On August 10, 1992, Thousands Of Mourners Passed Through The Lobby Of Harlem's Apollo Theater, To View The Body Of Ralph W.Cooper, Sr.
Ralph Cooper Was Born In New York City. He Began His Career As A Dancer In Small Downtown Clubs Near New York University, Which He Attended For A Semester. He Also Worked As An Actor In Hollywood Films During the '30s ( He Played Lena Horne's Love Interest In The Film, Stormy Weather) And As A Producer Of What Are Generally Known As "Race Films" -- Movies Especially Geared Toward Black Audiences.
For More Than Five Decades Cooper Had Been The Master Of Ceremonies For The Famous, Amateur Night At The Apollo, Which He First Created January 26, 1934.
For Many Black Singers, Dancers And Comedians, Amateur Night At The Apollo Was A "Rite Of Passage." The Event Provided A Platform For Them To Showcase And Develop Their Skills. Merciless Audiences Watched Artists Perform And Decided With Applause Or Boos, If They Were Winners Of Losers.
The List Of Performers Who Have Participated In The World Famous Talent Show Is Impressive And Includes: Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, James Brown, Diana Ross Supremes, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Michael Jackson (As Part Of The Jackson 5), Patti LaBelle, Marvin Gaye, Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Ben E. King, Mariah Carey, The Isley Brothers, Lauryn Hill And Sarah Vaughan.
"In Order For Black History To Live, We Must Continue To Breathe Life Into It." -- Hubert Gaddy, Jr.
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You would have a video of this famous Apollo Theater MC, would you? I'd love to see him in action, because it's hard to imagine someone other than Sin Bad and Steve Harvey doin' the show.
Tuesday, August 10th 2010 at 2:29AM
Jen Fad
