Don Cornelius, the producer and television host who created the dance show SOUL TRAIN, was found shot dead in his Los Angeles home early Wednesday morning in what appears to be a suicide, the Los Angeles Police Department and the county coroner’s office said. He was 75 years old. SOUL TRAIN was one of the longest-running syndicated shows in television history. One of the early dancers on SOUL TRAIN was Daytime Emmy winner Darnell Williams. Darnell left Los Angeles for New York in 1977 in hopes of landing a part in The Wiz. He didn't get that part, but quickly landed roles in some Off-Broadway shows and a national tour before landing on ALL MY CHILDREN.
Two decades later Shemar Moore would become the new host of SOUL TRAIN.
"My heart is heavy after hearing the news of Don's passing," the former YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS star told ET.
In honor of Mr. Cornelius and the impact he had on so many (including Darnell and Shemar), below are a couple of videos from the early days of SOUL TRAIN.
BET and CENTRIC will pay homage to SOUL TRAIN creator, executive producer and host Don Cornelius with a special lineup of programming dedicated to his prolific life and legacy. On tonight’s episode of 106 & PARK at 6:00 p.m.*, hosts Terrence J and Rocsi will honor the life and accomplishments of the SOUL TRAIN founder with a special vignette followed by the documentary SOUL TRAIN: HIPPEST TRIP IN AMERICA at 8:00 p.m.* In addition, CENTRIC, the flagship network for the SOUL TRAIN AWARDS, will run a special 24-hour marathon of classic SOUL TRAIN episodes beginning tonight at 12:00 a.m.*
“We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Don Cornelius. He was a pioneer in the television and music industries and his legacy and influence on American culture will continue to live on for many generations to come. He made Soul Train a destination for lovers of black culture and music and connected the world to our culture and we are forever grateful,” said Debra L. Lee, Chairman & CEO of BET Networks.
“We owe so much of our success to him, he built the space for the creation of a BET, built a platform for the music that our audience loves and gave a voice to countless artists that shaped black culture and beyond—his impact can't be measured. He will be missed, but remembered at every wedding, party and family reunion forever with the enduring Soul Train line.”
“Don Cornelius was the heart of SOUL TRAIN,” stated Paxton Baker, EVP & GM, Centric. “There were so many different things he affected through a one-hour television show that was nothing short of amazing. Much like BET and network founder Bob Johnson, Don Cornelius provided to Americans, African-Americans in particular, the opportunity to start working in this business in positions that were otherwise closed to them.”
BET Programming Lineup
Wednesday, February 1
6:00 p.m.* - 106 & PARK Special Episode
8:00 p.m.* - SOUL TRAIN: HIPPEST TRIP IN AMERICA
Thursday, February 2
8:00 p.m.* - SOUL TRAIN AWARDS 2011
CENTRIC Programming Lineup
Wednesday, February 1
10:00 p.m.* - SOUL TRAIN: HIPPEST TRIP IN AMERICA
12:00 a.m.* - 24-hour SOUL TRAIN Marathon
Thursday, February 2
24-hour SOUL TRAIN Marathon continues…
Friday, February 3
9:00 p.m.* - SOUL TRAIN AWARDS 2011
Saturday, February 4
10:00 a.m.* - 12-hour SOUL TRAIN Marathon
10:00 p.m.* - SOUL TRAIN AWARDS 2010
Sunday, February 5
9:00 a.m.* - 12-hour SOUL TRAIN Marathon
I saw that documentary on Soul Train about a year and a half, 2 years ago and it was really well done. They even paired it with classic commercials, the Afro Sheen commercials were a hoot. Don Cornelius was a pioneer who started the show with $400 of his money! I always wondered why, with a show that had such a lasting cultural impact, Don Cornelius never became as influential/big as Merv Griffin or Dick Clark??
ReplyDeleteThere's a wonderful video clip on YT of him dancing down the Soul Train Line with Mary Wilson of the Supremes. There's also a wonderful picture of him with Dr. Martin Luther King floating around on Twitter. Though this is a solemn occasion and a very solemn start to Black History Month, those images could still bring a smile to my face.
R.I.P. Mr. Cornelius.
OMG--RIP, Don!
ReplyDeleteBrian :-O