Marvin Gaye interview & more on Soul Train

[KnightD12]

VH1 TV Shows | Music Videos | Celebrity Photos | News & Gossip

VH1 TV Shows | Music Videos | Celebrity Photos | News & Gossip

This one contains a whole lot of performers. Just move the slide to choose the video.

[KnightD12]

It's the 'Sooouuuullll Train' documentary! On VH1, honey! USA TODAY

Back in the 1970s, if there was a party on a Saturday night, the fly dances being done probably had been scoped out on TV that afternoon. Teenagers — and their parents, too — knew that being down with the latest moves and styles meant getting your ticket punched by Don Cornelius.

Soul Train: The Hippest Trip in America, a 90-minute VH1 Rock Docs film celebrating the 40th anniversary of the culturally influential music show Cornelius created, premiered ( Feb 6th ) Saturday (9:30 p.m. ET/PT). Soul Train would chug across screens for 1,100 episodes, giving hundreds of R&B, soul, funk, blues and pop stars national exposure and opening a window to African-American culture for mainstream viewers. On the air from 1970 to 2006 (two years of reruns followed), it became the longest first-run series in syndication history.

Terrence Howard narrates the film, which was scored by Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson of The Roots and features commentary from Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Sly Stone, Clive Davis, Smokey Robinson, Snoop Dogg and others.

In 1970, none of the prominent dance shows, including American Bandstand, routinely featured black artists or teens. But a Chicago journalist with a sonorous baritone had an idea to change all that. "The primary mission was to provide exposure for people who didn't get invited to The Mike Douglas Show or (Johnny) Carson," says Cornelius, 73, who started Soul Train on Chicago's WCIU before moving it to Los Angeles and syndication a year later.

Cornelius, a former DJ, was able to tap into Chicago's wealth of musical talent (Jerry Butler, Curtis Mayfield, The Emotions, The Chi-Lites) to give his fledgling show star power. Gladys Knight & the Pips did the syndication pilot, and Chicago-based Johnson Products Company, makers of Afro Sheen, signed on as sponsor. The show soon had artists clamoring to appear and ultimately featured future Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, one-hit wonders and everybody in between.

But it was the teens who really stoked the engine with their flamboyant outfits and flashy dance steps. The original dancers were recruited from recreation centers around L.A., and later dancers needed a referral from someone already on the show. Singer Jody Watley, who started dancing on the show when she was 14, remembers weekend tapings that would start at 9 a.m. and last into the night.

"There were no choreographers and stylists," Watley says. "You had to look cool. We didn't get paid for it. We did it for the love of dancing and to be seen. All we got was a cold Kentucky Fried Chicken box and a soda."

Cornelius sold the franchise to MadVision Entertainment in 2008. In addition to the documentary, a Soul Train movie is under consideration, and there's a deal with Time Life to release DVDs of the vintage shows. So even in retirement, Cornelius will still be heard giving his famous sign-off: "And you can bet your last money, it's gonna be a stone gas, honey! ... We wish you love, peace and soul!"

[Edie Antoinette]

Oh how I love your work. Always excellent+. I'll be back. I'm doing something--but I will def be back!!!

[KnightD12]

I just hate I Missed the 90 mins Soul Train documentary on VH1. It was on last Feb 13 and I don`t see if they gonna show it again. :( Those old Soul Train tapes are as clear as a bell. Notice how crisp this clip is?

[Edie Antoinette]

Beautifully done Gene. Just superb!

I enjoyed the read. What did Jody Watley say? a "cold box of Kentucky Colonel and a soda"??? LOL!
The videos are outstanding in quality and that's one of the things that I truly love! FANTASTIC! Marvin
...Marvin....MARVIN!!!!!! ♥ Thank you Gene, for the MArvin and the VH1!!!! *thunderous applause*

[KnightD12]

I noticed that 'Box of cold chicken ' too. That mean that Don didn`t have much overhead. lol

[Shelley "SoleMann" King]

Dude in the Red Shirt and Suspenders got mad at his Lady because she wasn't paying him no attention while Marvin was singing before that interview....ROFLMBO

[Shelley "SoleMann" King]

The Hippest Trip in America....Love it Gene my Brother. That Sylvers video is one of my new favorites, i loveeeeee Shy Olympia Sylvers....LOL

[KnightD12]

Collectively The Silvers have to have more hair on their heads than any group Eva! haha

[Edie Antoinette]

They sure did have some naturals--as we called em.