re: DON CORNELIUS:
By now I'm sure you've heard the news ... Don
Cornelius bought his own ticket on the Soul Train to the great beyond
yesterday.
We received several reports from our readers ... here are just a
few:
LOS ANGELES (AP) -
Don Cornelius, creator of the long-running TV dance show "Soul Train," shot
himself to death Wednesday morning at his Los Angeles home, police said. He was
75. Officers responding to a report of a shooting
found Cornelius at his Mulholland Drive home at around 4 a.m., police said. He
was pronounced dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at 4:56 a.m. at
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, said Los Angeles County Assistant Chief Coroner Ed
Winter.
"I am shocked and deeply saddened at the
sudden passing of my friend, colleague, and business partner Don Cornelius,"
said Quincy Jones. "Don was a visionary pioneer and a giant in our business.
Before MTV there was 'Soul Train,' ... that will be the great legacy of Don
Cornelius. His contributions to television, music and our culture as a whole
will never be matched. My heart goes out to Don's family and loved ones."
"Soul Train" began in 1970 in Chicago on
WCIU-TV as a local program and aired nationally from 1971 to 2006.
It introduced television
audiences to such legendary artists as Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and Barry
White and brought the best R&B, soul and later hip-hop acts to TV and had
teenagers dance to them. It was one of the first shows to showcase
African-Americans prominently, although the dance group was racially mixed.
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."
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.
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.
Cornelius stepped down as "Soul Train" host
in 1993.
In his later years, Cornelius had a
troubled marriage. In 2009, he was sentenced to three years' probation after
pleading no contest to misdemeanor spousal battery. In his divorce case that
year, he also mentioned having significant health
issues.
-- Celebrity Death Beeper (reporting the AP
story)
Soul Train Creator Don Cornelius is dead,
an apparent suicide.
The creator of Soul
Train, Don Cornelius, was found dead this morning
at his home in Sherman Oaks, California. According to law enforcement sources
the cause of death appears to be suicide.
Officers responding to a report of a
shooting found Cornelius at his Mulholland Drive home at around 4 a.m., police
said. He was pronounced dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at 4:56 a.m. at
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, said Los Angeles County Assistant Chief Coroner Ed
Winter.
The cause of death was a gunshot wound to
the head and officials believe it to be self-inflicted. A complete investigation
is underway.
Cornelius created Soul Train in 1971 and
was the shows host until 1993. He was instrumental with introducing black
musicians, like James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and Michael Jackson, to a larger audience and familiarizing the country with R&B,
soul, hip hop, funk, jazz, disco, and even gospel music.
Cornelius was also known for his smooth,
deep voice and catchphrase which ended every episode of Soul Train, “… and
you can bet your last money, it’s all gonna be a stone gas, honey! I’m Don
Cornelius, and as always in parting, we wish you love, peace and
soul!”
Read more: Don Cornelius Dead in Apparent
Suicide http://wcbsfm.radio.com/2012/02/01/don-cornelius-dead-in-apparent-suicide/#ixzz1lE8y6Pms
-- from WCBS-FM (courtesy of Frank B ...
natch!)
Don Cornelius, who with the creation of
Soul Train helped break down racial barriers and broaden the reach of black
culture with funky music, groovy dance steps and cutting edge style, died early
Wednesday of an apparent suicide. He was 75.
Officers responding to a report of a
shooting found Cornelius at his Mulholland Drive home at around 4 a.m., police
said. He was pronounced dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at 4:56 a.m. at
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, said Los Angeles County Assistant Chief Coroner Ed
Winter.
"I am shocked and deeply saddened at the sudden passing of my friend, colleague, and business partner Don Cornelius," said Quincy Jones. "Don was a visionary pioneer and a giant in our business. Before MTV there was Soul Train, that will be the great legacy of Don Cornelius. His contributions to television, music and our culture as a whole will never be matched. My heart goes out to Don's family and loved ones."
The Rev. Al Sharpton said he was shocked and grief-stricken.
"I have known him since I was 19 years old and James Brown had me speak on Soul Train," Sharpton said in a statement from New York. "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."
