New York, March 28 – It was quite a show celebrating the 70th anniversary of Harlem’s Apollo Theater. Music, comedy and dance performances by Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Ashanti, Natalie Cole, Tito Puente, Jr., Herbie Hancock, Harry Connick, Jr., Branford Marsalis and many others reminded us of just how influential the legendary Apollo has been: Ella Fitzgerald, Stevie Wonder, Billie Holiday, James Brown and the Jackson Five are some of the stars that launched careers at the theater’s amateur nights. Backstage, Denzel Washington embraced a star struck photographer; she told us his hands felt like butter. Also backstage, Ashanti was thrilled when she met Natalie Cole by chance; her face lit up as she introduced herself. You'll be able to see this in June, when Apollo Turns 70 will be broadcast on NBC.