Founder and popular host of Soul Train, Don Cornelius was found dead Wednesday of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head at the age of 75. Cornelius opened up many avenues to African Americans with the airing of Soul Train. According to it's website, Soul Train  is the longest running nationally syndicated program in the history of television. During it's 37 year run, the show played a host to performers such as Elton John, Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, Al Green, Whitney Houston, and Janet Jackson. Many dance crazes were started on the show..

Soul Train can also be credited for the start of many careers from that of actress Rosie Perez to Jeff Gerald of the group Shalamar. Many have written about their disbelief of Corneliu's passing via Facebook and Twitter, including Rev. Al Sharpton who wrote "I am shocked and grief stricken by the reported news of the suicide of Don Cornelius, the creator of Soul Train" and "Had it not been for Don Cornelius we would not have ever transcended from the Chitlin circuit to become mainstream cultural trendsetters".

Don Cornelius leaves behind two children from his first marriage.