Soul Train began in 1970 in Chicago on WCIU-TV as a local program and aired nationally from 1971 to 2006. It introduced television audiences to such legendary artists as Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and Barry White and brought the best R&B, soul and later hip-hop acts to TV and had teenagers dance to them. It was one of the first shows to showcase African-Americans prominently, although the dance group was racially mixed. Cornelius was the first host and executive producer.
"I am shocked and deeply saddened at the sudden passing of my friend, colleague, and business partner Don Cornelius," said Quincy Jones. "Don was a visionary pioneer and a giant in our business. Before MTV there was Soul Train, that will be the great legacy of Don Cornelius. His contributions to television, music and our culture as a whole will never be matched. My heart goes out to Don's family and loved ones."
The Rev. Al Sharpton said he was shocked and grief-stricken.
"I have known him since I was 19 years old and James Brown had me speak on Soul Train," Sharpton said in a statement from New York. "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."
Soul Train began in 1970 in Chicago on WCIU-TV as a local program and aired nationally from 1971 to 2006. It introduced television audiences to such legendary artists as Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and Barry White and brought the best R&B, soul and later hip-hop acts to TV and had teenagers dance to them. It was one of the first shows to showcase African-Americans prominently, although the dance group was racially mixed. 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."
The reasons he heard? "There was just, 'We don't want it. We pass,'" he said, with race going unmentioned. "No one was blatant enough to say that."
Audience reaction and the high-powered talent the show attracted helped it spread. Over the years, Soul Train showcased some of R&B'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.
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.
Cornelius stepped down as Soul Train host in 1993. The awards returned to the air in 2009 after two-year hiatus. Last year's awards were held on Nov. 27 in Atlanta, 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 misdemeanor spousal battery. In his divorce case that year, he also mentioned having significant health issues.
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."
The reasons he heard? "There was just, 'We don't want it. We pass,'" he said, with race going unmentioned. "No one was blatant enough to say that."
Audience reaction and the high-powered talent the show attracted helped it spread. Over the years, Soul Train showcased some of R&B'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.
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.
Cornelius stepped down as Soul Train host in 1993. The awards returned to the air in 2009 after two-year hiatus. Last year's awards were held on Nov. 27 in Atlanta, 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 misdemeanor spousal battery. In his divorce case that year, he also mentioned having significant health issues.
LAPD representatives did not
immediately respond to requests for comment.
--- Jeff Wilson (AP)
--- Jeff Wilson (AP)
(submitted by Billboard.com)
Associated Press writers Nekesa Mumbi Moody in New York and Robert Jablon and Lynn Elber in Los Angeles contributed to this report.
Associated Press writers Nekesa Mumbi Moody in New York and Robert Jablon and Lynn Elber in Los Angeles contributed to this report.
Don Cornelius, who developed and hosted the
“Soul Train” television program that ran for 35 years, died of an apparently
self-inflicted gunshot at his Sherman Oaks, California home Wednesday (February
1). He was 75. The show began locally on WCIU-TV in Chicago in 1970, produced
with Don’s own money. He took no salary until he could get advertisers to
support the black entertainment music program. His faith justified, “Soul Train”
moved to syndication in 1971 in seven cities, including Atlanta, Cleveland,
Detroit, Houston and Los Angeles. Don stopped hosting the show in 1993 and it
ended its run in 2006, but not before becoming television’s longest-running
syndicated program. Don’s ending words became legendary and make a fine epitaph:
“I’m Don Cornelius, and as always in parting, we wish you love, peace and
soul!”
-- Ron Smith
(oldiesmusic.com)
For some personal memories of Don
Cornelius, be sure to check out Artie Wayne's website
posting!
Kent ...
Berry Gordy, Jr. might have introduced
MOTOWN as the “SOUND of YOUNG AMERICA”, but it was Don Cornelius who brought the
“SOUL of ALL AMERICA” into our living room for 35 years. His syndicated TV show,
SOUL TRAIN was the safest place to see the latest fashions, the newest dance
steps, and for a long time the only place to see African-American performers on
a regular basis. http://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2012/02/01/don-cornelius-r-i-p-rock-in-perpetuity/
Regards,
Artie Wayne
re: THIS AND
THAT:
Kent,
I have a few short comments to make
on what I read today.
First, this being the Year of the
Dragon, don't forget Tommy James'
DRAGGIN' THE LINE. (I know, I know, that's a stretch).
