DON CORNELIUS- RIP

DON CORNELIUS, (September 27, 1936 – February 1, 2012)
 was an American television show host and producer who is best known as the creator of the nationally syndicated dance/music franchise Soul Train, which he hosted from 1971 to 1993. 

Originally a journalist inspired by the civil rights movement, Cornelius recognized that in the late 1960s there was no television venue in the United States for soul music, and introduced many African-American musicians to a larger audience as a result of their appearances on Soul Train, a program that was both influential among African-Americans and popular with a wider audience.

 As writer, producer, and host of Soul Train, Cornelius was instrumental in offering wider exposure to black musicians like James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and Michael Jackson, as well as creating opportunities for talented dancers that would presage subsequent television dance programs.

 Cornelius said "We had a show that kids gravitated to," and Spike Lee described the program as an
 "urban music time capsule.

Don Cornelius, the producer and television host who created the dance show “Soul Train,” was found shot dead in his Los Angeles home early Wednesday morning in what appears to be a suicide, the Los Angeles Police Department and the county coroner’s office said. He was 75 years old.

A person called the police from Mr. Cornelius’s house on Mulholland Drive in the Sherman Oaks neighborhood just before 4 a.m. and reported shots had been fired, a police spokesman, Chris No, said. When officers arrived, they were let into the house and found Mr. Cornelius lying lifeless on the floor with a gunshot wound to the head that appeared to be self-inflicted, said the Los Angeles County assistant chief coroner, Ed Winter.

Mr. Cornelius was taken to Cedar-Sinai Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 4:56 a.m., Mr. Winter said. “It was reported as a suicide, a self-inflicted wound,” he said. “I have investigators at the hospital.”

i have a personal memory with mr cornelius from back in 1987. 

i was the wardrobe stylist for my long time friends- iris parker, valerie mackintosh and

 alisa randolph from the girl group- MADAME X.

the girls wanted to do a costume change and the production said there was no time. iris wouldn't take no for an answer so during the short commerical break they changed their costumes  on stage.

i saw don cornelius looking incredulously at the girls dressing on stage. then very keenly checking me out. he walked up to me.

i said to him, "i'm sorry mr. cornelius but they insisted." he responded looking directly at me up and down, "you just do what you need to do young man. do what you need to do."

here is that classic clip- MADAME X ON SOUL TRAIN costumes by me- RICK CASTRO.

Madame X - Just That Type Of Girl TIB-FUNK by TIB-FUNK

Madame X backstage on Soul Train hosted by the legendary Don Cornelius 1987. Styled by the iconic fetish photographer, then stylist, Rick Castro. Left to right: Iris Parker (myself), Alisa Randolph, Valerie Victoria.

mr. cornelius- you were one-of-a-kind and a trailblazer. you've help so many people's careers including mine. RIP- SIR- RIP.