R.I.P. Don Cornelius

Today we said goodbye to an icon. People all over the world welcomed Don Cornelius into their homes every Saturday for 35 seasons, introducing them to some of the time's (and today's) biggest artists. A performer hadnt "arrived" until he or she played Soul Train, "the hippest trip in America."

I remember the scramble board, the chinese girl (dancer) and I even remember Jody Watley and Jermaine whats-his-face when they were dancing on there before becoming 2/3 of the group Shalamar, along with Howard Hewitt. Some of my favorite performances on that show include The Jackson 5, Michael Jackson (of course), Janet Jackson, The Boys, Taste of Honey, DeBarge and Stacy Lattisaw. If you get bored tonight, go youtube some of those.

Its sad how Don met his demise - an apparent suicide, per the reports - but when your life is defined by something of such magnitude, I can imagine it hard to exist without it. What's crazy is that I called it. I said, after BET honored him for lifetime achievement a couple of years ago, that he'd kill himself. I wonder if any of my friends remember that.

*sigh*

Well anyway, so long, Don. Your place in history is forever engraved as a result of YOUR vision. No matter what happened in the board room back in 2006, nobody will ever be able to take that away from you. One last time for the man....

Love,
Peace,
And Sooooooouuuuul......!

R.I.P. man.