Second, I always liked Norman Greenbaum's followup
called CANNED HAM. Finally,Petula Clark's DOWNTOWN
was mentioned but I think I just
might prefer to go UPTOWN with the Crystals.
Larry
In order
...
First, I think
the "Draggin' The Line" idea was pretty darn clever!
Secondly, I
like "Canned Ham", too ... and we've featured it several time on Easter (along
with The Jelly Beans' hit "I Wanna Love Him So Bad".) Scroll back through the
archives and I'll bet you find these at least twice!
Third, I'm a
Petula fan all the way ... no showdown here ... I don't think "Uptown" holds a
candle to "Downtown"!!! (kk)
Sadly, the Esquire
interview proves Berry was right in not allowing interviews.
My father, like him, really,
seriously needs a hearing aid. Dad still has a few years on Chuck.
-- BOB
FRABLE
For a great look back at
The Lovin' Spoonful, be sure to check out Jeremy Roberts' latest
post:
Kent ...
The story behind this song, 25 years
ago.
Frank B.
Ironically, one of the
songs that got "bumped" from our Sound Advice column a couple of weeks ago when
we missed three days of postings! The history behind this one is quite well
known ... but it's great to hear it again. (I had it doubled-up with Billy's
1968 Hit "With Pen In Hand" as part of our on-going "One You Know ... One You
Didn't Even Know You Forgot" series. (kk)
And congratulations are in order for Charlie Gracie, who's
back on the charts again with his new single release "Baby Doll"!
CHARLIE GRACIE will be on cover of the Philadelphia Inquirer
tomorrow -- MONDAY, JANUARY 30TH! Be sure to pick up a copy! (Normally,
one has to commit murder
today to get front page coverage!)
Charlie is back on the national charts with BABY DOLL, proving you
are never too old to
R-O-C-K!
With his new ABKCO CD "FOR THE LOVE OF CHARLIE" and book of memoirs
coming, there's still lots to learn from the unassuming man who ushered in the
Philly Sound who is beloved around the world!
Well, maybe not commit
murder ... but "Baby Doll" IS a "killer" new track from Philly's original
rocker. Glad to see he's getting some mileage out of this ... this album's been
a long-time coming!
Speaking of which,
you'll find more on Charlie Gracie's new CD on WCBS-FM.com (courtesy of Frank B.) Man, we've been telling you guys about
Charlie's new sessions for over a year now ... 'bout time the rest of the world
caught up! (lol) kk
Kent
...
Here's a
story about one of our favorite guys.
Frank B.
Frank B.
Kent:
Mel Carter has
finished filming his new video in Los
Angeles for “Crying in the Chapel.” It can be viewed at:
http://youtu.be/jjHRgPgKpqA
“Crying in the Chapel” is one song of 12
available on Mel’s new CD, “The Other Standards,” available www.mel-carter.com and www.cdbaby.com
We featured a couple of tracks from Mel's new CD last week
in Forgotten Hits ... now you guys can check out his new video, too!
(kk)
How about a short bio on Question Mark and
the Mysterians? Saw them live at
Ravinia one summer and his appearance on TJ Lubinsky's show was FANTASTIC ... to say
the
least! Excellent musicians,
great keyboard sounds and what personality!
96 Tears one of the Greatest
Garage band records ever!!!!!
Carolyn
If somebody is up to putting something
together on ? and the Mysterians, I'd be more than happy to run it. Rock And Roll Roots Host Bob Stroud told me a
story one time about how he once opened a show for ? and the Mysterians and then
stuck around to see the headliners perform ... and was blown away by their
performance. He went backstage to tell them how great they were and referred to
? by his real name, Rudy Martinez. Martinez immediately shut him down, telling
Stroud, "It's Question Mark". (Some guys just can't take a compliment!!! lol)
I've never had the pleasure of seeing them live but I hear it's a pretty wild
show. Again ... if somebody out there would like to take on this project, drop
me a line! (kk)
Kent,
You are correct in that the Kingsmen had other songs besides LOUIE
LOUIE. I always
liked their version of MONEY and one of their 1965 songs ANNIE
FANNIE held its own here
in OKC. The song you posted, JOLLY GREEN GIANT, even though it was
not a number one
song, was always number one with a man by the name of Del
Monte.
Larry
Neal
