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February 1st, 2012 
FAKE NEWS for the Zionist agenda
“Soul Train” began in 1970 as a local programme in Chicago and aired
nationally from 1971 to 2006, introducing television audiences to such
legendary artists as Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and Barry White.
It was one of the first shows to showcase African-Americans prominently,
bringing the best RB, soul and later hip-hop acts to TV. Cornelius was
the first host and executive producer.
“There was not programming that targeted any particular ethnicity,”
he said in 2006, then added: “I’m trying to use euphemisms here, trying
to avoid saying there was no television for black folks, which they knew was
for them.”
“Soul Train,” with its trademark opening of an animated chugging
train, was not, however, an immediate success for Cornelius, an ex-disc
jockey with a baritone rumble and cool manner.
Only a handful of stations initially were receptive.
“When we rolled it out, there were only eight takers,” he recalled
in a 2006 interview with The Associated Press. “Which was somewhere
between a little disappointing and a whole lot disappointing.”
Audience reaction and the high-powered talent the show attracted helped it
spread. Over the years, “Soul Train” showcased some of RB’s
biggest stars, including Gaye and Brown, as well as crossover white artists.
In later years, it featured rap stars, although Cornelius acknowledged that
he was no fan of the genre or the racier dance moves that younger teens had
embraced.
The show’s highlight was a dance line. Teens strutted and pranced their way
between two lines of dancers awaiting their turn to show off. Over time, the
dance line worked its way into American culture and is now an integral part
of wedding receptions and parties.
Cornelius, who was inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame in
1995 and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, said in 2006 he remained
grateful to the musicians who made “Soul Train” the destination
for the best and latest in black music.
“I figured as long as the music stayed hot and important and good, that
there would always be a reason for ‘Soul Train,'” Cornelius said.
Cornelius stepped down as “Soul Train” host in 1993. The series
spawned a franchise that includes the Soul Train Music Awards, the Soul
Train Lady of Soul Awards and the Soul Train Christmas Starfest.
The awards returned to the air in 2009 after two-year hiatus. Last year’s
awards were held on Nov 27, with Earth Wind Fire receiving the “Legend
Award”.
In his later years, Cornelius had a troubled marriage. In 2009, he was
sentenced to three years’ probation after pleading no contest to
misdemeanour spousal battery. In his divorce case that year, he also
mentioned having significant health issues.
Source: AP
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