Don Cornelius, creator of long-running musical variety show Soul Train, has died at age 75 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, reports the New York Times. Police found Cornelius’ body at his Los Angeles home on Mulholland Drive early this morning. After officers responded to a report of a shooting, the television producer was officially pronounced dead at 4:56 a.m. at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, said Los Angeles County Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter.
Chicago native Cornelius launched Soul Train in his home town as a local program, but by the following year, the pioneering series, which primarily showcased soul and R&B music, had gone national. Soul Train aired in syndication for 35 years, from 1971 to 2006, with Cornelius hosting until 1993.
Don Cornelius introduces “the fabulous Aretha Franklin” on Soul Train in 1973
“There was not programming that targeted any particular ethnicity,” Cornelius said in a 2006 interview. “I’m trying to use euphemisms here, trying to avoid saying there was no television for black folks, which they knew was for them.”
Heavy D And The Boyz perform on Soul Train in 1988
In 1987, the Soul Train Music Awards spun off from the popular series. Rapper Heavy D, who died in 2011, was honored at last year’s ceremony.
Personal strife appeared to plague Cornelius in recent years. In October 2008, he was arrested at his Los Angeles home on a felony domestic violence charge and released on bail. Though his wife Victoria Avila-Cornelius had filed restraining orders against him, he initially pleaded not guilty to spousal abuse. In 2009, Cornelius changed his plea to no contest and was placed on probation for 36 months.
“I am shocked and deeply saddened at the sudden passing of my friend, colleague, and business partner Don Cornelius,” Quincy Jones told the New York Times today. “Don was a visionary pioneer and a giant in our business. Before MTV there was Soul Train, that will be the great legacy of Don Cornelius. His contributions to television, music and our culture as a whole will never be matched.”
Do you have a special memory about Soul Train, or a favorite guest? Let us know below, or by hitting us up on Twitter and Facebook.
Don, thanks for the effortless cool you taken to our lives. Go along with God and strut down the Soul Train Line while using angels.
When I was growing up, Saturday failed to BEGIN until “Soul Train” came for the air! I’m not sure what personal hell drove one to take your own life, Brother Don, but realize that you were–and always will be–loved and revered in my house FOREVER! Love, Peace, and SOUL!
Watching American Bandstand,then Soul Train on Saturday mornings and dancing like happy epileptics was a great way to start the weekend. It was always from a slumber party with a friend or cousin’s house. Aretha Franklin singing “Rock Steady” is the first one I remember-I involved five and would hula-hoop like Alvin on speed. Does anyone remember “the Bump”? The Afro-Sheen commercials were so fly. Even if Don Cornelius’s funeral is totally private,I expect there will be a memorial/tribute show for him. Singers ought to be those who is capable of doing with dignity.It will be best to have people who appeared on Soul Train during its peak years. Any ideas,hussies?
Can’t hear that song without dancing.Drowning in middle-aged nostalgia here, as Soul Train was an earlier childhood show for me.I was also believing that the 70s were the peak years for Soul Train. Mavis Staples,Gladys Knight,etc.If Don Cornelius had died in New Orleans,he’d get yourself a jazz funeral with all the Rebirth Brass Band playing “I Seem like Funking it Up” entirely back in the cemetary.
It’s my job to thought Soul Train sucked because ALL of the performers Were required to lip sync. My parents accustomed to watch Solid Gold and if i was bored I would watch that mess. But, I thought Arsenio was funny-ish.
When I was maturing, Saturday didn’t BEGIN until “Soul Train” came on the air! I’m not sure what personal hell drove you to definitely take your own personal life, Brother Don, but are aware that you were–and always will be–loved and revered inside my house FOREVER! Love, Peace, and SOUL!