The Apollo Theatre (continued)

One unique feature of the Apollo during Amateur Nights was "the executioner,"  (we called him The Sandman) a man with a broom who would sweep performers off the stage if the highly vocal and opinionated audiences began to call for their removal.

One rock and roll fan site, without citing its source, claims that on August 16, 1957, white performer Buddy Holly played the Apollo. Conversely, The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture claims (Caucasian) rockabilly artist Dale Hawkins "performed at the Apollo Theater in New York City two weeks before the reputed first white artists, Buddy Holly and the Crickets, arrived on the scene." Hawkins himself claimed in 1998, without specifying a performance date, "I was the first white artist to play the Apollo Theater." Another Caucasian performer Jo-Ann Campbell claims she performed November 30, 1956, and the week of May 3, 1957. A fan site claims that Caucasian performer Jimmy Cavallo and the House Rockers performed there in December 1956, in support of the movie Rock, Rock, Rock. A poster for Alan Freed's Rock 'N Roll Halloween Party on October 29, 1955, lists and shows a picture of white female rockabilly artist Lillian Briggs as one of the performers at Freed's Apollo Theater event, and it is possible other white artists may have performed at the Apollo before her. Photo evidence has recently been discovered that Charlie Barnet and his band performed at the Apollo sometime between late August and October 1952.
As of 2009 it is run by the nonprofit Apollo Theater Foundation Inc., and draws an estimated 1.3 million visitors annually.
The Jazz Foundation of America has celebrated its annual benefit concert, "A Great Night in Harlem", at the Apollo Theater every year since 2001.
In December 2010, Paul McCartney performed at the Apollo in a concert promoting and broadcast by Sirius XM Satellite Radio.

**During an appearance at the Apollo in January 2012, President Barack Obama sang the opening line of Al Green's "Let's Stay Together" after which he said to Green, "Don't worry, Rev...I cannot sing like you...I just wanted to show my appreciation."**

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band played the Apollo on March 9, 2012, in a private concert for Sirius XM.

The Apollo Theatre has assured that as long as there is music, it's place is set in history!
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