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| Soul Train creator Don Cornelius kills himself | |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| The creator of the long-running US TV show Soul Train has shot himself at his Los Angeles home, police said. | The creator of the long-running US TV show Soul Train has shot himself at his Los Angeles home, police said. |
| Don Cornelius, 75, was pronounced dead on Wednesday morning after police answered reports of gunshots at his home around 04:00 (12:00 GMT). | Don Cornelius, 75, was pronounced dead on Wednesday morning after police answered reports of gunshots at his home around 04:00 (12:00 GMT). |
| Soul Train began in Chicago in 1970 but aired nationally from 1971 to 2006, showcasing artists such as Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and Barry White. | Soul Train began in Chicago in 1970 but aired nationally from 1971 to 2006, showcasing artists such as Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and Barry White. |
| Cornelius stepped down as host of the hit show in 1993. | Cornelius stepped down as host of the hit show in 1993. |
| 'TV for black folks' | |
| Soul Train came to prominence in the years after the cultural and political upheaval of the civil rights movement. | Soul Train came to prominence in the years after the cultural and political upheaval of the civil rights movement. |
| It was credited with helping to tear down racial barriers, bringing black music into the cultural mainstream and showcasing soul and funk to a national audience. | It was credited with helping to tear down racial barriers, bringing black music into the cultural mainstream and showcasing soul and funk to a national audience. |
| The show brought new dance moves, fashion and hair styles to their audiences and created the iconic dance line, where dancers could show off their moves. | The show brought new dance moves, fashion and hair styles to their audiences and created the iconic dance line, where dancers could show off their moves. |
| "I'm... trying to avoid saying there was no television for black folks, which they knew was for them," Cornelius said of the show in 2006. | "I'm... trying to avoid saying there was no television for black folks, which they knew was for them," Cornelius said of the show in 2006. |
| Initially, the show was seen by some as a black answer to American Bandstand, a music show presented by Dick Clark. | Initially, the show was seen by some as a black answer to American Bandstand, a music show presented by Dick Clark. |
| American Bandstand sometimes featured very mainstream African-American artists, but Soul Train created a platform for black artists who might not have had the opportunity to appear on American Bandstand. | American Bandstand sometimes featured very mainstream African-American artists, but Soul Train created a platform for black artists who might not have had the opportunity to appear on American Bandstand. |
| 'Cultural game changer' | |
| But Soul Train remained popular long after black musicians became part of mainstream music and culture in the US. | But Soul Train remained popular long after black musicians became part of mainstream music and culture in the US. |
| "I figured as long as the music stayed hot and important and good, that there would always be a reason for Soul Train," Cornelius added. | "I figured as long as the music stayed hot and important and good, that there would always be a reason for Soul Train," Cornelius added. |
| Soul Train eventually grew into a franchise that included the Soul Train Music Awards, the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards and the Soul Train Christmas Starfest. | Soul Train eventually grew into a franchise that included the Soul Train Music Awards, the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards and the Soul Train Christmas Starfest. |
| Cornelius was awarded a place in the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame in 1995 and has a star on the Walk of Fame in Hollywood. | Cornelius was awarded a place in the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame in 1995 and has a star on the Walk of Fame in Hollywood. |
| Paying tribute to him, music producer Quincy Jones said: "Don was a visionary pioneer and a giant in our business. | Paying tribute to him, music producer Quincy Jones said: "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." | "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." |
| The civil rights activist Reverend Al Sharpton said in a statement from New York: "I have known him since I was 19 years old and James Brown had me speak on Soul Train. | The civil rights activist Reverend Al Sharpton said in a statement from New York: "I have known him since I was 19 years old and James Brown had me speak on Soul Train. |
| "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." | "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." |
| In 2009 Cornelius was sentenced to probation for three years on charges of physical abuse in his marriage. | In 2009 Cornelius was sentenced to probation for three years on charges of physical abuse in his marriage. |
| During his divorce case that same year it emerged that he also suffered from health problems. | During his divorce case that same year it emerged that he also suffered from health problems. |