- In full:
- Donald Cortez Cornelius
- Born:
- September 27, 1936, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
- Died:
- February 1, 2012, Los Angeles, California (aged 75)
Don Cornelius
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Who was Don Cornelius?
Don Cornelius (1936–2012) was an American television host and producer, most famous for creating, producing, and hosting the music and dance television show Soul Train. The show, which premiered in Chicago in 1970, moved to national syndication in 1971 and ran until 2006, becoming one of the longest-running syndicated programs in American television history. Soul Train showcased up-and-coming musicians, many of whom gained their first national exposure on the show, and also featured youthful African American fashions, hairstyles, and dance moves. Cornelius retired as host in 1993 but continued as producer until 2006. He closed every episode with his signature sign-off: "We wish you love, peace, and soul."
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What was Don Cornelius best known for?
Don Cornelius was best known for creating, producing, and hosting the music and dance television show Soul Train from 1970 to 2006. Soul Train was the first American music variety show to prominently feature African American musical acts and dancers. The show highlighted up-and-coming musicians, many of whom gained their first national exposure on the show, and also showcased youthful African American fashions, hairstyles, and dance moves. Cornelius maintained control of Soul Train until his death and also produced several successful annual specials, including the Soul Train Music Awards.
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What was the TV show 'Soul Train,' and what was Don Cornelius's role in it?
Soul Train was an American music variety television program that premiered in 1970 in Chicago and was broadcast nationally from 1971 to 2006. It was the first show to prominently feature African American musical acts and dancers. Soul Train showcased many up-and-coming musicians and youthful African American fashions, hairstyles, and dance moves.
Don Cornelius created, produced, and hosted Soul Train. In 1967, Cornelius hosted A Black’s View of the News on Chicago station WCIU. He promoted concerts and dance parties called "The Soul Train". Cornelius used his own funds to create a pilot for Soul Train, which debuted in Chicago in 1970. Cornelius retired as host in 1993 but continued to produce the show until 2006.
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How did 'Soul Train' impact American music and culture?
Soul Train, created by Don Cornelius, significantly impacted American music and culture by showcasing African American musical acts, dance, and fashion. Debuting in Chicago in 1970, the show gained national syndication in 1971 and became one of American television's longest-running syndicated programs.
Soul Train mirrored a dance club environment, featuring both noted musical performers and amateur dancers. The show gave national exposure to many influential musicians, including Michael Jackson, Prince, Aretha Franklin, and James Brown. Soul Train also introduced the "Soul Train Line" dance. By presenting Black culture as upbeat and vibrant, the show attracted diverse viewers and boosted African Americans' prestige in mainstream America.
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What made Don Cornelius's work important for African American artists?
Don Cornelius's Soul Train was important for African American artists because it was the first music-variety TV show to prominently feature Black musical acts and dancers. Soul Train mirrored a dance club environment and showcased soul music and funk artists, reflecting their rising popularity. The show gave national exposure to many influential musicians, such as Michael Jackson, Prince, Aretha Franklin, and James Brown. By presenting Black culture as upbeat and vibrant, Soul Train helped grow the prestige of African Americans in mainstream America.
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How is Don Cornelius remembered and honored today?
Don Cornelius, the creator of Soul Train, is remembered for his significant contribution to Black culture in mainstream America. Soul Train, which he produced and hosted, was the first nationally syndicated music variety show to prominently feature African American musical acts and dancers. The show provided national exposure to many influential musicians, such as Michael Jackson, Prince, and Aretha Franklin. Cornelius produced the Soul Train Music Awards from 1987 to 2007. Soul Train was commemorated in the 2010 television documentary, Soul Train: The Hippest Trip in America.
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Don Cornelius (born September 27, 1936, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.—died February 1, 2012, Los Angeles, California) was an American television host and producer best known for creating, producing, and hosting the music and dance television show Soul Train (1970–2006). The program featured up-and-coming musicians, many of whom gained their first national exposure on the show, and youthful African American fashions, hairstyles, and dance moves.
Early life
Cornelius was born in Chicago to Carter Cornelius, a postal service worker, and Thelma (née Booth) Cornelius, a homemaker. After graduating from DuSable High School in 1954, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps, serving in the Korean War for 18 months. He returned to Chicago in 1956 and worked several different jobs, from tire salesman to police officer.
Broadcasting career and Soul Train
Cornelius began his broadcasting career in 1966, working as a disc jockey, announcer, and news reporter for the radio station WVON. He moved on to television, hosting the news and sports program A Black’s View of the News on the Chicago station WCIU, starting in 1967. Additionally, he promoted a series of concerts and dance parties featuring Chicago-area musicians that toured local high schools—tours that he called “The Soul Train.” As these concerts became popular, Cornelius was able to convince WCIU that the dance-party concept would work well as a television show.
Cornelius used his own funds to create a pilot for the show, Soul Train, which was patterned after the popular teen television program American Bandstand (1952–89), which featured musicians and dancers performing to popular music. Soul Train debuted on August 17, 1970, in Chicago. The show featured young adults and teens dancing to hit soul music, rhythm-and-blues, and funk songs and performances by local musicians, such as the R&B quartet the Chi-Lites and the soul group the Emotions. It was produced in hour-long segments on weekday afternoons and became a local television hit. In 1971 Cornelius moved the show to Los Angeles, where it was broadcast nationally and began showcasing popular musical acts such as the R&B group Gladys Knight & the Pips and soul singer Eddie Kendricks. Soul Train brought national exposure to numerous influential musicians, including Michael Jackson, Prince, Aretha Franklin, and James Brown. The show also introduced a dance called the “Soul Train Line,” which featured two dancers strutting down the space together between two lines of dancers alongside, showcasing their best dance moves. Musical performers and dancers were the focus of Soul Train, and Cornelius served as its hip master of ceremonies, bringing style and dignity to the show and closing every episode with his signature sign-off: “We wish you love, peace, and soul.”
Cornelius retired as host of Soul Train in 1993 but continued to produce new installments until 2006. It was one of the longest-running syndicated programs in American television history. The show was commemorated in a 2010 television documentary, Soul Train: The Hippest Trip in America. Cornelius produced several successful annual specials, including the Soul Train Music Awards (1987–2007). In addition to his work on Soul Train, he appeared in films and television projects, including the musical comedy films Roadie (1980) and Tapeheads (1988) and the mockumentary television movie Jackie’s Back! (1999).
Cornelius suffered health and personal difficulties in his later years. He pleaded no contest to a charge of domestic violence in 2009, and he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in 2012.