silverchild said:

I'm just cracking up at this. Cocaine is a helluva drug! R.I.P. to both Don and Rick.

I LOVED Rick James, miss him and his creative spirit, and hope that he's resting peacefully. But sometimes he was just... . Don looks like he's sorry he invited Rick on the show, lol. I once knew a guy back in the day that used to try SO HARD to be like Rick James. He tried so hard that sometimes I think he thought he was Rick James. Sadly, the only part he really got right was the ASSHOLE part. May God rest both their souls, but sometimes Rick was just a jerk.

PDogz said:

silverchild said:

I'm just cracking up at this. Cocaine is a helluva drug! R.I.P. to both Don and Rick.

I LOVED Rick James, miss him and his creative spirit, and hope that he's resting peacefully. But sometimes he was just... . Don looks like he's sorry he invited Rick on the show, lol. I once knew a guy back in the day that used to try SO HARD to be like Rick James. He tried so hard that sometimes I think he thought he was Rick James. Sadly, the only part he really got right was the ASSHOLE part. May God rest both their souls, but sometimes Rick was just a jerk.

Rick James was a free spirit. He was the life of the party(with a lil powder help).Nothing wrong with that. Don has dealt with worse than that. Which is why he handled it so well. R.I.P. Don & Rick

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

PDogz said:

I LOVED Rick James, miss him and his creative spirit, and hope that he's resting peacefully. But sometimes he was just... . Don looks like he's sorry he invited Rick on the show, lol. I once knew a guy back in the day that used to try SO HARD to be like Rick James. He tried so hard that sometimes I think he thought he was Rick James. Sadly, the only part he really got right was the ASSHOLE part. May God rest both their souls, but sometimes Rick was just a jerk.

Rick James was a free spirit.

No doubt about that.

I'm still mad they ain't aired "The Salute to Rick James" yet. I bet that was a wild one...

Not to go too far off topic but what was James Brown thinking with the PCP thing? (If it's true.)

That sounds like a In Living Color Skit. "James Brown on PCP."

Maceo! Maceo Hit Me!

(Roadie) "Mr. Brown you're in a room by yourself. Maceo isn't here."

"Zabba zee zabba za. Hey! I said Maceo hit me. (Hand Signal) $50."

How does one hang out with Nixon one minute and doing that the next. Were he and Elvis trying to get favor from the Government in case they got caught with their medicine?

Prince and EWF never did Soul Train (Correct me if I'm wrong on EWF) during their "Heyday". I believe they were both managed by Bob Cavello, Joe Ruffalo and Steven Fargnoli.

So maybe at the time that was part of the whole "crossover" campaign.

[Edited 2/5/12 10:23am]

carlcranshaw said:

Not to go too far off topic but what was James Brown thinking with the PCP thing? (If it's true.)

That sounds like a In Living Color Skit. "James Brown on PCP."

Maceo! Maceo Hit Me!

(Roadie) "Mr. Brown you're in a room by yourself. Maceo isn't here."

"Zabba zee zabba za. Hey! I said Maceo hit me. (Hand Signal) $50."

How does one hang out with Nixon one minute and doing that the next. Were he and Elvis trying to get favor from the Government in case they got caught with their medicine?

Prince and EWF never did Soul Train (Correct me if I'm wrong on EWF) during their "Heyday". I believe they were both managed by Bob Cavello, Joe Ruffalo and Steven Fargnoli.

So maybe at the time that was part of the whole "crossover" campaign.

[Edited 2/5/12 10:23am]

Yeah EWF never did Soul Train in their heyday. Tina also never was on the show after she found solo success. I don't even know if Soul Train even played her post-Ike solo stuff especially the Private Dancer material. Maybe they did and I didn't notice. They always seemed to play Prince and EWF though.

Also the PCP thing, yeah, it makes you wonder... James at least probably performed onstage without it. But I could tell the PCP thing did affect him a bit around this time or was starting to. This is also the same time that the IRS started to breathe down his neck so he was starting to become paranoid. I don't think he appeared on Soul Train again after 1974. Oddly enough I googled something about "James Brown cocaine" and saw his former cape man Danny Ray arrested in 2009 on crack charges. That shocked me!

