amateur Night a sacred space for proud, smug assholes to enjoy watching others fail?
"I would say that for audience members, they enjoy the opportunity to have their voice heard. They enjoy the opportunity to express how they feel," explains Upshaw. "Now the interesting thing is, if you talk to a lot of people in the audience, some of them are uncomfortable with booing, and others, obviously they love it and they search for the opportunity to do it."
"This songwriting competition gives people the opportunity to be a part of the legacy of the theater."
Haters and non-haters in the Amateur Night audience aside, it’s hard to overestimate the cultural value of The Apollo Theater. Even if Amateur Night is unlikely to produce another prodigy like Ella Fitzgerald as it did in 1934, it's important to take this time during Black History Month to acknowledge The Apollo’s status as a cultural beacon in America. Michael Jackson and The Jackson Five, Billie Holiday, Luther Vandross, Gladys Knight & the Pips, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Lauryn Hill, Dionne Warwick and more began their careers on its stage, the memorial service for the Velvet Underground's Lou Reed was held there in December, and a new generation of talent will find its way there, too.
Click through to look back at memorable moments at The Apollo Theater in Harlem since 1934.
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In The Beginning
The neo-classical theater was built in 1914 and its original name was the Hurtig and Seamon's New Burlesque Theater. African-American patrons were not allowed. It was shuttered after an anti-burlesque campaign led by future mayor Fiorello La Guardia, and later reopened as the Apollo Theater in 1934.
Flashing Lights
By the 1940s, The Apollo Theater had secured its reputation as the home for some of the most talented black dancers, singers and actors in America. Amateur Night winners in the 1940s include jazz vocalists Sarah Vaughn and Ruth Brown. This is also the decade that The Apollo thought it would be a good idea to stop letting its comedians wear black face. Minstrel Theater, not a good look.
Showtime at The Apollo
Showtime at The Apollo, a television broadcast filmed in front of a live studio audience, began taping in the 1950s. Guests included the Count Basie Band and Sarah Vaughn. Other jazz greats that appeared on stage in the 1950s include Josephine Baker, Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Thelonius Monk.
Ella Fitzgerald
In 1934, a young Ella Fitzgerald was to compete in Amateur Night as a dancer. Lucky for the world of jazz and pop music, at the last minute she decided to compete as a singer. A decade later, Fitzgerald returned to the Apollo as a fully-fledged star.
James Brown
The "Godfather of Soul," James Brown, making one of many appearances on the Apollo's stage. "When I'm on stage, I'm trying to do one thing: bring people joy. Just like church does. People don't go to church to find trouble, they go there to lose it."
Stevie Wonder
Little Stevie Wonder was one of the original winners of Amateur Night. Here he performs during the Motortown Revue at the Apollo with the Theater's house orchestra.
The Shirelles
The Shirelles perform during the Motortown Revue at the Apollo in 1962.
Little Richard
Rock and roll pioneer Little Richard getting ready to perch on his throne like a boss.
Gladys Knight
The "Empress of Soul," Gladys Knight, at The Apollo in the 1970s. Gladys Knight & the Pips are also one of the more well-known Amateur Night winners.
Aretha Franklin
By the 1970s, Aretha Franklin had become a regular star on the Apollo's stage. To welcome the return of the "Queen of Soul," the Apollo changed its marquee to read, “She’s Home.” In 1971, John Lennon and Yoko Ono appeared at the Apollo for a benefit concert after the Attica Prison riot.
Michael Jackson
The "King of Pop," Michael Jackson, made numerous appearances at the theater after The Jackson 5 won Amateur Night in 1967.
