Ghost of Billie Holiday to Return to The Apollo

Billie Holiday is making an unexpected posthumous comeback in the 21st Century, thanks to the same technology which brought rapper Tupac Shakur back from the grave. A company out of Beverly Hills, Hologram USA, has taken up partnership with New York’s ever-famous Apollo Theater to bring Billie’s iconic presence back to life.

Billie, who was 19 at the time of her first performance, the Apollo was one of her favorite ‘haunts’, appearing some 30 times. She will now be a part of the permanent technology to be implemented at the theater. Much like her 1939 hit, Billie’s “Dream of Life” as the lyrics go, she really will be, “here to stay” this time!

According to Apollo president Jonelle Procope, “Billie is going to be able to talk about the history of the Apollo. She can take questions from the audience in an interesting way. She can sing some songs.”

Holiday, the first to be debuted, will be one of numerous hologram acts which will provide educational performances to supplement daytime show schedules.

The Apollo Theater is a neo-classical venue central to the Harlem Renaissance movement, although this wasn’t always the case. Established in 1914 as a burlesque venue, it wouldn’t be until 1934 that the theater would see its first African American performers and audiences. During its later history it launched the careers of people like James Brown, Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder. After numerous closures and re-openings of the establishment, it’s now managed by the private not-for-profit Apollo Theater Foundation, in-place to preserve the venue while managing, funding, and overseeing programs for the famous New York landmark.