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R.I.P. Don Cornelius, Dead At 75

Feb 01 | by Natasha

In shocking and sad news, "Soul Train" founder and music television innovator, Don Cornelius, was found dead of apparent suicide in his California home.

 

Details inside...

TMZ reports 75-year-old Chicago native Don Cornelius was found dead in his home in Sherman Oaks, CA.  He has 2 sons.  According to the report:

...Law enforcement sources tell us it appears he committed suicide.

We're told cops discovered the body at around 4 AM PT. Law enforcement sources tell us ... Cornelius died from a gunshot wound to the head and officials believe the wound was self-inflicted.

We're told Cornelius was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

During Don's bitter divorce proceedings in 2009, he told an L.A. judge he was suffering from "significant health issues" and wanted to "finalize this divorce before I die."

Mr. Cornelius kicked off "Soul Train" in 1971 in response to African American singers/artists not being featured in the popular musical show "American Bandstand."  Once he incorporated dancers into his weekly music show, "Soul Train" became one of the most successful shows on air to date.

CNN has confirmed the story as well.


 

News of his death is absolutely disturbing and shocking. 

BONUS: The one and only time Mr. Cornelius hit the famed "Soul Train" line:

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Comments

WANT YOUR OWN AVATAR? GET IT HERE.

Every Saturday morning I

Every Saturday morning I received .50 cent for allowance....bought candy from the ice-cream truck....ate it ....while watching "Soul Train ".......the 70's.
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Anonymous's picture
by Anonymous
9:04 am - Feb 3, '12

r.i.p., mr

r.i.p., mr cornelius...... thank you for the years and the memories
minerva's picture
by minerva
4:45 am - Feb 2, '12

Rest in eternal love and

Rest in eternal love and peace; you helped teach us the meaning of soul. Thanks, Don Cornelius!
talltales's picture
by talltales
1:11 am - Feb 2, '12

He messed up his life and

He messed up his life and took the cowardly way out, he should have stayed with his black family. Too old to be so dumb.
Anonymous's picture
by Anonymous
12:04 am - Feb 2, '12

you need to shut the hell up.

you need to shut the hell up. you have no idea what people are going thru in their lives you ignorant, stupid person. how dare you judge anyone. you should have been aborted. because your obiviously waste of life. stop blogging and making ignorant remarks. go read a book. I hate truly hate ignorance.
Anonymous's picture
by Anonymous
3:44 pm - Feb 2, '12

So sad he was just on Unsung

So sad he was just on Unsung the other nite, I remember growing up I looked forward to watching Soul Train on saturdays for all the new dance moves. Cant believe hes gone. RIP Don PEACE and....SOOOUUL!
Anonymous's picture
by Anonymous
11:17 pm - Feb 1, '12

being born and raised in

being born and raised in chicago, knew soul train and its rival-the big bill hill show. don c. was like family. i been a mortician all my life, but never thought @ don c. dyin. u know my peeps, he never will!
mrcandy's picture
by mrcandy
10:55 pm - Feb 1, '12

being born and raised in

being born and raised in chicago, knew soul train and its rival-the big bill hill show. don c. was like family. i been a mortician all my life, but never thought @ don c. dyin. u know my peeps, he never will!
mrcandy's picture
by mrcandy
10:55 pm - Feb 1, '12

R.I.P Don. Whatever the case

R.I.P Don. Whatever the case may bë, u will always remembered as legend in my book. God bless the fam. Three Lord bë with yall through this time of grief.
Boss Chic Drea's picture
by Boss Chic Drea
10:51 pm - Feb 1, '12

My mother always said to me

My mother always said to me as a kid; we know how we're going to come into this world but we never know how we're going to leave it. Who would have ever though that Mr. "Soul Train" man would simply give up on life. R.I.P Don Corneliusa. Maybe you may not have realized it during your days of personal pain and suffering but you meant a lot to many of us, the world over and your sudden and sad passing reminds us of how extremely fragile life really is. I hope He finally finds Love and Peace where ever he's at. And I want to thank him for the many years of Soul.
tellmeaboutit's picture
by tellmeaboutit
10:00 pm - Feb 1, '12

Always a horrible thing when

Always a horrible thing when a person takes his own life. May God have some mercy on his soul.
Sammy's picture
by Sammy
9:42 pm - Feb 1, '12

Im sorry but why the hell

Im sorry but why the hell does does as 75 YEAR OLD commit suicide, i mean, how long do you even have left, you're already close to the finish line...damn...really....why
Anonymous's picture
by Anonymous
8:23 pm - Feb 1, '12

