Apollo Theatre to induct Jackson into Hall of Fame

The Apollo Theatre, the famed New York performance venue in Harlem, will induct Michael Jackson into its Hall of Famenext year, organizers announced on Tuesday.

The non-profit theatre will posthumously honour Jackson at a 2010 gala and install a plaque commemorating the entertainer in its forthcoming Walk of Fame.

After Jackson's death on June 25, the iconic theatre has been one of the sites where his fans gathered to honour his memory.

Owners of a property next door have donated a 30.5-metre-long exterior plywood wall on which fans plastered tributes to Jackson to the Apollo.

The theatre was a place for "fans from all over to express their memories, grief and condolences for the King of Pop," Apollo president Jonelle Procope said in a statement.

"The wall became a part of that tribute and is now truly a piece of history."

Other artists previously inducted into Apollo's Hall of Fame include James Brown, Smokey Robinson and Ella Fitzgerald.

Jackson was just nine years old when he made his debut singing at the Apollo with his brothers, as part of The Jackson 5.

They won the theatre's famed Amateur Night competition, which garnered them fans like Gladys Knight and helped launch the group to fame.