Timmy84 said:

Also the PCP thing, yeah, it makes you wonder... James at least probably performed onstage without it. But I could tell the PCP thing did affect him a bit around this time or was starting to. This is also the same time that the IRS started to breathe down his neck so he was starting to become paranoid. I don't think he appeared on Soul Train again after 1974. Oddly enough I googled something about "James Brown cocaine" and saw his former cape man Danny Ray arrested in 2009 on crack charges. That shocked me!

Sorry to hear that. I know in the music business drugs are everywhere and people are always trying to slip you something.

It's sad to imagine Mr. Ray in that condition. "Man, I just need one little hit. I'll even blank your blank..... and I'll put this cape on you while I do it."

But seriously, it's sad to hear all of this with Don and the stuff that happens in showbiz.

carlcranshaw said:

Timmy84 said:

Also the PCP thing, yeah, it makes you wonder... James at least probably performed onstage without it. But I could tell the PCP thing did affect him a bit around this time or was starting to. This is also the same time that the IRS started to breathe down his neck so he was starting to become paranoid. I don't think he appeared on Soul Train again after 1974. Oddly enough I googled something about "James Brown cocaine" and saw his former cape man Danny Ray arrested in 2009 on crack charges. That shocked me!

Sorry to hear that. I know in the music business drugs are everywhere and people are always trying to slip you something.

It's sad to imagine Mr. Ray in that condition. "Man, I just need one little hit. I'll even blank your blank..... and I'll put this cape on you while I do it."

But seriously, it's sad to hear all of this with Don and the stuff that happens in showbiz.

I doubt anyone is really happy. Show business is a monster, man. It can either make you or break you, even a self-made pioneer like Don Cornelius couldn't quite escape the pain that usually comes with life. Hearing about his health issues, his legal issues and his fallout from fame, it's really all in the same. The unfortunate part is that it seems like it's a curse. I guess Don felt the only way he was gonna find peace was to end it all. Life is HARD.

Mr. Don Cornelius created "greatness" within his self in that his genius and courage shined as the music and culture he sent out to the television universe touched so many all over the world.

i wish i could've been there. NY

Link: "Soul Train" flash mob tribute to Don Cornelius - New York

i also wish he knew how much he was/is loved in our collective memories.

[Edited 2/5/12 12:16pm]

OK, it's official, Soul Train 1975 is my favorite theme just based off the extended version!

Don, Dick Griffey and Gene Page were geniuses... RIP to Don and Dick.

Timmy84 said:

OK, it's official, Soul Train 1975 is my favorite theme just based off the extended version!

Don, Dick Griffey and Gene Page were geniuses... RIP to Don and Dick.

Gotta agree

HuMpThAnG said:

Timmy84 said:

OK, it's official, Soul Train 1975 is my favorite theme just based off the extended version!

Don, Dick Griffey and Gene Page were geniuses... RIP to Don and Dick.

Gotta agree

And I also love the extended 1976 version ("Get On Board")! Honestly Don and Dick wrote the best themes of the show, my God! (Yeah above Gamble & Huff and O'Bryan lol). But then again, I love ALL the themes of Soul Train even the last one. It's just groovy.

HuMpThAnG said:

Lemme guess: 1969?

(here's the story that goes with the video pos #340).

'Soul Train' Flash Mob Hits Times Square to Honor Don Cornelius

http://www.billboard.com/...8752.story

by Chris Hawley, AP | February 04, 2012 9:55 EST

Fans of "Soul Train" boogied down Broadway wearing afro wigs and bell bottoms on Saturday while others recounted their favorite episodes at a Harlem meeting hall in tribute to the show's late creator, Don Cornelius.

