Season 35 • Episode 16
LatestSoul Train is an American musical variety show that aired in syndication from 1971 to 2006. In its 35-year history, the show primarily featured performances by R&B, soul, and hip hop artists, although funk, jazz, disco, and gospel artists have also appeared. The series was created by Don Cornelius, who also served as its first host and executive producer. Production was suspended following the 2005–06 season, with a rerun package airing for two years after that. As a nod to Soul Train's longevity, the show's opening sequence contained a claim that it was the "longest-running first-run, nationally syndicated program in television history," with over 1,100 episodes produced from the show's debut through the 2005-06 season. Despite the production hiatus, Soul Train will continue to hold this honor until at least 2016, if and when its nearest competitor, Entertainment Tonight, completes its 35th season.
Production
That iconic animated train logo—still unmatched.
Costume
Fashion evolution from afros to early hip-hop drip.
Direction
Don Cornelius's velvet voice and unflappable cool.
Creator
Don Cornelius
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Soul Train was the first nationally syndicated Black-owned TV show, created after Cornelius couldn't get hired by Dick Clark.
The famous 'Scramble Board' misspelled artists' names so often it became a running joke—production values, baby.
US
