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This year marks the 50th anniversary of Soul Train. The national Black treasure, helmed by Don Cornelius, not only celebrated Black music and culture, but as archivist/screenwriter Maya S. Cade so eloquently wrote, it's "a reflection of a national Black image that we continue to conjure: The trends we create and cultivate set the standard for what is hip."
For years, it was considered the "longest-running first-run, nationally syndicated program in American television history." It was essential watching in Black households and bridged generational gaps. When millennials would be asked by elders, "whatchu know about that youngin?" The answer would 9 times out of 10 be related to Soul Train. Countless icons from Gladys Knight to Aaliyah to The Gap Band to Michael Jackson all graced the Soul Train stage. It was a rite of passage and now serves as an archive of Black musical history.
It also set trends. It told folks what to listen to, what to wear, and most of all, how to dance. Questlove expressed the show was "the master of teaching you lessons that you didn’t know you were being taught." Though often being paid in exposure, the dancers were top of mind when it came to performances, and songs that artists/labels would want to hear on the show. They were a key factor in providing that stamp of approval on what was hot and what was not.
Soul Train began in Chicago as a local program before George Johnson, the founder and president of Johnson Product Company (a black hair care manufacturing company) became a sponsor and national syndication soon followed. As the show gained popularity, American Bandstand host, Dick Clark attempted to stop Soul Train in its tracks with his version entitled Soul Unlimited. Due to backlash from the community and a message from activist Rev. Jesse Jackson who expressed, "the idea that Clark, with whom blacks had always had an uneasy relationship, could kill Soul Train led to threats of an ABC boycott," Soul Unlimited was pulled after a few episodes; Cornelius and Clark never spoke again.
Cornelius also expanded his Soul Train empire with the Soul Train Awards, the first Black centered award show. Cornelius hosted the series from its conception until 1993 when he stepped down and maintained a creative presence behind the scenes. Hosts were rotated until 1997 when actor-comedian Mystro Clark stepped in as permanent host. Millennials most likely remember Shemar Moore's time as permanent host from 2000-2003 until he was succeeded by actor Dorian Gregory. Gregory remained the show's host until production ceased in 2006.
As Hip-Hop and contemporary R&B became more popular, Soul Train's ratings began to diminish. However, without Soul Train, there would be no 106 & Park.
While others had American Bandstand, we had Soul Train. It was created and produced by us and catered to us and our culture. Nelson George (music/cultural critic and author of The Hippest Trip in America— a phrase coined by Cornelius on Soul Train) wrote, "what Soul Train did was take black joy — the excitement, the vitality, the spirit of soul music, of black music, of funk, of the beginnings of disco — and put it here in a format for everyone could enjoy in their living room." It made our culture accessible to all.
Don Cornelius— who tragically died in 2012— did that for us and for that, he and this legacy will live on.
For those ready to tap into the historic nostalgia, Cade has compiled a running list of Soul Train performances on YouTube and there is also an archive of interviews and moments from both Soul Train and its award shows that can be found on the official Soul Train YouTube channel.
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