In our present day world of YouTube, Vevo and a wireless Universe of audio, video and written word, I find it all too easy to forget the days when we looked to Soul Train for what was sometimes our first look at that new artist or band moving up the R&B charts. In fact, one of the first shows I really was excited to view with our home’s first color TV was Soul Train. The fact that any syndicated show could run for over 35 years is a testament to the relevance, demand and need for Soul Train.
Regardless of the reason a legendary figure in his middle 70’s would choose to take his own life, what’s hard to deal with is how such a sad end could come to a man who brought so much joy to so many.
Don Cornelius saw a need and filled it. He did not have the backing of television networks and millionaires as his rival Dick Clark and American Bandstand did with ABC behind them. Cornelius started his show with Black hair products and worked his way up to larger sponsors like McDonalds. In fact, given the little he had to work with, his contributions surpassed many others who received more fame and popularity.
While a proud, confident person, perhaps Don Cornelius didn’t know how gifted a marking guru he was. I remember as a child going to visit relatives and always seeing a Soul Train 8 Track, cassette or CD representing a specific year or “best of” compilation from the show. And Don’s features including the World Famous “Soul Train Line” or “Scrabble Board” helped influence our culture ranging from high school dances to the fashion industry.
Soul Train was also “all inclusive”. In the early 70’s as the Civil Rights struggles of the 60’s were just beginning to cool, Cornelius welcomed people of all colors including artists ranging from KC & The Sunshine Band to Elton John. As long as Black people were “grooving” to it, you’d find it on Soul Train. Cornelius’ Soul Train also was among the very first entertainment media to embrace hip-hop, welcoming artists who were considered by others to be a “fad”. Cornelius also occasionally featured young, African American comedians helping to launch the careers of non-musical talents including Arsenio Hall.
As for artists old and new; just about everyone in R&B over the age of 40 has Don Cornelius to thank. From Prince, to Rick James, to Jody Watley, Atlantic Starr to New Edition, if you wanted to be seen as well as heard; Soul Train was the “You Tube” of the 70’s, 80’s and much of the 90’s. And when MTV wouldn’t air videos by Black Artists when it launched in 1980, Soul Train “chugged along” capturing R&B lovers of all races across the globe.
Don Cornelius was born Donald Cortez Cornelius in Chicago on September 27th 1936. After high school he served 18 months in Korea as a U.S. Marine. After fulfilling his duties, Cornelius returned home to Chicago holding numerous jobs ranging from selling automobiles to a stint as a Chicago Police Officer. After taking a broadcasting course, Cornelius landed a job at Chicago station WVON where he served as a DJ and news announcer. Soul Train began as a local TV show fulfilling Don’s dream to have a “soul review” where artists of color could showcase their music. Don served as host eventually syndicating his show Nation-wide in 1971. Soul Train made history as the longest running syndicated TV show ending in 2006.
Don Cornelius’ legacy will live on through an unmatched archive of music and memories spanning almost 40 years. Finally, Don Cornelius may rest knowing he is now receiving the recognition and appreciation in death that seemed to elude him in life.