February 1, 2012

Tributes are pouring in for Don Cornelius, the man who introduced millions of Americans to black music and culture with the groundbreaking TV program Soul Train. The 75-year-old died earlier today.

"Don was a visionary pioneer and a giant in our business," said Quincy Jones. "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. My heart goes out to Don's family and loved ones."

Aretha Franklin called Cornelius an "American treasure", and said "God bless him for the solid good and wholesome foundation he provided for young adults worldwide . and the unity and brotherhood he singlehandedly brought about with his most memorable creation of Soul Train."

Cornelius started Soul Train in Chicago in 1970 as a showcase for black musicians. The TV show was syndicated in 1971, and while it did not initially reach many markets, it eventually became a national phenomenon in the U.S., where black popular culture had not previously had a prominent platform. Soul Train became a must-watch program for millions of Americans, who tuned in to watch Cornelius lead a musical variety program featuring the latest fashions, dance moves, hairstyles and, of course, music from black America. The show introduced such now-legendary performers as James Brown, Franklin and Stevie Wonder to a whole new audience, and helped make black culture part of the American mainstream.

The show ran until 2006, and spawned countless spinoffs, imitators and homages, from the Soul Train awards to MTV to Soul Plane. The Soul Train dance line, in which people line up as dancers show their moves, was one of the show's mainstays.

Police responded to reports of a shooting at Cornelius's Los Angeles home at 4 a.m., where they found his body, dead from a gunshot wound. The L.A. coroner's office is considering the case a suicide.

Reaction to the news of Cornelius's death was widespread on Twitter as well.

?uestlove of The Roots said "140 characters can't do justice 2 #DonCornelius impact," and directed followers to an essay he wrote about Cornelius.

A Tribe Called Quest's Q-Tip wrote "When I did soul train ill never 4get Don Cornelius came 2 me after rehearsal n said "you are a star! A giant!" No don u R! RIP"

Here are some other tweets dedicated to the Soul Train creator:

Snoop Dogg @SnoopDogg
RIP Don Cornelius. LOVE PEACE AND SOOOOUUULLLL 4eva

Talib Kweli @TalibKweli
RIP the legend Don Cornelius. Soul Train was a huge part of my saturday mornings growing up.

Flea of Red Hot Chili Peppers @flea333
ahhhh don cornelius, i loved that guy, so much great music i saw through him R.I.P. bless his soul

Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins @Billy
Sad to hear about the passing of Don Cornelius of Soul Train fame. Grateful to him that he turned me on to so much great music.

Ice Cube @icecube
Rest in Peace, Love & Soul...Don Cornelius

According to Agence France-Presse, Cornelius had a troubled marriage later in life, and when he divorced his wife in 2009, he told a judge that he had "significant health issues" and wanted to "finalize this divorce before I die."

Here is a clip from the heyday of Soul Train in 1974, with Don Cornelius introducing the legendary dance line:

And interviewing James Brown on the set of Soul Train in 1974:

Cornelius interviewing Run DMC in 1984:

Sources:

CBS

The New York Times

AFP, via National Post

Related Stories on Strombo.com:

R.I.P. Etta James

Architectural Appreciation With Ice Cube