
By BRETT ZONGKER Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) Michael Jackson's fedora, Ella Fitzgerald's dress and Louis Armstrong's trumpet are together in Washington to celebrate New York's Apollo Theater that helped make these stars shine.
The Smithsonian's not-yet-built black history museum is bringing Harlem to the nation's capital with the first exhibit focused on the Apollo and its impact. It opens Friday at the National Museum of American History.
The late King of Pop won the theater's Amateur Night as a youngster in 1967 with the Jackson Five. Fitzgerald debuted on Amateur Night at age 17. Many other top names also were frequent performers.
Singer and actress Leslie Uggams toured the exhibit Tuesday, recalling the start of her career at the Apollo. She debuted at age 9 and soon was appearing in 29 shows a week.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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