A Legend in His Own Right
As a historian and tour guide, Billy Mitchell shares stories of the legendary Apollo Theater, including his own
When Billy Mitchell takes to the Apollo Theater stage, he's not singing or dancing. But he's as mesmerizing as they come.
On a Monday morning tour of the legendary Harlem institution in late October, about 50 people – including a group of college students studying hospitality and tourism management from New Jersey – listened attentively as Mitchell demonstrated his gift for storytelling. Whether talking about his days as a youngster running errands for the likes of James Brown and Marvin Gaye or instilling the importance of a good education, Mitchell's engaging presence is enough to get people of all ages to put their phones away for an hour. Yes, he is magical.
"People come from all over the world to tour the Apollo, and it's a beautiful thing."
"People come from all over the world to tour the Apollo, and it's a beautiful thing," Mitchell says. "Most people don't know the history of the Apollo; they look at us as just being Black culture, but we're a part of American culture. We are very proud of that."
A Legendary Theater
Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Billie Holiday, Lauryn Hill, H.E.R., Ella Fitzgerald, Luther Vandross, Jazmine Sullivan, Little Richard, the Supremes – the list truly seems endless – have all performed at the legendary Harlem theater. Throughout its 90 years, the institution has shown unwavering support for artists' careers – from up-and-comers to mega-stars – along with a commitment to education and advocacy.
As Apollo's in-house historian, tour guide and ambassador, Mitchell, 74, holds a wealth of knowledge, deservedly earning the name "Mr. Apollo." He began his relationship with the theater when he was 15, doing small tasks and errands for performers and staff when he wasn't at school, where he was bullied and struggled to pass his classes. That is until a couple of musicians took an interest in his future.
"I started meeting all the performers that came to the Apollo back in the day," Mitchell says. "There were two guys that would sit me down and tell me the importance of education. And they instilled in me that if you get a good education, then when you become an adult, that education will put you in a position to get yourself a good job, and you would never have to live the life that you and your family are living now."
"I wanted that so badly – I was in foster homes as a kid, we were evicted several times, and my mother struggled. I wanted that education because I wanted a better life. It was James Brown and Marvin Gaye who, when I finally graduated from high school, gave me some financing for my education. I went on to business school thanks to them."
After business school, Mitchell worked in the financial industry before returning to the Apollo in the '80s, where, over the years, he's done everything from producing the famed Amateur Night to marketing and security. In 1992, he started giving tours creating an opportunity for people to come up on stage, perform in a mock "Amateur Night," rub the Tree of Hope for luck, and get a close-up look at the Wall of Signature, the backstage walls signed by artists when they performed at the venue.
"We're not just being honored for the great culture, but the things we've been doing for 90 years."
"I went on tours at other venues, and some didn't allow you to be on the stage or go backstage," he says. "God forbid you get a chance to perform; that would never happen at certain venues. I decided that whatever they didn't offer, I would offer at the Apollo Theater.
"Everybody wants to be a star," continues Mitchell, who also has a theater background and counts Denzel Washington among his friends. "The kids have heard about Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber and Michael Jackson, who have all embraced this stage. So, when they come up on stage, I introduce them like they're big stars. The kids always have big smiles when I do that."
"I've had teachers tell me afterward that this kid is so laid back – I've never seen them act like this until you got them up on stage. It's inclusive, it makes them feel good, and they leave here with a whole new appreciation of what the Apollo Theater is all about."
A Milestone for the Apollo
On Dec. 8, the Apollo will become the first institution honored by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as part of its annual Kennedy Center Honors along with Francis Ford Coppola, the Grateful Dead, Bonnie Raitt and Arturo Sandoval at the Kennedy Center Opera House in Washington, D.C. The event airs on CBS and Paramount+ on Dec. 22.
"I'm extremely overjoyed that the Apollo was chosen," Mitchell says. "It's an honor that we're recognized for the work that we've done, all the people involved in that work, all the things we do in the community, and all the things that we do in education, internships and workshops for the youngsters. We're not just being honored for the great culture, but the things we've been doing for 90 years."
When asked to name one of his proudest Apollo moments, Mitchell doesn't hesitate. It was giving a private tour to Michelle Obama, along with her daughters and mother, when the Obamas were in the White House.
"I sang 'My Girl' with Michelle Obama up on this stage," he recalls as he sings a few familiar bars of the song. "We were on the stage singing, and I told her about my life. She told me I needed to write a book. And because I'm smart and I listen to women, I did – 'They Call Me Mr. Apollo.'"
His True Love
Mitchell says working at the Apollo is more than just a job for him, and he'll do it as long as he's able.
"I meet people that most people only dream about meeting," he says. "It means so much to be a part of this institution. I'm so fortunate. I wish everybody could see what I've seen at the Apollo."
While his Apollo memories hold a significant place in his heart, the true love of his life is Barbara, his wife of 39 years.
"It's a blessing growing old with her because a lot of our friends are either ill or they've transitioned, but we're still chugging along," he says. "We're in fairly good health, but the clock is also ticking. I don't want to be anywhere with anyone other than my wife until my eyes are closed and I never open them again. She means that much to me."
No doubt, Mitchell has touched many lives throughout his time at the Apollo and solidified his place in the storied institution's extraordinary history.
