Don Cornelius was an American television show host who was born in Chicago, Illinois, the USA, on September 27, 1936, as Donald Cortez Cornelius.
Early Life
He was raised in the neighborhood of Bronzeville, on the south side of Chicago.
He studied arts from DuSable high school and graduated in 1954. After that, he Joined U.S Marines Corps and served in the Korean airbase for 18 months.
Soon after he returned to the USA from the Korean base in 1956, he got married to the childhood love of his life Deloris Harrison and had kids shortly.
Anthony Cornelius, his first child, was born in 1958, while his second child Raymond Cornelius was born in 1959.
Career Struggle
Due to a shortage of money, he worked as a salesman and used to sell tires, automobiles, cars, and insurance and started making a good amount weekly.
He worked at several positions following the military service, including an officer with the Chicago police department.
However, Cornelious was always passionate about arts and wanted to pursue the field of media, i.e., radio.
While struggling between making money and choosing a career, don Cornelious took a three-month course of broadcasting course as an opportunity to grow his career.
With only $400 in his bank account and a family to feed, Don Cornelious had a formidable challenge to pursue his passion, and it turned out to be a wise decision.
Soon after completing the course, he started working part-time as an announcer, news reporter, and disc jockey on a Chicago radio station with WVON.
The pay wasn’t good enough, but he was fulfilling his ambition.
He stated, ‘I filled in as an all-around substitute at WVON. I felt I had to justify my job there. It was a very black station. I was sitting in for DJs and newspeople, doing public affairs outside the station, doing the talk show, and doing commercials.’
Soul Train
Later in 1967, Don Cornelius joined Chicago television station WCIU-TV and hosted a news program called A Black’s View of the News.
In 1970, The host pitched the idea of his show SOUL TRAIN, which the management agreed to as they were already attempting ethnic programming.
So on the same news channel, Don Cornelious also launched Soul Train as a daily local show. The show’s name was inspired by the show he hosted for WVON. The black music format was something different and attracted the management.
However, he still needed a sponsor for the program to air on the TV.
None in the corporate community approved his idea until he met George O’Hare, a Sears, Roebuck & Co merchandise manager who offered him help.
Cornelious commented, ‘ George was a guy that… was always receptive to new concepts. When I went in, I expected him to tell me what so many others had said about programming for Blacks. The theory that Blacks ‘need’ cultural or historical programs and not necessarily entertainment.”
Finally, In August 1970, the first Soul Train premiered on WCIU-TV channel 26.
The show centered on a live appearance by singer Jerry Butler [then of the Impressions] and dancers and myself in some goofy outfit we came up with, ” Cornelius related in Billboard. “But aside from the fact that it was the most inexpensive package imaginable, it was basically what we do today, same style and attitude.”
The program was moved to Los Angeles the following year. The national Debut episode was performed by Eddie Kendricks, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Bobby Hutton, and Honey Cone.
Don Cornelious solely was the writer, producer, and advertiser of the show. Soon after the show aired, it was trending among the blacks as Chicago’s number one show. After a lot of struggling and high ratings of the show, Don was able to take Wate-On, Joe Louis Milk, and Coca-Cola on board and join Sears as sponsors.
National Broadcast
Don started working on a national broadcast Soul Train show carried across the country. The sho was sponsored by George Johnson, president of Johnson Products, a black-owned hair and facial cosmetics manufacturer, and the audience was composed to be the same as the firm’s buyer.
His program introduced many African-American musicians to a broad audience and allowed dancers for dancing programs.
Due to his show, black singers like Mickael Jackson, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye got an ex[osure in the singing world.
Cornelius said, “We had a show that kids gravitated to,” and Spike Lee described the program as an “urban music time capsule.”
The show’s ratings finally made it to the white audience and grew and got a pretty massive following.
He also worked in numerous films in a side role. He last shared screen on the Unsung TV series, which aired just two days before his departure.
Controversies
The host was also accused of locking up and violently sexually assaulting two young playboys bunnies.
Similar Story: Don Lemon Faces Sexual Assault Allegations from Three Years Ago
Masten alleged Cornelius asked the “Baby Bunnies” if they wanted to go back to his house throwing a party.
“These two young girls got in his Rolls-Royce, went up to his house and we didn’t hear from them for three days,” Masten alleged, as quoted by the outlet. “We couldn’t figure out where they were.”
According to Masten, Don was a VIP playboy and popular among girls. After being caught up for three days, one of the girls called a bunny mother, and later they were released from Cornelius’ house.
Death or Suicide
On 1st Feb 2012, the host died at his own home at Mulholland Drive, Los Angeles, California. The United States by a self gunshot to head. Reports say that he might have Alzheimer’s disease.
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