About 100 dancers descended on Times Square in a "flash mob" organized through the Internet. As startled tourists looked on, they recreated one of the show's "Soul Train lines" in which people would take turns dancing toward a TV camera while showing off their most outrageous moves.

click on2 Link: "Soul Train" flash mob tribute to Don Cornelius - New York

"Don Cornelius was a big influence in my life, and I just wanted to pay tribute," said disc jockey Jon Quick, as he held up a speaker blasting disco grooves. "He was playing the music that nobody else wanted to play. He was an amazing man."

But on Saturday fans praised Cornelius' vision in creating, hosting and selling "Soul Train" to television stations that were originally skeptical about programming aimed at blacks. The show aired from 1971 to 2006.

"Don Cornelius brought soul to the whole world," said Ramona Hamm, 37, who came to Times Square with her 9-year-old daughter, Kayla Charles. The dancers bounced down Broadway for about 45 minutes until police told the party to disperse.

once again, i would have loved to dance down the soul train line in NY! thx New Yorkers.

[Edited 2/5/12 22:23pm]

Timmy84 said:

Paris9748430 said:

If you're in Chicago, there's a Soul Train Marathon on WCIU Channel 26 until Midnight.g

I wonder if they're airing the local 1969-1970 shows...

It's my understand those tapes from the Chicago Soul Train were either destroyed, misplaced, or stolen. I think the year Mr. Cornelius was elected to TV Hall Of Fame (based in Chicago) he said, he hoped it was the latter. He and others have searched high and low for those tapes.

Here's link about the Chicago edition of "Soul Train"... it was a lil' different than the nationally sydnicated show. Soul Train Local

TD3 said:

Timmy84 said:

I wonder if they're airing the local 1969-1970 shows...

It's my understand those tapes from the Chicago Soul Train were either destroyed, misplaced, or stolen. I think the year Mr. Cornelius was elected to TV Hall Of Fame (based in Chicago) he said, he hoped it was the latter. He and others have searched high and low for those tapes.

Here's link about the Chicago edition of "Soul Train"... it was a lil' different than the nationally sydnicated show. Soul Train Local

Hmm I think I did read up on that... the link's invalid.

Timmy84 said:

TD3 said:

It's my understand those tapes from the Chicago Soul Train were either destroyed, misplaced, or stolen. I think the year Mr. Cornelius was elected to TV Hall Of Fame (based in Chicago) he said, he hoped it was the latter. He and others have searched high and low for those tapes.

Here's link about the Chicago edition of "Soul Train"... it was a lil' different than the nationally sydnicated show. Soul Train Local

Hmm I think I did read up on that... the link's invalid.

Here's the site, I'm not sure why my links aren't working as of late.

http://www.chicagoreader....id=1106014

The show was really a low, low, low budget affair it probably got taped over the next day. At the begining some major stars / solo performered, but Chicago Soul Train bascially showcased bands, groups, and singers from the greater Chicago Metro area. That is when the show wasn't doing other types of features.

TD3 said:

Timmy84 said:

Hmm I think I did read up on that... the link's invalid.

Here's the site, I'm not sure why my links aren't working as of late.

http://www.chicagoreader....id=1106014

The show was really a low, low, low budget affair it probably got taped over the next day. At the begining some major stars / solo performered, but Chicago Soul Train bascially showcased bands, groups, and singers from the greater Chicago Metro area. That is when the show wasn't doing other types of features.

Thanks, that article is a fascinating look back at the show's very early years.

Timmy84 said:

HuMpThAnG said:

Lemme guess: 1969?

According to the video title, it was the same year, 1970, before ST got it start....

HuMpThAnG said:

Timmy84 said:

Lemme guess: 1969?

According to the video title, it was the same year, 1970, before ST got it start....

Hmm, yeah it makes sense. TV was still mainly black and white with only a few "color" shows in 1970. Especially if one was using those old ass TVs with antennas lol I'm sure when Soul Train was national, those who couldn't afford color TVs would resort to using the black and white's. It's also interesting from what TD3 stated about Don being more adapt to wearing trendier threads when he was hosting Soul Train in Chicago. I guess when he arrived to Los Angeles, he felt suits would be more appropriate but his suits were actually flamboyant until late 1974 lol and then he cut his Afro lower.

