The Eighties

In 1981, Percy Sutton’s Inner City Broadcasting Corporation and a group of private investors purchase the Apollo Theater. The Apollo receives state and city landmark status as Harlem’s oldest functioning theater in 1983.
On May 5th, 1985 the Apollo’s renovation is celebrated with a 50th Anniversary grand reopening and television special, “Motown Salutes the Apollo.” Amateur Night is re-launched on Christmas Eve that same year.
Showtime at the Apollo is revived and launched as a television show.