Celebs Remember Soul Train's Don Cornelius

Questlove, Rihanna and more pay tribute to the late legend.

Questlove Endorses Obama - Drummer-producer Questlove has already hinted at his political leanings during the Roots' tenure as Jimmy Fallon's house band, accompanying Obama's hilarious take on "Slow Jam the News," and musically dissing Michele Bachmann. But he made his views clear in a video posted on the Obama campaign's website earlier this year: "[Obama] needs eight years to finish the mission and we need to have his back," Quest said. (Photo: Desiree Navarro/Getty Images)

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Questlove - A true fan of Soul Train. The Legendary Roots Crew drummer recently claimed he owned every episode of the hit Saturday morning music show on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen on Bravo. This morning when Questlove heard the news about Soul Train's creator and decades long conductor, he simply tweeted: "oh my god."(Photo: Desiree Navarro/Getty Images)

Quincy Jones: March 14 - The music legend and super producer celebrates his 79th birthday. (Photo: Jerod Harris/Getty Images)

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Quincy Jones - “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.”(Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images for Acura)

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Kevin Hart - @KevinHart4real: RIP Don Cornelius "Love Peace & Soul" Funny man Kevin Hart quoted Cornelius' signature sign off. (Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Rihanna - @rihanna: R.I.P Don C Rihanna kept it simple in her tweet about the passing of the late great TV personality. (Photo: Mark Davis/Getty Images)

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Rihanna - @rihanna: R.I.P Don C Rihanna kept it simple in her tweet about the passing of the late great TV personality. (Photo: Mark Davis/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Mark Davis/Getty Images

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Q-Tip - @QtipTheAbstract: When I did soul train ill never 4get Don Cornelius came 2 me after rehearsal n said "you are a star! A giant!" No don u R! RIP Rapper Q-Tip took to Twitter to recall his first meeting with Don Cornelius. (Photo: Joe Corrigan/Getty Images)

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Monica - @MonicaBrown: Mr.Cornelius u told me that few people possess that special something, well u were 1 of the few.U were beyond special❤ lockerz.com/s/179721885 Monica shares one of her personal conversations with Mr. Cornelius.(Photo: John Ricard / BET)

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Monica - @MonicaBrown: Mr.Cornelius u told me that few people possess that special something, well u were 1 of the few.U were beyond special❤ lockerz.com/s/179721885 Monica shares one of her personal conversations with Mr. Cornelius.(Photo: John Ricard / BET)

Russell Simmons ‏(@UncleRUSH) - TWEET: "RIP Adam Yauch. My thoughts... http://bit.ly/KlPHkO" (Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

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Russell Simmons - @UncleRUSH: sharing my thoughts on the passing of Don Cornelius. I loved that man >> bit.ly/zVOrpT Russell Simmons expressed his true feelings on Twitter.  (Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

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Rocsi Diaz - @rocsidiaz: #DonCornelius was such an icon to VJ's and TV host I can't believe he took his own life. Sad so many great ones leave the world like that.106 & Park host Rocsi expresses her sadness. (Photo: John Ricard / BET)

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Rocsi Diaz - @rocsidiaz: #DonCornelius was such an icon to VJ's and TV host I can't believe he took his own life. Sad so many great ones leave the world like that.106 & Park host Rocsi expresses her sadness. (Photo: John Ricard / BET)

Keri Hilson - @KeriHilson: Black music never looked so good. R.I.P. Don Cornelius. Keri Hilson was among those on Twitter who remembered Mr. Cornelius for his graceful and stylish approach. (Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

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Keri Hilson - @KeriHilson: Black music never looked so good. R.I.P. Don Cornelius. Keri Hilson was among those on Twitter who remembered Mr. Cornelius for his graceful and stylish approach. (Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

"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.'"(Photo by Brad Barket/PictureGroup)

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"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.'"(Photo by Brad Barket/PictureGroup)

Photo By Photo by Brad Barket/PictureGroup

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DJ Quik (@djquik)  - TWEET: “Kim Kardashian needs a new love of her life!” DJ Quik references the lead single "Love of My Life" off 2011 album Book of David, in response to news that Kim Kardaashian filed for divorce from husband of 72 days, Kris Humphries.  (Photo: David Livingston/Getty Images)

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DJ Quik - @djquik: Rest In Peace to Don Cornelius. We all grew up watching Soul Train. Respect.West coast hip hop icon DJ Quik pays respect to an icon who was an American idol to so many of today's stars.  (Photo: David Livingston/Getty Images)

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La La Vazquez - @lala: Sad and stunned about Don Cornelius. Praying for his family.. May he Rest In Peace....Another tweet from a heartbroken fan of the late great Don Cornelius. (Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)

Gladys Knight  - Seven years after her debut on Motown, Gladys Knight had the entire country dreaming of taking a midnight train to Georgia. In the years that followed, of course, the Atlanta native found herself on the express to superstardom, becoming one of the most iconic American singers ever to set foot on Peachtree Street.(Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

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Gladys Knight - “He’s the same person as he is on TV, he’s very laid back.  He always encouraged everyone to be themselves.  He opened doors for African American artists.  He was a pioneer and an unsung hero to the black community.  He also made soul a common word”(Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

Mya: October 10 - The sexy "Ghetto Superstar" singer celebrates her 34th birthday.  (Photo: Cindy Ord/Getty Images)

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MYA  - @MissMya: Condolences to the family, friends+ associates of Don Cornelius. So grateful4 his decades of innovative contribution to black music. R.I.P.(Photo: Cindy Ord/Getty Images) 

