The legendary TV personality Don Cornelius was born in Chicago on Sept. 27, 1936. Before hosting Soul Train, which spent more than 30 years on the air, Cornelius got his start filling in as a substitute DJ and on-air personality at a radio station.

Cornelius later switched from radio to television and became a sports anchor and the host of A Black’s View of the News on WCIU. He soon pitched the idea for a music television show catered to African-American artists to the station.

With $400 of his own money, Cornelius created the pilot for Soul Train, which was inspired by Dick Clark's American Bandstand. The show premiered on Aug. 17, 1970, and became nationally syndicated the following the year. During its 35-year run, R&B acts such as The Jackson 5, Aretha Franklin and Usher were featured on the show. 

On Feb. 1, 2012, Cornelius died at the age of 75. He suffered a gunshot wound to the head that officials stated was self-inflicted. Cornelius is survived by two sons, Anthony and Raymond.
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(Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)