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Donald Cortez "Don" Cornelius (September 27, 1936 – February 1, 2012) was an American television show host and producer who was best known as the creator of the nationally syndicated dance and music franchise ''Soul Train'', which he hosted from 1971 until 1993. Eventually Cornelius sold the show to MadVision Entertainment in 2008. ==Early life and career== Cornelius was born on Chicago's South Side on September 27, 1936,〔McKinley Jr., James C. (February 1, 2012), ("Don Cornelius, ‘Soul Train’ Creator, Is Dead" ), ''The New York Times''.〕 and raised in the Bronzeville neighborhood. After graduating from DuSable High School in 1954,〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://www.classmates.com/yearbooks/Dusable-High-School/148581?page=94 )〕 he joined the United States Marine Corps and served 18 months in Korea. He worked at various jobs following his stint in the military, including selling tires, automobiles, and insurance, and as an officer with the Chicago Police Department.〔(O'Donnell, Maureen. "'Soul Train' creator, South Side native Cornelius dead in suicide" ), ''Chicago Sun-Times'', Thursday, February 2, 2012.〕 He quit his day job to take a three-month broadcasting course in 1966, despite being married with two sons and having only $400 in his bank account.〔 In 1966, he landed a job as an announcer, news reporter and disc jockey on Chicago radio station WVON. He stood roughly 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) tall. Cornelius joined Chicago television station WCIU-TV in 1967 and hosted a news program called ''A Black's View of the News''. In 1970, he launched ''Soul Train'' on WCIU-TV as a daily local show. The program entered national syndication and moved to Los Angeles the following year. Eddie Kendricks, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Bobby Hutton and Honey Cone were featured on the national debut episode. Originally a journalist and 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. He 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.〔(David Hinckley, "VH1's 'Hippest Trip' reveals how Don Cornelius put 'Soul Train' on the fast track" ), ''New York Daily News'', February 5, 2010.〕 As writer, producer, and host of ''Soul Train'', Cornelius was instrumental in offering wider exposure to black musicians such as James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and Michael Jackson, as well as creating opportunities for talented dancers, setting a precedent for popular television dance programs.〔(Brian Stelter, "After 38 Years, ‘Soul Train’ Gets New Owner" ), ''The New York Times'', June 17, 2008.〕 Cornelius said, "We had a show that kids gravitated to," and Spike Lee described the program as an "urban music time capsule".〔 With the creation of ''Soul Train'', Don was able to keep the movement going well past Martin Luther King's death. He kept the momentum going well on through the 70’s and 80’s. He gave African Americans their own show, the first of its kind. In this show he was able to show African Americans in a new light, creating a Black is Beautiful Campaign.〔(PBS )〕 Before he did this, African Americans were seldom seen on television. Soul Train showcased their culture and brought African American musicians and dancers to television.〔(The Huffington Post )〕 This show even appealed to white audiences and it got huge attention.〔(CNN )〕 It was one of the most groundbreaking television shows ever.〔(NPR )〕 Besides his smooth and deep voice and afro (which slowly shrunk over the years as hairstyle tastes changed), Cornelius was best known for the catchphrase that he used to close the show: "... and you can bet your last money, it's all gonna be a stone gas, honey! I'm Don Cornelius, and as always in parting, we wish you love, peace and soul!" After Cornelius's departure, it was shortened to "...and as always, we wish you love, peace and soul!" and was used through the most recent new episodes in 2006. Another introductory phrase he often used was: "We got another sound comin' out of Philly that's a sure 'nough dilly". He had a small number of film roles, most notably as record producer Moe Fuzz in 1988's ''Tapeheads''. Cornelius last appeared on the episode of the TV series ''Unsung'' featuring Full Force, which was aired two days before his death. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Don Cornelius」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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