The Apollo Theater is known for the legendary performers who launched their careers there, so it’s only fitting that the world famous venue is the site of a four-week legends concert series, which premieres on the OWN network tonight.
Gladys Knight will kick off the series, called Legends: OWN at the Apollo, performing hits spanning her six decade career, including a special performance of “I’ve Got to Use My Imagination” with her brother and Pip, Merald “Bubba” Knight Jr.
For Knight, performing on the Apollo stage was a homecoming that brought back fond memories of her early days performing with the Pips.
“During that time, the mic used to come up out of the floor, scared the Pips to death,” she joked during the show, which was taped at the Harlem theater in August.
Knight will share the stage with the Yolanda Adams as well as Stevie Wonder and Dionne Warwick for a performance of “That’s What Friends Are For.”
Smokey Robinson, whose career also spans six decades, was thrilled to be among the legends chosen for the concert series.
“I’m always happy to do anything for OWN. That’s Oprah’s network and I love her,” the Detroit native said. “They chose me and I’m flattered by that.”
Like Knight, Robinson started his career performing at the 125th St. theater with the Miracles.
“I grew up here at the Apollo Theater and I always enjoy coming back here,” Robinson, 75, told TheGrio.com before his performance.
“The Apollo was the proving ground and the stepping stone for almost every black artist you can think of, dating back to Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Count Basie, Harry Belafonte, Sammy Davis and Jackie Wilson,” he said. “When you play at the Apollo it’s a wonderful experience.”
Today, Robinson says he’s just enjoying all kinds of music.
“You may catch me listening to [Johann Sebastian] Bach or you might catch me listening to Nelly and everybody in between. I love music,” he said.
Robinson’s appreciation for today’s music showed when he invited Joss Stone on the stage to sing, “Who’s Lovin’ You,” which he wrote 55 years ago for his group, the Miracles.
Ronald and Ernie Isley of the Isley Brothers, who have been performing for seven decades, and Earth, Wind and Fire will also perform on the concert series.
Tune in to Legends: OWN at the Apollo on Saturdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on OWN.
(Gladys Knight, 10/24; Smokey Robinson, 10/31; The Isley Brothers, 11/7; and Earth, Wind and Fire; 11/14.)
Michael J. Feeney is an award-winning journalist, public speaker. Follow him on Twitter @mfeeney