Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing: How the Apollo Theater Shaped American Entertainment March 15, 2011

'Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing: How the Apollo Theater Shaped American Entertainment' traces the evolution of the Apollo from its origins as a segregated burlesque hall to its starring role at the epicenter of African-American entertainment and American popular culture. Nearly all forms of entertainment - comedy, swing, jazz, rock 'n' roll, soul, hop hop and more - were welcomed on the Apollo stage. Serving as a place where African-American performers could start and advance their careers, the Apollo helped to launch some of the best-known names in entertainment - dancers Charles "Cholly" Atkins, Sammy Davis, Jr, and Bill "Bojangles" Robinson; band leaders Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington; comedians Redd Foxx and Jackie "Moms" Mabley; and musicians ranging from Louis Armstrong, James Brown and Lionel Hampton to Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin and The Jackson Five.