Timmy84 said:

HuMpThAnG said:

According to the video title, it was the same year, 1970, before ST got it start....

Hmm, yeah it makes sense. TV was still mainly black and white with only a few "color" shows in 1970. Especially if one was using those old ass TVs with antennas lol I'm sure when Soul Train was national, those who couldn't afford color TVs would resort to using the black and white's. It's also interesting from what TD3 stated about Don being more adapt to wearing trendier threads when he was hosting Soul Train in Chicago. I guess when he arrived to Los Angeles, he felt suits would be more appropriate but his suits were actually flamboyant until late 1974 lol and then he cut his Afro lower.

Well the article mentioned it... but very true. It didn't matter cuz the show was in black & white, Mr. Cornelius could've worn polka dots and strips and no one would be the wiser. Thinking back as always its interesting how history and timing play a part in change. Prior to the assasination of Dr. King African- Americans were no where to be seen or national or local TV media. That's not entirely true, Blues and Gospel shows on Sundays were a mainstay in Chicago. The area of "serious news" or community programing as we saw in the clip was unheard of until after King was murdered. So in most instances those pioneers in TV came from Black press/ radio or were literally pulled from off the street and given a chance in TV.

By the way Clinton Ghent is the really short guy in the Jungle Boogie Soul Train line.

TD3 said:

Timmy84 said:

Hmm, yeah it makes sense. TV was still mainly black and white with only a few "color" shows in 1970. Especially if one was using those old ass TVs with antennas lol I'm sure when Soul Train was national, those who couldn't afford color TVs would resort to using the black and white's. It's also interesting from what TD3 stated about Don being more adapt to wearing trendier threads when he was hosting Soul Train in Chicago. I guess when he arrived to Los Angeles, he felt suits would be more appropriate but his suits were actually flamboyant until late 1974 lol and then he cut his Afro lower.

Well the article mentioned it... but very true. It didn't matter cuz the show was in black & white, Mr. Cornelius could've worn polka dots and strips and no one would be the wiser. Thinking back as always its interesting how history and timing play a part in change. Prior to the assasination of Dr. King African- Americans were no where to be seen or national or local TV media. That's not entirely true, Blues and Gospel shows on Sundays were a mainstay in Chicago. The area of "serious news" or community programing as we saw in the clip was unheard of until after King was murdered. So in most instances those pioneers in TV came from Black press/ radio or were literally pulled from off the street and given a chance in TV.

By the way Clinton Ghent is the really short guy in the Jungle Boogie Soul Train line.

That's right

Jubilee Showcase every Sunday morning

Timmy84 said:

HuMpThAnG said:

I remember seeing The Chi-Lites, 100 Proof Aged In Soul, Tyrone Davis, & Leroy Hutson on there.

A funny thing happen one time when Syl Johnson was on there & his record keep jumpin & scratchin, while performing

But he was a good sport

So you see, they didn't even have pre-tape song, they brought in the actual record.

Very generic back then

Surprise I remember that

Wow, little is known about Soul Train's real early years. I think it was said Don started Soul Train in 1968 or somewhere around then. I've saw some vintage (maybe late '60s) Soul Train photos and Don's hair wasn't even a Fro yet. Least it wasn't processed.

Actually, the Detroit Free Press writer did a really nice article about Mr. Cornelius.

She wrote that Soul Train actually started as Cornelius being a DJ and dj-ing high school dances; and he would go from high school to high schoo. Then he was able to convince a local TV station to have the kids go the the station for the show...

and that was the start of "Soul Train".

Pretty cool... a "why didn't I think of that" moment.

[Edited 2/6/12 18:45pm]

prodigalfan said:

Timmy84 said:

Wow, little is known about Soul Train's real early years. I think it was said Don started Soul Train in 1968 or somewhere around then. I've saw some vintage (maybe late '60s) Soul Train photos and Don's hair wasn't even a Fro yet. Least it wasn't processed.

