Even as we mourn the tragic death of Don Cornelius, a new generation is discovering his remarkable musical legacy. Known as the “hippest trip in America,” Soul Train was a Saturday morning TV institution that quite literally changed American culture. As former Keith Sweat manager Vincent Davis puts it, “Soul Train showed us how to dance, how to dress and how to be cool."

For folks coming of age before BET, MTV or the Internet, Soul Train was one of the only ways to watch our favorite artists do their thing. Be it the balladry of Marvin Gaye, the Sugarhill Gang's early hip-hop, or the uncut funk of James Brown, the show gave its loyal audience access to a galaxy of stars they never would have seen otherwise.

The dancers were amazing, Don's deep-voiced interviews were like nothing else on TV, but at the end of the day, Soul Train was all about the music. With that in mind, we decided to count down Soul Train's ten most classic performances.

Written by Michael A. Gonzales (@gonzomike)

http://www.complex.com/mu...rformances

Complex seems to make some mistakes with the performance dates (Dancing Machine was released in '74 but the J5 performed it in late '73). And the James Brown one was NOT on Soul Train.

But here's my top ten ST performances:

1.) Al Green (1974) - honestly it was definitely one of the most emotional performances ever given on that show. He topped his previous appearances with this one even with a cast on his arm.

2.) James Brown (1972) - His 1974 show was good but the 1972 one was tighter. Even tighter: the audience shouting "I'm black and I'm proud!" back to him.

3.) Ike & Tina Turner (1972) - like James and Al, their performance was radiant and Tina and the Ikettes kicking ass as usual. Actually the first time I saw Ike playing something else besides guitar.

4.) The Jackson 5 (1973) - Michael doing the robot. That's all I need to say. And the ST audience really was grooving.

5.) Stevie Wonder (1972) - The "Superstition" performance felt like a music video with the camera going to every group of dancers while he's lipping.

6.) Marvin Gaye (1974) - The smooth operator of Motown, no question, and props for him for being the Player with the girls in the audience. Loved what he did three years later dancing with the audience but the 1974 performance holds something more dear.

7.) Luther Vandross (1982) - The performance of "A House Is Not a Home". That's all I'm gonna say.

8.) Aretha Franklin (1973) - The towering red 'Fro, the funky white outfit, and of course the singing.

9.) Rick James (1980) - Just for the fact that he was Rick James 100% on this one and didn't give a damn what Don thought lol

10.) The Isley Brothers (1974) - they did it all live and direct this time than they did in their two previous performances. I don't think the Isleys appeared on it again until 1996 but by then it wasn't The Isley Brothers.

(Bonus performances: The Supremes in 1973, David Bowie in 1975, Average White Band in 1975, the Jacksons in 1979, the Minnie Riperton tribute episode in 1979, Jermaine Jackson in 1980 - the crowd was on point during the Let's Get Serious part, Michael Jackson solo in 1973, Stevie Wonder in 1991, Heavy D & The Boyz in 1987, Teena Marie in 1980, The O'Jays in 1975)