"Soul Train" Creator Found Dead in Apparent Suicide

FUSE TV - "Soul Train" Creator Found Dead in Apparent Suicide

Don Cornelius, the founder and host of revered music show Soul Train, was found dead in Los Angeles this morning of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The 75-year-old was found around 4 a.m., with authorities stating there was no sign of foul play.

Cornelius began his career as a journalist, but is best known as the creator and host of Soul Train, the popular and influential show that ran from 1971-2006. The show was the first to bring soul, funk and disco to a nationally televised audience and introduced countless superstars to the masses; its list of guest stars a who's who of the past 40 years of music. 

When it started in 1971, the show gave African American teenagers their first chance to see their favorite artists on television before becoming one of the country's biggest musical variety shows. Hard as it is to imagine, but names like James Brown, Marvin Gaye and Curtis Mayfield don’t just become legends; it was shows like Soul Train that gave them a national platform for their music.

In a 2010 interview with the L.A. Times, Cornelius discussed the show’s impact. “That was the period when soul music grew up,” he said. “When we started, we were the only program that a certain genre of artist could get exposure on.”

The impresario hosted the show until 1993, with the show itself ending in 2006. In recent years, Cornelius extended the show’s brand with events like the Soul Train Music Awards, produced annually since 1987.

Cornelius' baritone voice, smooth demeanor and impeccable fashion became cornerstones of the show, with the host's sign-off, "As always in parting, we wish you love, peace... and SOUL!" becoming a national catchphrase.

Discover—or relive—your favorite Soul Train moments in the video below and in our 10 Favorite Soul Train Moments. Let us know your favorite memories of Don and the show in the comments below.

Salt in My Soul

1h 28m

Salt in My Soul

Salsa Soul Mates

22m

Salsa Soul Mates

Soul Food Pop-Up

20m

Soul Food Pop-Up

It’s Soul Food

20m

It’s Soul Food

Sensitivity Training: G-Thing

1m

Sensitivity Training: G-Thing

Sensitivity Training: G-Thing

57s

Sensitivity Training: G-Thing

Free The Robots Reveals Where He Found One of His Rarest Records

1m

Free The Robots Reveals Where He Found One of His Rarest Records

Moving In

41m

Moving In

Punching In

45m

Punching In

Poetry in Falsetto

21m

Poetry in Falsetto

Back In Time

22m

Back In Time

Get In Formation

20m

Get In Formation

Trouble In Paradise

21m

Trouble In Paradise

Lawyer In Lust

44m

Lawyer In Lust

Up in Smoke

24m

Up in Smoke

Hot In Hollywood

22m

Hot In Hollywood

Christmas in Carolina

1h 11m

Christmas in Carolina

Leitis in Waiting

1h 5m

Leitis in Waiting

Rae in LA

20m

Rae in LA

Lost In Paradise

21m

Lost In Paradise

Drama In Paradise

22m

Drama In Paradise

Sleepless in North Hollywood

23m

Sleepless in North Hollywood

All in the Family

20m

All in the Family

Out in the Ring

1h 43m

Out in the Ring

Eminem: Count Me In

3657s

Eminem: Count Me In

Tension In The Tenderloin

20m

Tension In The Tenderloin

No Christmas In India

21m

No Christmas In India

New Girl In Town

22m

New Girl In Town

Chaos In The Cage

44m

Chaos In The Cage

In Football We Trust

1h 25m

In Football We Trust

What's In Your Fridge: Dumbfoundead

2m

What's In Your Fridge: Dumbfoundead

What's In Your Fridge: Tinashe

1m

What's In Your Fridge: Tinashe

Out in the Ring - Trailer

2m

Out in the Ring - Trailer

In Football We Trust - Trailer

2m

In Football We Trust - Trailer

What's In Your Fridge: Smino

1m

What's In Your Fridge: Smino

Diva’s Day In Court

20m

Diva’s Day In Court

Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong

1h 3m

Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong

Cher: Life in the Spotlight

56m

Cher: Life in the Spotlight

1 Night in San Diego

1h 23m

1 Night in San Diego

The Beatles: In the Life

1h 2m

The Beatles: In the Life

In Memory Of Mascot Man

18m

In Memory Of Mascot Man

What's In Your Fridge: Joyce Wrice

2m

What's In Your Fridge: Joyce Wrice

What's In Your Fridge: Maria Isabel

1m

What's In Your Fridge: Maria Isabel

What's In Your Fridge: Guapdad 4000

1m

What's In Your Fridge: Guapdad 4000

Plenty Of Fish In The Street

20m

Plenty Of Fish In The Street

Smoothini Schools Iggy Azalea In Magic

2m

Smoothini Schools Iggy Azalea In Magic

Diet In A Day Dani Leigh

51s

Diet In A Day Dani Leigh

Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong - Trailer

2m

Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong - Trailer

1 Night in San Diego - Trailer

1m

1 Night in San Diego - Trailer

Brunch In The Castro: Deleted Scene

2m

Brunch In The Castro: Deleted Scene

Lost In Translation - Aight, So Boom

2m

Lost In Translation - Aight, So Boom

Bon Jovi: No End in Sight

47m

Bon Jovi: No End in Sight

What's In Your Fridge: G-Eazy

57s

What's In Your Fridge: G-Eazy

Big Trouble In Little Chinese Restaurant

9m

Big Trouble In Little Chinese Restaurant

What's In Your Fridge: DaniLeigh

56s

What's In Your Fridge: DaniLeigh

What's In Your Fridge: Omar Apollo

1m

What's In Your Fridge: Omar Apollo

Transcendent Season 2 Starts In June!

1m

Transcendent Season 2 Starts In June!

Diet In A Day G-Easy

54s

Diet In A Day G-Easy

In Your B.A.S.E.