RIP DON. YOU WERE A TRUE

RIP DON. YOU WERE A TRUE BLACK AMERICAN HERO. YOU WILL BE MISSED. IT'S A SAD DAY. AND I JUST CAN'T BELIEVE THE IGNORANCE I'M READING. HALF OF YOU CAN'T SPELL AND PROBABLY CAN'T EVEN READ. BUT YOU HAVE ENOUGH NERVE AND SIT HERE AND JUDGE SOMEONE. YOUR NOT GOD. YOUR A NOBODY. THAT'S WHY YOU SIT ON YOUR FAT LAZY ASSES MAKING JUDGEMENT ON SOMEONE ELSE'S TRAGEDY. IF YOU CAN'T SAY SOMETHING NICE, THEN DON'T SAY ANYTHING AT ALL. TO SAY HE WAS ALMOST DONE IS CRUDE. HE WAS IN PAIN AND WANTED TO GO. MAYBE HE DIDN'T WANT TO SUFFER LIKE SO MANY OTHERS. I CAN'T BLAME HIM FOR THAT. I WATCHED MY GRANDMOTHER DIE SLOWLY AND PAINFULLY FROM CANCER. YOU NEVER WANT TO WITNESS SUCH A PAIN. SO I UNDERSTAND WHY HE TOOK HIS LIFE. MAY GOD BLESS YOUR SPIRIT AND SOUL. WE WERE BLESSED TO HAVE YOU AS LONG AS WE DID. RIP DC...
Anonymous's picture
by Anonymous
3:53 pm - Feb 2, '12

LMBAO!!!!

LMBAO!!!!
Anonymous's picture
by Anonymous
2:57 am - Feb 2, '12

R.I.P Don. Whatever the case

R.I.P Don. Whatever the case may bë, u will always remembered as legend in my book. God bless the fam. Three Lord bë with yall through this time of grief.
Boss Chic Drea's picture
by Boss Chic Drea
5:16 pm - Feb 1, '12

sad news. this man Made black

sad news. this man Made black music mainstream. he brought acts like the staple singers, kool n the gang, james brown, stevie wonder, and the jackson 5 household names to white america. he hosted, produced, and owned his show. the rights, the exposure the vision was Don. that's a boss. hate he went out like this..
pgrip's picture
by pgrip
4:11 pm - Feb 1, '12

I have been saying this all

I have been saying this all day. You committed suicide at age 75! Stop the madness. Just stop it... I cannot believe that. I just can't at 75! Some people NEVER make it to that age and he just decided to "check-out". UNBELIEVABLE!
Mz. Opinionated's picture
by Mz. Opinionated
4:06 pm - Feb 1, '12

You sound like a

You sound like a one-dementional ass. If his health was deteriorating and he did not want to be at the mercy of others in his final days, he did what he thought was his only livable options. It's ignorant to judge anyone who chooses death as their best option. Just wish then peace and move on with your day.
Jennifer's picture
by Jennifer
6:26 pm - Feb 1, '12

Sometimes an illness can be

Sometimes an illness can be that bad. I've taken care of people that ill. I can only pray that I nor my family ever experience such pain. R.I.P. Don. When I think of childhood Saturday mornings Soul Train will always come to mind. I wish his sons peace of mind.
Anonymous's picture
by Anonymous
4:00 pm - Feb 1, '12

RIP DON, I grew up watching

RIP DON, I grew up watching that show, It was great!!!
Meupinhere's picture
by Meupinhere
3:48 pm - Feb 1, '12

WHY?? Was life that tough? So

WHY?? Was life that tough? So sad. RIP and may God bless your soul Don.
U laid it low and Spread it Wide.....mama Braxton's picture
by U laid it low and Spread it Wide.....mama Braxton
3:41 pm - Feb 1, '12

Tragic! Just tragic! *deep

Tragic! Just tragic! *deep sigh*
lockstress's picture
by lockstress
3:16 pm - Feb 1, '12

R.i.p Don Cornelius thank you

R.i.p Don Cornelius thank you for all that you have done for the Black communities and you plant the root of the seed for such as sync shows like B.E.T..........your words Love Peace Soul will live on may God bless you brother.
Anonymous's picture
by Anonymous
2:07 pm - Feb 1, '12

THIS IS SO SAD. SUCH AN

THIS IS SO SAD. SUCH AN INNOVATOR, THEY JUST DON'T COME LIKE HIM ANYMORE. ENTERTAINMENT HAVE CHANGE AND BECOME MORE ACCEPTING OF BLACK PEOPLE BECAUSE OF HIM. HE WILL BE MISS. MY PRAYERS ARE WITH HIS FAMILY. R.I.P.
Anonymous's picture
by Anonymous
2:02 pm - Feb 1, '12

