Don Cornelius was married twice in his lifetime. His first marriage was to Delores Harrison, a schoolteacher whom he wed in 1963. The two were married for 12 years before their divorce in 1975.
His second marriage was to Rita Wright, an actress, who he married in 1985. This marriage only lasted five years, ending in 1990.
Unfortunately, Don Cornelius never had any children with either of his wives.
What did Don Cornelius suffer from?
Don Cornelius suffered from chronic pain and deep depression. The pain began in the early 2000s and was largely invisible, as he often put on a brave face and continued to host Soul Train and make radio appearances until the very end.
After he left Soul Train in 1993, Don Cornelius suffered from both physical and mental health issues, which became worse with time. He suffered from chronic back pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, osteoarthritis, and anxiety.
He also had disabling migraines and depression, and was taking several medications for his ailments. Sadly, Don Cornelius took his own life in 2012, but his legacy lives on in the form of Soul Train, a show that changed the landscape of African-American representation in media.
How old was Don Cornelius when he died?
Don Cornelius was 75 years old when he died. He was found dead in his Sherman Oaks home on February 1, 2012, and police later determined that his death was a suicide. Cornelius was an iconic figure in American television and music, having created the iconic music show Soul Train and hosting it for more than 35 years.
He is widely credited with inspiring and exposing generations to different types of black music, helping to bridge the gap between different musical genres, and celebrating the black experience in America.
Who did Don Cornelius Sell Soul Train to?
Don Cornelius sold Soul Train to MadVision Entertainment in 2008. MadVision was a music, video and digital distribution company, founded by producer/executive Vivek Tiwary and music attorney/executive Matt Farber.
Cornelius and Farber had long been friends and in early 2008 agreed to a deal for MadVision to acquire Soul Train, which owned rights to the library of 106 episodes of the TV show, as well as 8,000 hours of music and dance footage.
The acquisition was officially announced in April 2008. The company hoped to repurpose and monetize the library of Soul Train content, as well as launch a “state-of-the-art” multi-label music distribution network.
However, MadVision filed for bankruptcy in 2011 and the Soul Train library was then acquired by InterMedia Partners in 2012. The Soul Train library is now managed by InterMedia’s multimedia division, which includes other intellectual property such as the Oprah Winfrey Network.
Who owns Soul Train now?
The Soul Train brand is owned by InterMedia Partners, LP, a private equity firm based out of New York City. Soul Train was originally owned by Don Cornelius, who founded the iconic dance and music show in 1970.
It ran until 2006, when it was sold to MadVision Entertainment, a production company. In 2008, InterMedia Partners purchased MadVision Entertainment and acquired Soul Train in the same transaction. The company now produces special events and merchandise related to the Soul Train brand, and licenses the brand for use in media and television.
What is a Soul Train death meaning?
A “Soul Train death” is a colloquial term used to describe the unfortunate circumstance of a participant receiving the least number of votes during a Soul Train-type dance competition. Participating in these competitions is a two-part process – first, dancers compete for votes by demonstrating their individual dance moves and styles, with the top-scoring participant, or “soul train winner,” advancing to the next round.
During this round, individual performers are also scored on their crowd control skills, how well they can control the dance line, and how engaged the crowd becomes. The one participant who receives the lowest cumulative score is said to have “died,” resulting in their elimination from the competition.
The term “Soul Train Death” was coined because it is the dance equivalent of being voted “off the island” in a reality show.
Is Don Cornelius still living from Soul Train?
No, unfortunately, Don Cornelius passed away in 2012 due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was a well-loved television host and founder of the iconic show Soul Train, which he hosted from 1971 to 1993.
Don was born in 1936 and grew up in Chicago, Illinois. He attended DuSable High School, served in the Marines and worked as a radio disc jockey at several Chicago radio stations. While working at WVON, he created an audition showcase for young singers and dancers dubbed Soul Train, which was picked up by a Chicago TV station in 1970.
The show changed the face of music and television in the 1970s and 1980s, becoming the longest-running, first-of-its-kind music program in TV history and introducing the world to some of today’s biggest stars such as Michael Jackson, Prince, Tina Turner and many more.
Sadly, Don took his own life in February of 2012. He left behind a legacy of innovation and cultural impact with the creation and success of Soul Train. His death was a shock to fans all over the world, and despite his absence, Soul Train still lives on as a testament to his contributions to music and television.
Why did the host of Soul Train killed himself?
It is not entirely clear why Soul Train’s host, Don Cornelius, committed suicide in 2012 at the age of 75. Reports have indicated that he had been suffering from several physical ailments, and some suggest that a brain tumor may have been one of those issues.
Furthermore, in 2011, he had been arrested and pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor domestic violence charge. He was reported to be suffering from depression in the years prior to his death, and it is possible that this disturbance along with his physical conditions and legal matters could have been factors that ultimately led him to end his life.
He was reportedly also known to have had a difficult relationship with his son, causing further strain. In the end, we may never know the exact impetus in his decision to take his own life, but whatever it was, it was profoundly tragic, and it was a true loss to the entertainment community.
What does it mean if a train stops an ambulance?
If a train stops an ambulance, it likely means that the ambulance is stuck on the train tracks and is unable to move until the train has cleared the area. This can present a serious safety issue since it is possible for the ambulance to become stuck on the tracks and be unable to move out of the way of an oncoming train.
It is important for drivers of both an ambulance and a train to remain alert and aware at all times in order to avoid these kinds of situations. Depending on the situation, the train may be able to slow down before reaching the ambulance and give it enough time to move out of the way.
If the train cannot slow down in time, the operator may be forced to stop and wait until it is safe to proceed. In certain cases, it may be necessary for the train operator to get in contact with the railroad company to have another train bring them around the stopped vehicle.
Is Tony Cornelius the son of Don Cornelius?
No, Tony Cornelius is not the son of Don Cornelius. Don Cornelius was the creator and original host of the iconic TV show Soul Train, and he passed away in 2012. Tony Cornelius is a film maker and producer who has worked on films and projects associated with Don Cornelius’ Soul Train, such as the documentary Soul Train 25: The Music, Dance, and Style of a Generation.
However, there is no direct relation between Don and Tony Cornelius.
How much did the Soul Train dancers make?
The exact amount that Soul Train dancers made is not publicly known, as it was likely determined by individual contracts with production companies and choreographers. However, anonymous sources have indicated that members of the Soul Train dance line received a base salary of $400 – $500 per week for the first several seasons.
On top of this base salary, dancers were sometimes offered additional incentives or bonuses, depending on their contracts. Some dancers were reportedly offered an additional $100 per episode of Soul Train after the first several seasons.
It’s possible that as dancers became more experienced and sought after, they could negotiate higher salaries. A few of the more experienced and recognizable dancers have even mentioned that they were making a few thousand dollars per episode.
Ultimately, it is difficult to know exactly how much the Soul Train dancers made, since their contracts and salaries likely varied on a case-by-case basis.
Who was the white guy on Soul Train?
The white guy on Soul Train was infamous for his dance moves and lack of rhythm, known as “The Klumps” or “The White Guy” (he was always seen wearing a white suit on the show). He was actually the show’s announcer, Don Cornelius himself.
Although Cornelius was the show’s creator and host, he often took to the stage to dance alongside the show’s many talents. His goofy and eccentric moves were often a source of laughter. He was even known to get down with an entire high-stepping troupe of kids as if he were one of them.
Cornelius’ dance steps and his enthusiastic attitude made him an unforgettable figure in Soul Train’s history, and his presence will always be remembered fondly.