50 Years Of Soul Train: A Trip Down Memory Lane

Published

5 years ago

November 29, 2021

“We tend to get ignored as a group of creative people. Black music is too big and too powerful not to have its own awards show.” These were the words spoken from the man that started it all, Mr. Don Cornelius himself. As we celebrate 50 years of black excellence with the Soul Train Awards 2021, let’s not forget how it all started. We here at FM Hip Hop thought that it would be nice to take a trip down memory lane and catch a glimpse of some of the Soul Train’s most memorable moments, and a look into where it all started. Love, peace, and Soul Train!

Don Cornelius

Don Cornelius hosting the television show Soul Train. Image: Everett Collection

Don Cornelius was the man behind the Soul Train Music Awards. He created the show in 1971. The first episode aired on Oct. 2, 1971. The last episode aired in 2006. This groundbreaking music program was the longest-running first-run, nationally organized program in television history. In the late 1960’s he hosted a television program called A Blacks View Of The News. He was very ambitious and had a strong desire to spread Black culture worldwide. During that time, he pitched the station a music program that mirrored the others of that era. It was a program that focused on African American Music. Despite the low budget to hire dancers and musicians, the show as given a green light.

The Soul Train

Due to budget restraints, the show was based only in Chicago. However, after a year of drawing in high ratings, the show moved to national syndication. The most memorable aspect of Soul Train was the Soul Train Line. This was when the dancers from the program formed two lines with a large space in the middle that allowed different dancers to dance down the opening.

Biggest Moments Of Our Culture

Some of the biggest moments of our culture took place o the Soul Train Stage, like the popular dance move called ” The Robot.” The Robot was first performed to a wide artist by Michael Jackson while performing the Jackson’s 5 single “Dancing Machine.” Also, Patti Labelle was the first to don futuristic costumes during her performance of “Lady Marmalade.” The Soul Train went on to become a place for artists to promote themselves and their music. The show featured iconic performances from some of the greatest musicians of that era like Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, the Jackson 5, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Janet Jackson, New Edition and so many more. Check out the best of the most iconic performances of Soul Train’s history.

Soul Train takes on Hip Hop

The significance of this iconic show is that it showcased all genres of Black music. It not only highlighted R&B and soul, but hip hop as well. Hip Hop’s finest have graced this musical stage. From Kurtis Blow to Lil Wayne, Soul Train has seen it all.

The Soul Train Music Awards

In the 1980’s, Cornelius decided to expand the Soul Train Brand and gave us the Soul Train Music Awards. The Black- centric awards show was held for the first time in on March 23, 1987, and hosted by Dionne Warwick and Luther Vandross. Some of the biggest names in Hollywood were in attendance. The Soul Train Awards was groundbreaking. Don Cornelius passed away in 2012, but his legacy lives on. We continue to honor the best in African American culture, music, and entertainment. Enjoy the ride down memory lane.