Man come on!!!!!Not Don man

Man come on!!!!!Not Don man ...Suicide???? I was talking about him man...:'( ...Rip Don Cornelius... thanks brotha, you fought for us to have the biggest viewed musical black-oriented variety show not only in this country BUT AROUND THE WORLD!!!!You loved real music, and wasn't really feeling that disco and hiphop crap and i don't blame you brotha!!!!Sad that things got tough and you felt it was no other choice for you. But you were loved brotha R.I.P Don Cornelius.. And to you ignorant ass black women on here saying "that's what happen when you date white women" shut your silly ass up!!!If he was with yall he probably would've been dead in his 50's from high blood pressure from you gettin on his goddamn nerves and diabestes from you cooking all that damn greasy ass food..!!! Saying some silly shit like thatttt man,
LetsGetIt's picture
by LetsGetIt
1:55 pm - Feb 1, '12

It would have been better to

It would have been better to die from nerves, diabetes, anything but suicide. He was a sellout who died broke. The white woman got paid of black labor and he left his black sons and black grand-kids with nothing but shame.
Anonymous's picture
by Anonymous
11:59 pm - Feb 1, '12

RIP

RIP
HopEpe's picture
by HopEpe
1:47 pm - Feb 1, '12

In my Martin voice "Ahh

In my Martin voice "Ahh Damn"!!! Doing the Soul Train line today, whatever Don issues, this cat was a freakin pioneer. Started Soul Train with 400 bucks, to get our black artists and then broke in white artists too showcase them. Also I want to say to the disrespectful ones, if you don't want to pay respects to what this man has contributed to the black community and the world, then do everybody a favor and STFU. Soul Train longest syndicated program in History, so brother Don thank you for all you did, and saturday mornings have never been the same, PEACE,LOVE, and SOUL
sportstalk23's picture
by sportstalk23
1:40 pm - Feb 1, '12

Wow..This is so sad. I

Wow..This is so sad. I actually have a picture of him and my step father taken together at a bonner brothers hair show back in 1975. I lost my stepfather last year, hopefully they will hang out together again. RIP you two!
DeeSC's picture
by DeeSC
1:18 pm - Feb 1, '12

I am truly a fan of soul

I am truly a fan of soul train. Then and today. This man will truly be missed. So sad he had to leave the way he did. It is between him and God now. Do not judge.
Bessie's picture
by Bessie
1:18 pm - Feb 1, '12

Wow!!!!!! He made Saturday

Wow!!!!!! He made Saturday mornings exciting. 70s,80s O'brian to Run-DMC, Force MDs, Five Star..........man.
funerals and nappy edges's picture
by funerals and nappy edges
1:17 pm - Feb 1, '12

It is very sad to be so sick

It is very sad to be so sick that you want to take your own life. I will pray for his family.
Anonymous's picture
by Anonymous
1:12 pm - Feb 1, '12

So sad on the first day of

So sad on the first day of black history month too:((( but suicide its never the answer,its sad cause in the black community we can't talk to our own peers about issues like this cause its wetting our something its wrong with you...not true the person is just finding a way to escape, but not in a good way. Wish he would of talked to someone cause even though I'm only 26 & lived the corny years of soul train ( soap opera actor) he its a legend....was not for him no ybf, no bet...so on.....always talk to someone before this choice:(((
Anonymous's picture
by Anonymous
1:02 pm - Feb 1, '12

So sad on the first day of

So sad on the first day of black history month too:((( but suicide its never the answer,its sad cause in the black community we can't talk to our own peers about issues like this cause its wetting our something its wrong with you...not true the person is just finding a way to escape, but not in a good way. Wish he would of talked to someone cause even though I'm only 26 & lived the corny years of soul train ( soap opera actor) he its a legend....was not for him no ybf, no bet...so on.....always talk to someone before this choice:(((
Anonymous's picture
by Anonymous
1:02 pm - Feb 1, '12

So sad on the first day of

So sad on the first day of black history month too:((( but suicide its never the answer,its sad cause in the black community we can't talk to our own peers about issues like this cause its wetting our something its wrong with you...not true the person is just finding a way to escape, but not in a good way. Wish he would of talked to someone cause even though I'm only 26 & lived the corny years of soul train ( soap opera actor) he its a legend....was not for him no ybf, no bet...so on.....always talk to someone before this choice:(((
Anonymous's picture
by Anonymous
1:02 pm - Feb 1, '12

