Apollo Records was a notable record label founded in 1944 in New York City by Hy Siegel and Ted Gottlieb, later sold to Ike and Bess Berman in 1945. The label was named after the Apollo Theater in Harlem, reflecting its close connection to the vibrant African American music scene. Apollo was known for a diverse range of genres, including blues, gospel, jazz, doo-wop, and early rock and roll.
In its early years, Apollo’s product line included a variety of genres. The 300 series featured rhythm and blues and jazz artists, while the 100 series started with a variety of genres, later shifting exclusively to gospel. Apollo made a significant mark with its gospel catalog, particularly with Mahalia Jackson, who became the label’s most successful artist after her hit “Move On Up a Little Higher” in 1948. Apollo also recorded prominent artists like Dinah Washington and Wynonie Harris before they found fame elsewhere.
During its peak from 1948 to 1952, Apollo became one of the leading gospel labels and also made notable contributions to the doo-wop genre. Bess Berman, recognizing the popularity of vocal groups like The Orioles, rebranded the Selah Jubilee Singers as The Larks, a successful doo-wop group. However, despite its early successes, Apollo began to decline in the mid-1950s as key artists left for other labels and legal issues arose. The label shifted focus from 78 rpm records to 45s, but its popularity waned.
By 1962, Apollo ceased operations, and its catalog was largely reissued by other companies in the following decades. Despite the label’s closure, Apollo’s legacy, particularly in gospel and doo-wop music, has been preserved through reissues and compilations. The Apollo Records Collection is housed at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Apollo Records Discography
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