Don Cornelius, who famously created the landmark television series "Soul Train," died yesterday in his home in Sherman Oaks, CA. At around 4AM Pacific time, it is reported that law enforcement officials discovered his body with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
"Soul Train," changed the landscape of not only black television, but national television when the show made it's debut in 1971. The man who preached "Love, Peace, and Souuuuul," at the conclusion of all of his broadcasts brought the black version of "American Bandstand," to millions of television sets every week.
Although Cornelius was admittedly not a Hip-Hop fan, his show was essential to the careers of those like Public Enemy, Kurtis Blow and more.
In his much later years, Cornelius was battling a very bitter divorce from his wife and during the proceedings in 2009, notified judges that he was sufferent from "significant health issues," and wanted to "finalize this divorce before I die." The divroce was finalized in 2010.
In 2008, Cornelius was arrested for domestic violence against his wife and pled no contest to the misdemeanor. HE was placed on three years probabtion, which was terminated at the start of this year.
In later public appearances and most notably at the 2009 BET Awards while presenting a Lifetime Achievement Award to the O'Jays, it was obvious that the Soul Train creator's health was fading. Cornelius had suffered a stroke that required brain surgery and that had took its toll on the TV icon.
Questlove of the roots pays homage:
Don Cornelius was my first non musical non celeb non blood related hero.
its amazing timing that my arrival on earth and his greatest creative manifestation came within 9 months of each other. both symbolizing a new hope for urban America. most won’t get it til now (especially now that he’s gone) but i pray that Don knew of the appreciation he had in all of us born after 1968.
you people will have to forgive me…im just kinda writing from the heart….sporadic thoughts tears and snot are spilling out and whatnot. im certain dream and toure and nelson will do his legacy justice in print….
i just felt the need to write something.
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