Big Money wrote a fine piece about Don Cornelius earlier this week after the news of his passing hit. I can’t really add anything to it other than that to me, he was one of the most recognizable music figures when I was growing up. I honestly don’t remember who was on Solid Gold. But outside of Dick Clark, I don’t think there’s anyone else I associated with music or music television more so than Cornelius. Here’s something to chew on: MTV was a network dedicated to music and music videos (early MTV), yet no VJ is more memorable than Cornelius. He was an institute.
I want to share a few Soul Train videos, including the one that’s dedicated to Cornelius by whoever is behind the Soul Train YouTube channel.
This one features Stevie Wonder riffing and Don playing basketball with Marvin Gaye.
MJ does the robot while he and J5 perform Dancing Machine.
Lastly, Don himself goes down the Soul Train line.
3 comments
blerd says:
Feb 3, 2012
Solid Gold Hosts included Dionne Warwick, Marilyn McCoo, Andy Gibb, Rick Dees, Rex Smith, and…I think that’s it. And I did that from memory. I’m a bad man!!
GG says:
Feb 3, 2012
You are. I remember Warwick now, but no one else.
blerd says:
Feb 3, 2012
I think she was actually the first host of the show and the last host of the show. Circle of life.