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  4. Don Cornelius

With the creation of Soul Train, Cornelius was at the helm of a program that showed African Americans in a new light, creating a Black is Beautiful Campaign. Originally a journalist and inspired by the civil rights movement, Cornelius recognized that in the late 1960s there were very few television venues in the United States for soul music

Born Donald Cortez Cornelius
September 27, 1936
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Died February 1, 2012
Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Cause of death Suicide by gunshot
Residence Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Education DuSable High School
Occupation Television host, producer
Years active 1966–2012
Home town Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Spouse(s) Delores Harrison
(m. 1956; div. ????)
Viktoria Chapman
(m. 2001; div. 2009)
Children 2


 

pdfSoul Train

pdfDon Cornelius

 

As writer, producer, and host of Soul Train, Cornelius was instrumental in offering wider exposure to black musicians such as James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and Michael Jackson, as well as creating opportunities for talented dancers, setting a precedent for popular television dance programs. Cornelius said, "We had a show that kids gravitated to," and Spike Lee described the program as an "urban music time capsule".

Cornelius closed the show each week with the phrase, “And you can bet your last money, it’s all gonna be a stone gas, honey! I’m Don Cornelius, and as always in parting, we wish you love, peace and soul!”

The Soul Train Music Awards, which honor the best in black music and entertainment, were created in 1987 and are broadcast annually on the BET TV channel.


 

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