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Stevie Wonder - Stevie Wonder phoned into CNN and said he was both "shocked" and "heartbroken" to hear the news of Cornelius' death. Wonder went on to say,  "The first time I ever did 'Superstition' was on his show so it's a sad moment," said the funk-soul pioneer. "The two shows that I watched American Bandstand and Soul Train so it's a heartbreak for everyone.  Everyone of various ethnicities watched Soul Train…so it was a great thing."(Photo by Brad Barket/PictureGroup

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Stevie Wonder - Stevie Wonder phoned into CNN and said he was both "shocked" and "heartbroken" to hear the news of Cornelius' death. Wonder went on to say,  "The first time I ever did 'Superstition' was on his show so it's a sad moment," said the funk-soul pioneer. "The two shows that I watched American Bandstand and Soul Train so it's a heartbreak for everyone.  Everyone of various ethnicities watched Soul Train…so it was a great thing."(Photo by Brad Barket/PictureGroup

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Taraji P. Henson  - @TherealTaraji: OMG! Just heard Don Cornelius was found dead in his apartment from a self-inflicted gun shot wound! Lord have mercy! RIP Don Cornelius!   Actress Taraji P. Henson is shocked by the news of Mr. Cornelius' death. (Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

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Taraji P. Henson  - @TherealTaraji: OMG! Just heard Don Cornelius was found dead in his apartment from a self-inflicted gun shot wound! Lord have mercy! RIP Don Cornelius!   Actress Taraji P. Henson is shocked by the news of Mr. Cornelius' death. (Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ)  - TWEET: “People are cheering but there are really no winners here. This has been an utter tragedy from beginning to end. #RIPMichaelJackson” Minaj responds to the verdict in the Conrad Murray trial. (Photo: Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week)

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Nicki Minaj  - @NICKIMINAJ: R.I.P. Mr. Cornelius. (Photo: Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

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Nile Rodgers - @nilerodgers: Don Cornelius RIP - The 1st time I played Soul Train it changed my life! Thank you for creating a funkier more informed world. Musician Niles Rodgers tweeted a thankful message in honor of the late TV great.(Photo: Jemal Countess/Getty Images)

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Nile Rodgers - @nilerodgers: Don Cornelius RIP - The 1st time I played Soul Train it changed my life! Thank you for creating a funkier more informed world. Musician Niles Rodgers tweeted a thankful message in honor of the late TV great.(Photo: Jemal Countess/Getty Images)

LeVar Burton -  @levarburton: Don Cornelius brought the LOVE every week on TV. Rest in PEACE...Your SOUL will be missed!a. (Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

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LeVar Burton - @levarburton: Don Cornelius brought the LOVE every week on TV. Rest in PEACE...Your SOUL will be missed!a. (Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

Ginuwine - @Ginuwine: RIP Don Cornelius Someone who paved the way for black music I still remember my first time on soul train what an experience.R&B singer Ginuwine recalls his first performance on the Soul Train stage. (Photo: Moses Robinson/Getty Images)

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Ginuwine - @Ginuwine: RIP Don Cornelius Someone who paved the way for black music I still remember my first time on soul train what an experience.R&B singer Ginuwine recalls his first performance on the Soul Train stage. (Photo: Moses Robinson/Getty Images)

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Jam Master Jay Tribute (2003) - The 2003 BET Awards honored slain Run-DMC DJ Jam Master Jay with an all-star mix-off, which included Kid Capri, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Grandmaster Flash and DJ Premier, who opened the set with a scratch-tastic mix of the classics “Sucker MCs” and “Jam Master Jay.” (Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images)

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DJ Premier - @RealDJPremier: R.I.P. Don Cornelius! There will NEVER be another SOUL TRAIN! I'm so blessed that Gang Starr performed on the show 2 add 2 our Legacy.A thankful DJ Premier took to Twitter to pay respect to Don Cornelius. (Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images)

The In-Between - Not really an afro but not quite dreadlocks. Arsenio Hall couldn't make up his mind at the 8th Annual Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium August 8, 2002, in Pasadena, California. (Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

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Arsenio Hall - "Since the year I landed in this town…he has been one of my 'Hollywood mentors'…and loyal FRIEND!" the comic actor and erstwhile talk show host told E! News "There is NO soul in my bowl this morning!"(Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

D-Nice @djdnice - Tweet: "The news of Chris Kelly's death has me feeling numb. I didn't know him but I appreciated Kris Kross' contribution to HipHop." (Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Marc Jacobs)

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D-Nice - @djdnice: Before hip hop became mainstream, there weren't many platforms for us to display our talents. Thank you Don Cornelius & Soul Train.DJ D-Nice thanked Mr. Cornelius for creating a vehicle for Black music stars to reach the masses. (Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

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Patti LaBelle - "[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."(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Bilal - @Bilal: Deeply saddened to hear about the loss of Don Cornelius. He literally created the vehicle that took soul music... fb.me/1413B3msh   It was a sad day for Philly soulster Bilal. (Photo: Moses Robinson/Getty Images)

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Bilal - @Bilal: Deeply saddened to hear about the loss of Don Cornelius. He literally created the vehicle that took soul music... fb.me/1413B3msh   It was a sad day for Philly soulster Bilal. (Photo: Moses Robinson/Getty Images)

Maxwell: May 23 - The soulful singer-songwriter celebrates his 38th birthday. (Photo credit: Brad Barket/PictureGroup)

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Maxwell - @_MAXWELL_: Don Cornelius #RIP twitpic.com/8eeeit(Photo: Brad Barket/PictureGroup)

Photo By Photo: Brad Barket/PictureGroup