R.I.P. Don Cornelius

[malaise]

<snip>
Don Cornelius, creator of Soul Train was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound in his Sherman Oaks, Calif. apartment early Wednesday morning. He was 75.

I loved Soul Train
<snip>
NEW YORK (AP) — In an era when Beyonce and Jay-Z are music royalty, when Barack Obama is the nation's chief executive, and when black stars in the cast of a TV show are commonplace, it may be hard to grasp the magnitude of what Don Cornelius created once he got his "Soul Train" rolling.

Yes, the syndicated series delivered the music of Earth Wind & Fire, the Jacksons, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder into America's households, infusing them with soul in weekly doses. Yes, it gave viewers groovy dances and Afro-envy, helping get them hip to a funky world that many had never experienced, or maybe even suspected.

But it was more than that. Before BET would give African-Americans their own channel, and before black music and faces found their way to MTV videos as well as network dramas and comedies, "Soul Train" became a pioneering outlet for a culture whose access to television was strictly limited.

"Most of what we get credit for is people saying, 'I learned how to dance from watching "Soul Train" back in the day,'" Cornelius told Vibe magazine in 2006. "But what I take credit for is that there were no black television commercials to speak of before 'Soul Train.' There were few black faces in those ads before 'Soul Train.'

"And what I am most proud of," he added, "is that we made television history."

"Soul Train" (which went on for 35 seasons) didn't make history just by influencing the music charts. It served as a pop-culture preview and barometer of fashion, hairstyles and urban patois.
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Don Cornelius was one of the great pioneers!!

[Warpy]

1. He was. I could never stand to watch American Bandstand

or any of the other white bread knockoffs, but I do remember watching Soul Train for the dancing and fashion. It was great for that.

I'm sorry Cornelius came to the sad end of suicide but I'm glad his pain is over. RIP.

[malaise]

2. He had several medical issues

Sad end but it must be better than non-stop pain

[hfojvt]

3. great sign off

I wish you peace. I wish you love. I wish you soul.

[malaise]

6. Yes indeed

[yellerpup]

4. He was a great man whose influence

helped break barriers and bring people together with music. So much to love! So sorry he's gone.

[11 Bravo]

5. Peace, Love, and Soul to you, Don.

[blogslut]

7. Goodbye, Sir.

You were a most important and beneficial addition to our modern world.

[Are_grits_groceries]

8. RIP Don Cornelius!

There will be Soul Train Dance lines in Heaven!

My feet sure had no soul. I could dance with the best in my mind. I was also a champion chair dancer!