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.