So sad on the first day of

So sad on the first day of black history month too:((( but suicide its never the answer,its sad cause in the black community we can't talk to our own peers about issues like this cause its wetting our something its wrong with you...not true the person is just finding a way to escape, but not in a good way. Wish he would of talked to someone cause even though I'm only 26 & lived the corny years of soul train ( soap opera actor) he its a legend....was not for him no ybf, no bet...so on.....always talk to someone before this choice:(((
Anonymous's picture
by Anonymous
1:02 pm - Feb 1, '12

So sad on the first day of

So sad on the first day of black history month too:((( but suicide its never the answer,its sad cause in the black community we can't talk to our own peers about issues like this cause its wetting our something its wrong with you...not true the person is just finding a way to escape, but not in a good way. Wish he would of talked to someone cause even though I'm only 26 & lived the corny years of soul train ( soap opera actor) he its a legend....was not for him no ybf, no bet...so on.....always talk to someone before this choice:(((
Anonymous's picture
by Anonymous
1:02 pm - Feb 1, '12

So sad on the first day of

So sad on the first day of black history month too:((( but suicide its never the answer,its sad cause in the black community we can't talk to our own peers about issues like this cause its wetting our something its wrong with you...not true the person is just finding a way to escape, but not in a good way. Wish he would of talked to someone cause even though I'm only 26 & lived the corny years of soul train ( soap opera actor) he its a legend....was not for him no ybf, no bet...so on.....always talk to someone before this choice:(((
Anonymous's picture
by Anonymous
1:01 pm - Feb 1, '12

So sad on the first day of

So sad on the first day of black history month too:((( but suicide its never the answer,its sad cause in the black community we can't talk to our own peers about issues like this cause its wetting our something its wrong with you...not true the person is just finding a way to escape, but not in a good way. Wish he would of talked to someone cause even though I'm only 26 & lived the corny years of soul train ( soap opera actor) he its a legend....was not for him no ybf, no bet...so on.....always talk to someone before this choice:(((
Anonymous's picture
by Anonymous
1:01 pm - Feb 1, '12

May peace and goodwill

May peace and goodwill comfort be felt by the family, friends and fans of Mr. Don C, a truly great and talented man who contributed something wonderful to all the world who loved being entertained. He gave a world stage to the artists and fans alike R I P this was sad to hear, only because you feel bad that someone dies alone and was suffering. my tears celebrate his life and yes mourn his death...........
Memories's picture
by Memories
12:58 pm - Feb 1, '12

This is so sad to hear..... I

This is so sad to hear..... I remember coming up watching Soul Train with my brothers and sister after the Saturday cartoons went off... 12:30 on WGN Channel 9.... I watched every Saturday until it went off the air..... My thoughts and prayers are with the Cornelius family.... R.I.P Mr. Cornelius
Marvin's picture
by Marvin
12:48 pm - Feb 1, '12

This doesn't quite sound

This doesn't quite sound right.... R.I.P Don Corneilus
Angie 's picture
by Angie
12:46 pm - Feb 1, '12

We all wonder "why" when

We all wonder "why" when someone commits suicide. Why was this his only answer? So sad. R.I.P Don
lasnev1's picture
by lasnev1
12:39 pm - Feb 1, '12

He was extremely sick as the

He was extremely sick as the article states for all those who cant read or comprehend..Maybe he was in pain..Not that I condone suicide but everybody on here acting stupid talking about why he waited so long..HELL OBVIOUSLY HE WAS HEALTHY ADN HAD THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD TO WHEN HE WAS YOUNGER...
Tay Tay's picture
by Tay Tay
12:29 pm - Feb 1, '12

Love, peace and soul!

Love, peace and soul!
Anonymous's picture
by Anonymous
12:25 pm - Feb 1, '12

Rest Don...You were the

Rest Don...You were the greatest. Kept me entertained on Saturdays for a long time. You will be missed.. For what ever reason you chose to leave this earth of turmoil. God has you now.
Lynee Robinson's picture
by Lynee Robinson
12:17 pm - Feb 1, '12

I hope he didn't commit

I hope he didn't commit suicide :(
miss infamous's picture
by miss infamous
12:01 pm - Feb 1, '12

R.I.P. Don C. Smh at the

R.I.P. Don C. Smh at the suicide speculations. I doubt if suicide was the reason. This is not a great way to start off BLACK HISTORY month. A black pioneer shoots himself n the head at 75! Wow this is sad! I love soul train reruns.
Nadirah's picture
by Nadirah
11:40 am - Feb 1, '12

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