Don Cornelius, 72, Creator Of "Soul Train," Arrested on Suspicion Of Domestic Violence

It's the SOOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUL TRAIN!

"Soul Train" was a regular part of my Saturday regiment during my teenage years. Pop music has always had shows like American Bandstand to sing its praises, but R&B music had its own Soul Train. Don Cornelius, 72, was a powerful person in the black community because he brought us acts that the mainstream media ignored. It was very disheartening to learn that he was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence, police said Saturday.

Police were called to his Hollywood Hills home late Friday after someone reported a domestic dispute, Officer Sam Park said. He was taken to jail, where he was booked for investigation of felony domestic violence, Park said. He was released on $50,000 bail and ordered to appear in court next month. Park said he did not know whom Cornelius was suspected of assaulting. It is really sad to Mr. Cornelius faced with the prospect of going to prison, especially in his old age.

Cornelius started "Soul Train" in 1970 to showcase black music and culture, introducing television audiences to such legendary artists as Patti Labelle, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and Barry White. The series spawned a franchise that includes the Soul Train Music Awards, the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards and the Soul Train Christmas Starfest. He stepped down as "Soul Train" host in 1993. I can still hear Don Cornelius saying "we wish you nothing but LOVE, PEACE AND SOUL. Isn't Don Cornelius way too old for this crap?