Don Cornelius, ‘Soul Train’ creator, dies at age 75

The legendary music show host was found dead at his home in Sherman Oaks, Calif.

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March 6, 2006

Don Cornelius, photographed at his office in Los Angeles, launched “Soul Train” in Chicago in 1970 and it quickly became a seminal part of black culture.

Damian Dovarganes / AP

An undated photo of Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., center, being interviewed by "Soul Train" show host and producer Don Cornelius, right.

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Dec. 8, 1972

Don Cornelius signs autographs for fans in the hair and beauty department at Woolworth's in Washington.

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Jim Brown, left, and Fred Williamson talk with host Don Cornelius on "Soul Train" in this undated photo.

/ The Washington Post

Don Cornelius hosts "Soul Train" in this undated photo.

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Host Don Cornelius moderates the "Soul Train" Scramble Board.

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The Staple Singers and Don Cornelius, right, on "Soul Train."

/ Publicity picture

Singer Aretha Franklin with Don Cornelius. Franklin was one of many entertainers who performed on "Soul Train" in the 1970’s, part of the Soul Train 30th anniversary "Divas and Kings 2000 & Beyond."

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Singer Diana Ross with show host and producer Don Cornelius. Ross was one of many entertainers who performed on "Soul Train" in the 1970's, part of the Soul Train 30th anniversary "Divas and Kings 2000 & Beyond."

Tribune Entertainment / Getty Images

Feb. 27, 1997

Television producer Don Cornelius kneels in front of photographers near his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame during an unveiling ceremony in Los Angeles.

John Hayes / AP

Feb. 27, 2001

Don Cornelius, creator of the 30-year-old syndicated dance show "Soul Train," meets with script supervisor Allison Miller during rehearsals for the 15th annual “Soul Train Awards” show at the Shrine auditorium in Los Angeles.

Kim D. Johnson / AP

Feb. 27, 2001

Don Cornelius, creator of the 30-year-old syndicated dance show "Soul Train," walks near the stage during rehearsals for the 15th annual “Soul Train Awards” show at the Shrine auditorium in Los Angeles.

Kim D. Johnson / AP

July 23, 2002

Singer Jill Scott, left, a co-host of the “Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards,” and the show's executive producer, Don Cornelius, chat after the nominees were announced in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Ric Francis / AP

Oct. 10, 2002

Former Los Angeles police chief Bernard Parks, Bobbie Parks, Rodney Jerkins, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Ms. Don Cornelius, Don Cornelius attend the Fifth Annual Rainbow/PUSH Coalition Awards Dinner at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images

Feb. 1, 2005

From left to right: Actor/recording artist Nick Cannon and producer Don Cornelius attend the 19th annual “Soul Train Music Awards” nomination announcements for 2005 during a press conference at Spago Restaurant in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images

Feb. 28, 2005

R&B performer Usher and Soul Train producer Don Cornelius arrive at the 19th annual “Soul Train Music Awards” at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles.

Vince Bucci / Getty Images

March 13, 2005

Producer Don Cornelius, right, accepts the "Discretionary Award — Pop Culture" with Mya, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder and Ashanti on stage the 2005 TV Land Awards at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif.

Kevin Winter / Getty Images

Aug. 9, 2005

From left to right: Actor Dorian Gregory and producer Don Cornelius attend the 10th annual “Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards” nominations at the Spago Restaurant in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images

Sept. 7, 2005

From left to right: Soul Train Producer Don Cornelius, producer Babyface and singer Stevie Wonder onstage at the 10th annual “Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards” held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, Calif.

Kevin Winter / Getty Images

Feb. 2, 2006

Producer Don Cornelius attends the 20th anniversary “Soul Train Music Awards” nominations at the Spago Restaurant in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images

March 6, 2006

Don Cornelius poses at his office in Los Angeles.

Damian Dovarganes / AP

Feb. 10, 2007

Producer Don Cornelius and wife Victoria arrive at the Clive Davis pre-Grammy party held at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Vince Bucci / Getty Images

June 28, 2009

Don Cornelius presents the BET Lifetime Achievement Award onstage during the 2009 BET Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

Kevin Winter / Getty Images

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