Don Cornelius, the smooth talking creator of the popular dance television show Soul Train, died today at the age of 75.
From the Los Angeles Times:
"Soul Train" creator Don Cornelius was found dead at his Sherman Oaks home Wednesday morning. Law enforcement sources said police arrived at Cornelius' home around 4 a.m. He apparently died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the case was ongoing. The sources said there was no sign of foul play, but the Los Angeles Police Department was investigating.
Soul Train was a springboard for new Motown artists in the 1970s.
NPR's Michele Norris tweets, "Soul Train showed us what to listen to, what to wear, how to dance, how to VIBE, how to be unapologetically fabulous. RIP Don Cornelius."
Cornelius hosted the show from 1971-1993 and coined the show's famous introduction:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFRy4f73HTg
And here's a 2011 interview with Cornelius by V103's Herb Kent in Chicago:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rh_RImp8nI4
