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DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty ImagesOn Wednesday, the world famous Apollo Theater announced plans for a tribute to late music icon Prince as part of its 11th Annual Spring Gala, which is its biggest fundraising event of the year. The LL Cool J-hosted event will take place June 13.
“The Apollo family was of course, devastated to hear about the loss of Prince,” Apollo President & CEO Jonelle Procope said in a statement. “He is, hands down, one of the greatest artists of all time — an absolute genius — and his relationship with the Apollo dates back to 1993. Over the years, we’ve been honored to host him, whether for a seminal New York performance or as a guest in our audience, so we are beyond thrilled to kick off this year’s Spring Gala by inducting him into the Apollo Walk of Fame.”
The late music icon, who died on April 21 at age 57, joins previous Apollo Walk of Fame inductees including Chaka Khan, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Quincy Jones, Patti LaBelle, Smokey Robinson, James Brown, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Little Richard and Ella Fitzgerald. Inductees are honored with a plaque installed under the Theater’s iconic marquee on 125th Street in New York City.
Prince, himself, attended the gala in the past, most notably during LaBelle’s 2009 honor, which he presented with Mariah Carey.
Legendary R&B group The O’Jays and rising stars Leon Bridges and Andra Day are scheduled to perform during the event.
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