NYC's Apollo unveils Walk of Fame

The Apollo Theatre in New York City's Harlem has unveiled a Walk of Fame with plaques to honour black artists such as Quincy Jones, James Brown and Ella Fitzgerald.

The landmark theatre in uptown Manhattan held a ceremony Monday morning as it uncovered the first plaques on 125th Street outside the theater.

The Apollo, built in 1914, is famed for its weekly Amateur Night that helped launch countless jazz, soul and blues artists. The late Fitzgerald was one of the first winners of the Amateur Night contest.

It has begun a project to record the history of those who came through its doors.

The first of the square bronze plaques honour entertainers who have been inducted into the Apollo Legends Hall of Fame, including Patti Labelle, Smokey Robinson and Michael Jackson.

Fans paid tribute to Jackson at the Apollo after his untimely death in 2009, and they also filed through to see the late King of Soul, James Brown in 2006.

Robinson, 70, issued a statement recalling how he got his start at the legendary theatre.

"I started out at the Apollo and it will always be a home to me," he said. "For me to have a plaque honouring me in front of the Apollo Theater is one of the proudest achievements in my life."

The Apollo plans to name new artists to its Walk of Fame annually.