Deceased soul singer Etta James and R&B superstar Lionel Richie will be inducted into the Apollo Theater's Legends Hall of Fame this year, according to an announement Thursday from the Harlem venue's management.  Richie performed at the Apollo in the 1970s as a member of Motown favorites The Commodores before establishing himself as a successful solo artist with hits like "Hello," "Endless Love," and "All Night Long." 

James, meanwhile, influenced countless artists from multiple genres with a career that spanned 55 years.  The singer first performed at the Apollo in 1957 and was a fixture at the theater thoughout the 60s.  James' last album, "The Dreamer," hit stores just three months before she passed away on January 20th at the age of 73.

James and Richie will be inducted into the Apollo's Hall of Fame in a ceremony held at the venue on June 4th, joining past legends such as Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson and Patti Labelle.