Don Cornelius: The Man Behind "Soul Train"

Highlights from Don Cornelius’ historic journey.

Don Cornelius: (9/27/36 – 2/1/12) - A look back at the life and legacy of Soul Train creator and host Don Cornelius, who died on Feb. 1 from an apparent suicide. He was 75.The legendary host was born in Chicago on September 27, 1936. Cornelius got his start in broadcasting as a journalist on WVON, an African-American talk radio station in Chicago. —Britt Middleton (Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

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Soul Man - A look back at the life and legacy of Soul Train creator and host Don Cornelius, who died on Feb. 1 from an apparent suicide.  He was 75.The legendary host was born in Chicago on September 27, 1936.  Cornelius got his start in broadcasting as a journalist on WVON, an African-American talk radio station in Chicago.—Britt Middleton (Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

Bringing Soul to the People - Cornelius conceived the idea for Soul Train during the civil rights movement after observing that there weren’t any venues for Black music on mainstream television. The show would debut on Chicago’s WCIU-TV in 1970. (Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

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Bringing Soul to the People - Cornelius conceived the idea for Soul Train during the civil rights movement after observing that there weren’t any venues for Black music on mainstream television. The show would debut on Chicago’s WCIU-TV in 1970. (Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images/ Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Success Ahead - By 1971, Soul Train was airing nationally, and would continue to do so until 2006. Cornelius hosted the show from its inception until he stepped down in 1993, famously signing off each episode with, "We wish you love, peace and soul." (Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

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Success Ahead - By 1971, Soul Train was airing nationally, and would continue to do so until 2006. Cornelius hosted the show from its inception until he stepped down in 1993, famously signing off each episode with, "We wish you love, peace and soul." (Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

Rising Stars - In the 1970s and 1980s, megastar talent — including James Brown, Diana Ross, Michael Jackson and Aretha Franklin — made guest appearances on the show. Perhaps even more thrilling was catching a glimpse of a star on the rise, including a young Janet Jackson, who first appeared on the dance-music program in 1982. (Photo: 2001 Tribune Entertainment/Getty Images)

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Rising Stars - In the 1970s and 1980s, megastar talent — including James Brown, Diana Ross, Michael Jackson and Aretha Franklin — made guest appearances on the show. Perhaps even more thrilling was catching a glimpse of a star on the rise, including a young Janet Jackson, who first appeared on the dance-music program in 1982. (Photo: 2001 Tribune Entertainment/Getty Images)

Comeon Down the Soul Train - As popular as the musical acts were, audiences were drawn to watching dancers on the show shuffle down the famous Soul Train “dance line,” showcasing their hottest moves. Over the years, the segment helped popularize dozens of dance crazes, including pop-locking, the Breakdown and the Robot. (Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

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Comeon Down the Soul Train - As popular as the musical acts were, audiences were drawn to watching dancers on the show shuffle down the famous Soul Train “dance line,” showcasing their hottest moves. Over the years, the segment helped popularize dozens of dance crazes, including pop-locking, the Breakdown and the Robot. (Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

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Game Changer  - The impact of Cornelius’ career expands outside the realm of music. "He brought soul music and dance to the world in a way that it had never been shown and he was a cultural game changer on a global level,” Rev. Al Sharpton told the Associated Press on Feb. 1. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Game Changer  - The impact of Cornelius’ career expands outside the realm of music. "He brought soul music and dance to the world in a way that it had never been shown and he was a cultural game changer on a global level,” Rev. Al Sharpton told the Associated Press on Feb. 1. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Soul Train Awards - In 1987, after finding another void for Black entertainers, Cornelius took his initial concept to the next level and created the Soul Train Awards to honor the contributions of Black artists; the annual program continues to this day. (Photo: Vince Bucci/Getty Images) 

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Soul Train Awards - In 1987, after finding another void for Black entertainers, Cornelius took his initial concept to the next level and created the Soul Train Awards to honor the contributions of Black artists; the annual program continues to this day. (Photo: Vince Bucci/Getty Images) 

Bidding Farewell - The broadcaster would step down as host of Soul Train in 1993.  (Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

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Bidding Farewell - The broadcaster would step down as host of Soul Train in 1993. His later years would be tumultuous, including in 2009, when he was sentenced to three years’ probation after pleading no contest to misdemeanor spousal battery. In his divorce proceedings that year, he also admitted to suffering from significant health issues. (Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Cementing His Status - Cornelius was inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame in 1995 and also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. (Photo: AP Photo/John Hayes, File)

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Cementing His Status - Cornelius was inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame in 1995 and also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. (Photo: AP Photo/John Hayes, File)

Photo By Photo: AP Photo/John Hayes

Here to Stay - "I figured as long as the music stayed hot and important and good, that there would always be a reason for Soul Train," Cornelius told the AP in 2006. (Photo: Kevin Parry/Wire Image/Getty Images)

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Here to Stay - "I figured as long as the music stayed hot and important and good, that there would always be a reason for Soul Train," Cornelius told the AP in 2006. (Photo: Kevin Parry/Wire Image/Getty Images)