22m

In Your B.A.S.E.

What's In Your Fridge: Dave East

2m

What's In Your Fridge: Dave East

Love In The Time Of Pandademic

20m

Love In The Time Of Pandademic

OMG... We're in a Horror Movie

1h 38m

OMG... We're in a Horror Movie

The Ladies Play "Fill In The Blanks"

1m

The Ladies Play "Fill In The Blanks"

Dipset in the Building Minus Cam'ron

3m

Dipset in the Building Minus Cam'ron

What's In Your Fridge: A$AP Ferg

2m

What's In Your Fridge: A$AP Ferg

Is There Cultural Appropriation In Plastic Surgery?

17m

Is There Cultural Appropriation In Plastic Surgery?

The First Time, In A Long Time

20m

The First Time, In A Long Time

T-Pain's Wild Night in London: Sneak Peak

2m

T-Pain's Wild Night in London: Sneak Peak

Don't Swear In Front of The Song

21m

Don't Swear In Front of The Song

Out With The Old, In With The New

20m

Out With The Old, In With The New

Fluffy Devours Fresh Baked Kurdish Carbs in Nashville

2m

Fluffy Devours Fresh Baked Kurdish Carbs in Nashville

Comedians React to Unbelievably Strange Laws in the US

6m

Comedians React to Unbelievably Strange Laws in the US

Rogelio Shows His Acting Prowess In 'The Dark Military'

55s

Rogelio Shows His Acting Prowess In 'The Dark Military'

Mole Chilaquiles in Los Angeles: Fluffly Off the Menu

2m

Mole Chilaquiles in Los Angeles: Fluffly Off the Menu

Bacon Wrapped Bacon in Harlem: Fluffly Off the Menu

2m

Bacon Wrapped Bacon in Harlem: Fluffly Off the Menu

Keeping Your Girls The Girls In Check: G-Thing

2m

Keeping Your Girls The Girls In Check: G-Thing

J Balvin Plays 2 Truths and a Lie In Español

1m

J Balvin Plays 2 Truths and a Lie In Español

Crispy Maple Chicken Donuts in Atlanta: Fluffy Off the Menu

2m

Crispy Maple Chicken Donuts in Atlanta: Fluffy Off the Menu

Indian Hot Chicken Pakora in Nashville: Fluffy Off the Menu

2m

Indian Hot Chicken Pakora in Nashville: Fluffy Off the Menu

Deviled Duck Eggs in D.C.: Fluffy Off the Menu

2m

Deviled Duck Eggs in D.C.: Fluffy Off the Menu

Damon Wayans Jr. Winds Up In A Naked Family Feud

9m

Damon Wayans Jr. Winds Up In A Naked Family Feud

Tina Serves Up Sass In "Me and You" Music Video

3m

Tina Serves Up Sass In "Me and You" Music Video

Fluffy's Hot Spots Ep. 2: Museums and Milkshakes in D.C.

1m

Fluffy's Hot Spots Ep. 2: Museums and Milkshakes in D.C.

Dwayne Johnson and The Blue Devils Break It Down In Hawaii

3m

Dwayne Johnson and The Blue Devils Break It Down In Hawaii

What The Hell Are We? Are We Living In A Simulation?

18m

What The Hell Are We? Are We Living In A Simulation?

Fluffy's Hot Spots Ep. 6: Beads and Voodoo In New Orleans

1m

Fluffy's Hot Spots Ep. 6: Beads and Voodoo In New Orleans

Hollywood Puppet Sh!tshow: Amanda Cerny's Run-in With the Bulls

3m

Hollywood Puppet Sh!tshow: Amanda Cerny's Run-in With the Bulls

Fluffy's Hot Spots Ep. 4: Find History and 'Magic' in Atlanta

1m

Fluffy's Hot Spots Ep. 4: Find History and 'Magic' in Atlanta

King Keraun Falls Into a Sunken Place While in the Woods

2m

King Keraun Falls Into a Sunken Place While in the Woods

A Day In the Life of Wilmer Valderrama's Puppet Ep. 2: Optimism

1m

A Day In the Life of Wilmer Valderrama's Puppet Ep. 2: Optimism

Clash of the Corps Drummers Step Up and Show Out in Rhythm

1m

Clash of the Corps Drummers Step Up and Show Out in Rhythm

Fluffy's Hot Spots Ep. 5: Honky-Tonks and Johnny Cash in Nashville

1m

Fluffy's Hot Spots Ep. 5: Honky-Tonks and Johnny Cash in Nashville

Ian Sings His Heart Out in "Starts With You Baby" Music Video

3m

Ian Sings His Heart Out in "Starts With You Baby" Music Video

What Does The Transcendent Star Look For In A Man: Dear Bambiana

1m

What Does The Transcendent Star Look For In A Man: Dear Bambiana

Mr. Thing's Vinyl Collection

14m

Mr. Thing's Vinyl Collection

Whitney Houston: As I Am

53m

Whitney Houston: As I Am

Got to Be in it To Win it: America's Obsession with the Lottery

2m

Got to Be in it To Win it: America's Obsession with the Lottery

A Day In the Life of Wilmer Valderrama's Puppet Ep. 1: Hollow Man

1m

A Day In the Life of Wilmer Valderrama's Puppet Ep. 1: Hollow Man

A Day In the Life of Wilmer Valderrama's Puppet Ep. 3: Inner Thoughts

1m

A Day In the Life of Wilmer Valderrama's Puppet Ep. 3: Inner Thoughts

Fluffy's Hot Spots Ep. 1: Go-Karts and Barbershop Cocktails in Los Angeles

1m

Fluffy's Hot Spots Ep. 1: Go-Karts and Barbershop Cocktails in Los Angeles