RIP Don Cornelius

Darned shame, Soul Train creator Don Cornelius was found dead this morning of apparent suicide. Health issues may have been a factor. (but not an excuse!)

I don't know how many of you are old enough to remember Soul Train, but it was the thing to watch back in the day. Especially if you were a youngster, white or black, afraid of looking like a shot albatross on the dance floor. You could dance along with the Soul Train Line, knocking over lamps in the living room and stepping on dogs (this is why we can't have anything nice) and by the time the school dance came around, you'd be ready.

You were still too afraid to ask an actual girl to dance, but if the gymnasium was invaded by some crazed aliens who shot ray-guns in the air and demanded to human dancing, "You, yes you, we want to see you dance with that pretty girl over there," you'd be ready.

BTW - that's Mary Wilson and Jean Terrell (of the Supremes) that Don is dancing with. Notice the hair. All through the 70's those afro's posed a significant fire hazard. But they were so cool. Also, notice the men's pants. They all fit, and the waist line was at the actual waist, not, you know, somehow magically between the knees and butt.

Rest in peace Don.