Don Cornelius-The man was an icon. He was to Soul what Dick Clark was to pop.  Like American Bandstand,  introduced the songs and the kids danced. He introduced more than one generation to the great soul stars of the day back when soul music was growing by leaps and bounds. Many of the stars of that era owe a great deal to Don Cornelius..

Cornelius was and is an icon and he will be missed by many.

His life came to a sad and tragic end.

 

According to RNN:

Don Cornelius, the creator and host of the television show Soul Train, was found dead in his Sherman Oaks, CA, home this morning.

The Los Angeles County Coroner's office confirmed Cornelius, 75, died from a gunshot wound to the head that appeared to be self-inflicted, according to CNN.

The police discovered Cornelius around 4 a.m. PT at his Mulholland Drive residence, and he was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Soul Train was instrumental in bringing musical acts in R&B, soul and other genres to a larger audience, including Aretha Franklin. The show ran in syndication from 1974 to 2006.

Cornelius was the host from the show's inception until 1993.

Born Sept. 27, 1936, in Chicago, Cornelius worked as an insurance salesman before heading to broadcasting school in 1966. He also worked as a DJ and was a sports anchor for A Black's View of the News on WCIU in 1968.

Inspired by American Bandstand, Cornelius used $400 of his own money to create the pilot for Soul Train.

Cornelius told a judge during his 2009 divorce proceedings that he wanted to "finalize this divorce before I die." He was reportedly suffering from significant health issues.

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