50 Years Ago: The Soul Train Leaves the Station

October 2, 1971 was the date that the formerly local Chicago-based music show Soul Train, having moved to Los Angeles, went into national syndication.

One of the first entertainment shows created by black producers and artists for black audiences, Soul Train was of course appreciated by viewers across the color spectrum. The show was the creation and presentation of former TV reporter and DJ Don Cornelius (not to be confused with boxing impresario Don King). I associate the show with my own kidhood of the 1970s, but Soul Train lasted 36 years, until 2006. In addition to the Soul Train Line (the troupe of in-house dancers) there were musical guests each week. Among those who appeared on the show the most times were Billy Preston,Smokey Robinson, Al Green, Gladys Knight, Thelma Houston, Chaka Kahn, Patti LaBelle, Bobby Womack, Curtis Mayfield and Barry White.

For more about show business historyconsult No Applause, Just Throw Money: The Book That Made Vaudeville Famous, And please stay tuned for my upcomingElectric Vaudeville: A Century of Radio and TV Variety.