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To "increase the possibilities" of what the Apollo Theater can be, a roster of stars including Bill Cosby, Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, Eric Clapton and Ray Charles came to the legendary Harlem theater last night to raise funds as it settles into its new role as a non-profit institution.
"I grew up on this stage," said Robinson, who along with The Miracles made his professional debut on the Apollo stage in 1958 with Ray Charles. Calling the Apollo the "granddaddy" of a national circuit of theaters where black performers appeared before the era of integration, he said that it is the responsibility of artists such as himself to now help the theater.
"That's why I'm here," he said. "The Apollo is still here and, at all...