Don Cornelius
Don Cornelius
Donald Cortez "Don" Corneliuswas an American television show host and producer who was best known as the creator of the nationally syndicated dance and music show Soul Train, which he hosted from 1971 until 1993. Eventually Cornelius sold the show to MadVision Entertainment in 2008...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionTV Show Host
Date of Birth27 September 1936
CityChicago, IL
CountryUnited States of America
best created music period records
The '70s and '80s were just the period during which the best soul music was created and the best records were done.
developed radio
'Soul Train' was developed as a radio show on television. It was the radio show that I always wanted and never had.
artists easier gain mtv music pop videos
MTV essentially killed 'American Bandstand' and 'Solid Gold,' because music videos are an easier way for pop artists to gain television exposure.
felt mission national opportunity
I felt that it was my mission to see to it that black talent had an opportunity to get national television exposure.
portrayed tv
Blacks on prime-time TV are only portrayed as comedians - and often in no better a light than 'Amos & Andy.'
awards music
Black music is too big and too powerful not to have its own awards show.
All I really wanted was to be a full-time disc jockey.
job lose means patience people time work
When I have a job to do, time means nothing. I lose patience with people who work on a clock.
admired brain needed taught work worked
My father worked real hard. I admired him. My father taught me you needed to work with your brain and not your back. I've made that a passion.
figured good hot music reason stayed
I figured as long as the music stayed hot and important and good, that there would always be a reason for 'Soul Train.'
awards black heard industry motivation music phenomenon secondary tends viewed
One motivation for the 'Soul Train' awards was the grumbling that all of us in the industry have heard about the way black music tends to be viewed as a secondary phenomenon by the other awards shows.
child great jackie michael singing stevie three wonder
There were three great child singing stars: Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Jackie Washington.
Nobody really invents anything that hasn't been done before.
hosting mounting
Almost all of what I learned about mounting and hosting a dance show I learned from Dick Clark.