
SOUL TRAIN TV
Soul Train: The Hippest Trip in America.
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It all started way back in 1971 Soul Train on TV.
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When Soul Train was first nationally syndicated in October 1971, there was nothing else like it on TV. It was the iconic Black music and dance show, a party every weekend that anyone could join from their living room.
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Don Cornelius Vision
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Don Cornelius was born and raised in Chicago. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps and working a few different jobs, he took a broadcasting course and landed as a news announcer and DJ at a radio station in Chicago. Cornelius switched to TV in 1967, appearing on a program called A Black's View of the News. Three years later, he launched Soul Train as a daily show at WCIU-TV.
Don Cornelius was someone who kind of had an eye towards the streets, and so therefore he had a distinct understanding of the needs of Black folks.
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Soul Train had the hip factor, and mostly because Don was so hip.
You know, all of the '70s style, from the bell bottoms to the hats ... and then he had this baritone voice and he had the afro, which in the '70s was huge.
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Everyone knows his voice was just an immensely beautiful instrument....
He always had the same gravitas, and he always seemed to imagine that this is what he was going to do.
He's a businessman. And that's what I've seen and what I've known when he says anything, he means it and he wants it done.
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After only a year, Soul Train started securing sponsorships, moved to Los Angeles and expanded into national syndication on October 2, 1971. Don Cornelius became one of the first Black men to own and produce a nationally syndicated franchise. By the end of the first couple of years, it was airing in more than 25 markets, and it continued growing.
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As it was approaching syndication, for it to be on this precipice of something, you know, maybe not beyond Cornelius wildest dreams, but certainly probably beyond what his initial imagination was, the temptation is, "Well, I got ta make this as big as possible." But the prudent thing is what he did, which is to say, "How can I keep this mine?"
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āāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāFor 35 years, "Soul Train" took America on a rhythmic ride, celebrating black culture, music, and dance. Debuting in 1970 as a local Chicago show, it quickly became a national phenomenon, shaping the way generations perceived the black community on television.
The brainchild of Don Cornelius, "Soul Train" was a response to the misrepresentation of black America in the media.
Cornelius, a Korean War veteran and former Chicago policeman, wanted to create a platform that celebrated black talent authentically. He pitched the concept as the "American Bandstand of colour" to WCIU, becoming one of the first African Americans to create, own, and produce their own TV show.
Cornelius's charisma and deep, smooth voice made him the perfect host for the "hippest trip in America." His oversized ties, spectacles, and iconic sign-off catchphrase, "love, peace, and soul," became synonymous with the show.
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At a time when African Americans were rarely seen on TV, "Soul Train" provided a positive portrayal of black culture. The show featured a mix of professional and amateur dancers, creating a dynamic and inclusive environment that mirrored the energy of a dance club.
The Soul Train line, a segment where dancers stood opposite each other, created a channel for couples to dance down, became an iconic component. Dancers brought their flair with moves like popping, locking, ticking, and whacking forms that later influenced hip hop, voguing, and breakdancing styles.
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"Soul Train" featured legendary guests like Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Al Green, , The Jackson 5 and Chairmen of the Board to name a few.
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The show's popularity peaked during the 1970s. Despite facing competition from newer platforms in the 80s, "Soul Train" continued to thrive, adapting to newer genres like hip hop.
Cornelius stepped down in 1993. His mentorship launched numerous careers in the entertainment industry, and "Soul Train" continued for another 13 years under different conductors.
Don Cornelius passed away in 2012. However, the show's legacy has been immortalized in the drama series "American Soul," offering a glimpse into Cornelius's entrepreneurial spirit and the cultural impact of "Soul Train."
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āāāSoul Train was an American Musical Variety Television Show.
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In its 35-year history, the show primarily featured performances by R&B, soul, and hip hop artists. The series was created by Don Cornelius, who also served as its first and longest-serving host and executive producer.
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After airing locally on WCIU-TV in Chicago, Illinois, for a year, it aired in syndication from October 2, 1971, to March 25, 2006.
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Production was suspended following the 2005–2006 season.
In May 2008, Cornelius sold the rights to the Soul Train library to MadVision Entertainment, whose principal partners came from the entertainment and publishing fields. The price and terms of the deal were not disclosed.
However, by the start of the 2008–09 television season, the Tribune Broadcasting-owned stations (including national carrier WGN America) that had been the linchpin of the show's syndication efforts dropped the program, and many others followed suit.
Soul Train's website acknowledged that the program had ceased distribution on September 22, 2008.
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āCornelius with The Staple Singers in 1974
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See also
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āList of Soul Train episodes
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List of people who appeared on Soul Train
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