Ralph Cooper 2d recounted the way Amateur Night worked.

Ralph Cooper 2d left for the Apollo Theater from his West 43d Street apartment at 5:45 on show night.

After the curtain fell, Ralph Cooper 2d gave out a yawn and mopped his brow.

In 1934, it introduced its regular Amateur Night shows hosted by Ralph Cooper.

His son, Ralph Cooper 2nd, took over the show after his father was hospitalized with cancer.

"Ralph Cooper always believed the show had to go on," Mr. Thompson said.

"Ralph Cooper is gone, but his rich and vibrant legacy remains," the Mayor said.

During that week, one of the members got into a fight with the owner of the Apollo, Ralph Cooper.

Copyright@ 14 January 2000, Ralph Cooper; revised: 13 October 2009.

He succeeds Ralph Cooper, who is retiring.