Billie Holiday, one of the most influential jazz singers of her time, died in 1959. During her life, she performed at the famed Apollo Theater in Harlem several times in the flesh and thanks to modern technology, she will be able to perform again. The theater is working with Hologram USA to bring her to life again.
The Apollo and Hologram USA signed a two-year deal, making the theater the only place in New York to use the technology. The staff at the theater told the New York Times that it will use the technology to add to daytime programming on history and education.
The Holiday estate has approved of the use of her recordings to go with the hologram. Holiday performed at the Apollo almost 30 times, beginning at age 19. She also would have turned 100 this year and was just inducted into the Apollo Hall of Fame.
Apollo president Jonelle Procope told the Times that it will also be an interactive presentation. “Billie is going to be able to talk about the history of the Apollo,” Procope said. “She can take questions from the audience in an interesting way. She can sing some songs.”
There’s also hope that the technology could be used in the future to help bring to life iconic performances at the Apollo, including James Brown’s famous 1962 show.
Hologram USA also has deals with other estates to bring deceased celebrities back from the dead to perform. Granted, it is a bit weird to see the dead rise again, but at least they aren’t out to eat your brain.