Don Cornelius Dead: Al Sharpton Pays Tribute, Shows Footage Of 'Soul Train' Appearance

Al Sharpton paid tribute to the late Don Cornelius during his MSNBC show on Wednesday. Cornelius, who was found dead earlier that day, created the groundbreaking music and dance show, "Soul Train."

Sharpton called Cornelius a legend, and "one of the coolest, hippest hosts on TV." He attributed Cornelius and the show to launching the careers of some of the biggest African American performers, including Aretha Franklin, The Jackson 5, Gladys Knight & the Pips and more.

Sharpton also played video footage of his 1974 "Soul Train" appearance when he was just 19 years old. Sharpton went on the program to honor who he called his "surrogate father and mentor," James Brown. On the show, he presented Brown with a "black record" for his gold record, "Pay Back." As the young activist presented Brown with the framed black record, he told Brown that the record was "relevant and say many of the things young Blacks have tried to say."

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Comments

[mapmaker515]

05:52 PM on 02/05/2012

As a liberal Dem who watches MSNBC regularly, I can't believe Al Sharpton gets a show while a guy like Thom Hartmann sits the bench. It's painful to watch Sharpton yell at his guests and read a teleprompter like he's in a reading GED class.

[ruffmama]

06:20 PM on 02/04/2012

Well done, Rev....and RIP, Don.

[Huzie]

05:31 PM on 02/04/2012

As a New Yorker, I was never a big fan of Al Sharpton. I was impressed by his speech at the 2004 Democratic Convention. He is not always articulate, but he is interesting and his stance on issues have become reasonable. His show on MSNBC is pretty interesting. Man did he ever look like a mustachioed cherub backin the day.

[Billyguitar]

01:14 PM on 02/04/2012

I always watched Soul Train because of the singers and bands. Sometimes they synced but they often played Live. It was a great show back in the day. It wouldn't be the same with Rap etc..

[Barbara DeZan]

12:07 AM on 02/04/2012

I loved Soul Train........

And, wasn't the Rev a little cutie though....

[Hwrd Sprague]

10:16 AM on 02/04/2012

Resist we much !!

[Moderate Independent]

02:18 PM on 02/03/2012

Loved Don Cornelius. Truly a tragic ending. One of my favorite shows growing up, that's for sure. That show literally taught a generation of youth how to dance and how to be down with the latest dance crazes. And the music! Just fabulous.

Now to Sharpton. What has he ever done to deserve the celebrity status he gets? Why do so many black people remain silent and let this guy set the agenda and frame the argument for causes in the black community? He is a joke.

[Dan Slander]

01:08 PM on 02/03/2012

DC was the Black Mr. Relaxation with the smoothest style and coolest most self assured speaking voice in the business. Peace, love, soul Don.

[Coherent1]

12:49 PM on 02/03/2012

Look at Al! Looking like Rerun from What's Happening....with a press & curl, lol! You go Big AL!

RIP, Don.

[klamothe]

01:11 PM on 02/03/2012

Oddly enough, on the documentary Sharpton showed, there was a segment about whose careers started on Soul Train. One of the dancers was Fred Berry, the actor who played Rerun. I hope they show the whole documentary again. RIP Mr. Cornelius.

[dwill123]

08:53 AM on 02/03/2012

Now we know who ate ALL the Blueberry pie. Love you Al.

[Lo Chiaro]

08:40 PM on 02/02/2012

He and his amazing show taught many an anxiety ridden teenager - like this commentator - how to dance with confidence and panache at the prom.

How I tried to figure out those moves "The Lockers," laid down! ! ! !

Many thanks, Don Cornelius. A man of style and elegance. RIP

[Patrice2012]

07:31 PM on 02/02/2012

What a chubbie little cutie that Al was. I see he was one of those born leaders, leading at the young age of 19....very impressive. I can see now why he's so maligned by the racists and those influenced by them. Targeting black leaders, especially natural born leaders is not uncommon for them.

I'm so sorry to hear about Mr. Cornelius's death. Soul Train was THE show in the 70's. 80's and beyond, not so much, in my opinion.

[JohnDewey]

11:07 AM on 02/03/2012

Sharpton was a, "boy preacher," back when that was popular. He preached his first sermon when he was a toddler and was on the road with Mahalia Jackson by the age of six or something crazy like that.

[Patrice2012]

09:06 PM on 02/03/2012

Yes, I heard about that. He's quite impressive. I understand why he and our wonderful Prez click.

[Madmac]

07:12 PM on 02/02/2012

Here's all anyone needs to know about how much pull Don Cornelius had. In addition to all the legendary performers who appeared on it, Elton John, David Bowie

[ScorpioTop]

06:04 PM on 02/02/2012

Tragic. Another life lost to gun use.

[vobox3343]

04:47 PM on 02/02/2012

I knew there had to be a reason for the hairdo. You go, Al!

[kkdkdkdkdk]

04:20 PM on 02/02/2012

Little Al wasn't so little when he was 19.

[Barbara DeZan]

12:08 AM on 02/04/2012

He wasn't so little when he was 35 either....

But, he sure buffed himself up find, didn't he?

[kkdkdkdkdk]

05:59 AM on 02/04/2012

As soon as little Al stopped eating all those blueberry pies, yes, he did put the weight off and looks healthy and fit now.