Actually, the Detroit Free Press writer did a really nice article about Mr. Cornelius.

She wrote that Soul Train actually started as Cornelius being a DJ and dj-ing high school dances; and he would go from high school to high schoo. Then he was able to convince a local TV station to have the kids go the the station for the show...

and that was the start of "Soul Train".

Pretty cool... a "why didn't I think of that" moment.

[Edited 2/6/12 18:45pm]

Damn! That is pretty cool.

you can add your condolences here: http://www.tributes.com/c...69#3536528

http://www.blackchristian...ry-13.html

— "Part of every person's soul who grew up on Soul Train died with him... On his tombstone should read his immortal words: 'I'm Don Cornelius, and as always in parting, we wish you love, peace and soul!'" — The Rev. Jesse Jackson.

— "Don Cornelius was a pioneer & a trailblazer. He was the first African-American to create, produce, host & more importantly OWN his own show." — Earvin "Magic" Johnson.

— "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.'" — Aretha Franklin.

— "We all have a great debt. His work in the 60s and 70s helped us to see, again, that human beings, we're more alike than we were unalike and the music and the people he showed allowed us to see. Showed us how the music, the gifts of the African American, to this country and to the world were great gifts and belonged to everybody all the time." — Maya Angelou.

- RIP the peerless Don Cornelius. Awesomely funky Soul Train was my first exposure to MUSIC. Thank you Don" — musician Tom Morello of "Rage Against the Machine" and "Audioslave."

— "I am shocked and deeply saddened at the sudden passing of my friend, colleague, and business partner Don Cornelius. Don was a visionary pioneer and a giant in our business. 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." — Quincy Jones.

— "The Soul Train legacy will show you how great this man was. And Soul Train became such a great icon, not only did black people want to be on Soul Train, but you had Elton John, you had The Bee Gees, you had ever white artists wanting to be on. Soul Train became the thing to do. Don Cornelius didn't do pop artists the way that a lot of the shows did black artists; he included everybody on his show." — songwriter Kenny Gamble.

— "I have known him since I was19-years-old and James Brown had me speak on 'Soul Train.' He brought soul music and dance to the world in a way that it had never been shown and he was a cultural game changer on a global level." — The Rev. Al Sharpton.

- "So sad! A great guy & happy memories from Solid Gold & StarSearch: (hash)RIP" — Robin Leach.

— "Don Cornelius was simply a genius and the contributions he made to music and our culture are second to none. I will always treasure the fond memories I have of working with Don over the years and being part of the history that he created through Soul Train. He will truly be missed and my heart and prayers go out to his family." — Patti LaBelle.

- "R.I.P. Don Cornelius. The man who brought soul to the train and love to so many." — actor David Boreanaz.

— "Next to Berry Gordy, Don Cornelius was hands down the MOST crucial non-political figure to emerge from the civil rights era post 68. the craziest most radical thing of all is I don't even consider Soul Train his most radical statement. Yes the idea of the young black teenager NOT mired in legal trouble on the 6 o'clock news getting camera time was a new idea to most.so of course the fact the U.S. really got its first vicarious look at our culture was amazing. But the TRUE stroke of genius in my opinion was how Don managed to show US how important we were. Which was NOT an easy task." — ?uestlove of The Roots.

— "RIP Don Cornelius. LOVE PEACE AND SOOOOUUULLLL 4eva" — Snoop Dogg.

___ "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." — musician Billy Corgan of "Smashing Pumpkins.

— "Really sorry to hear the news about Don Cornelius. He was quite the maverick in his time. Soul Train had a tremendous impact. Sad." — Slash.

— "R.I.P Mr. Don Cornelius thank you for leaving behind a legacy of Soul. You gave so many a chance to be seen and heard." — Ledisi.

— "Sad to hear of passing of Don Cornelius, creator of Soul Train. He was a super nice man. Had many nice talks w/ him at the golf range. RIP" — comedian Jon Lovitz.

note: the posted site has some beautiful words and memories

[Edited 2/6/12 21:03pm]