The host of the barrier-breaking show “Soul Train was found dead in his Encino home and it appears he died of a self-inflicted gun wound, although the authorities stress the death is still under investigation.

“Soul Train”, which first aired in 1971, brought African American culture to national audiences on Saturday mornings if the form of dancing teens, live performances and, of course, the “Soul Train Line”. For over four decades, acts from Al Green to EPMD lit up the stage even after Cornelius stepped down in 1993.

Not only did Cornelius make way from a cultural standpoint, he was also the first African American to create, produce, host and own his own show.

Don Cornelius: 1936-2012.

via [Washington Post]

Sean