R.I.P. Don Cornelius – Soul Train Host
Just this morning at 4 a.m. Pacific time, authorities have reported that Don Cornelius was found dead at his Mulholland Drive home from an apparent suicide. He was taken to the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center where he was pronounced dead from a gunshot wound to the head. He was 75.
Don Cornelius was the face of the TV show Soul Train that ruled the roost with the latest R&B, Soul & Funk music , as well as the latest funky dances. The show ran on TV starting in 1971 and continued running until 2006.
Legendary producer Quincy Jones was quoted as saying, “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.”
He will be greatly, greatly missed. His contributions to music will be felt for generations to come. There’s no measurement in how much impact he has had on many artists careers. We are very saddened by this news.
There’s this black guy that’s Forever in the crowd at Rockefeller Plaza during the Today show. I switch it on and the kids and that i always yell “SuperFly!!!!” once we spot him. I make reference to him as Don Cornelius.