10 Apollo Theater Performances That Changed R&B Forever

The Apollo Theater didn't just launch careers. It decided who got to have one. From James Brown betting his own money on a live album nobody wanted, to a 13-year-old Lauryn Hill getting booed off the very stage that made the Jackson 5 famous 20 years earlier, this is the untold human story behind 10 legendary R&B performances at the world's most unforgiving stage. Rejection. Addiction. Betrayal. Redemption. And one ending so devastating it closes the circle 44 years in the making. Featured in this video: 10. Sam and Dave – "Soul Man" (1967) 9. Etta James – "At Last" (1961) 8. The Temptations – "My Girl" (1965) 7. Jackie Wilson – "Higher and Higher" (1967) 6. Aretha Franklin – "Respect" (1967) 5. Smokey Robinson and the Miracles – "Shop Around" (1960) 4. Teddy Pendergrass – "Turn Off the Lights" (1979) 3. The Jackson 5 – "I Want You Back" (1969) 2. Marvin Gaye – "What's Going On" (1971) James Brown – "Please, Please, Please" / Live at the Apollo (1962) If you love digging past the hits to find the real story behind the music, this channel is for you. New soul and R&B history videos every week, subscribe so you don't miss the next one. Which entry hit you the hardest? Drop it in the comments. #RnBWonders #ApolloTheater #RnBHistory #SoulMusic #JamesBrown #MarvinGaye #ArethaFranklin #JacksonFive #MotownHistory #ClassicSoul #BlackMusicHistory #SoulMusicHistory #RnBLegends #musicdocumentary