Soul 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.
CreatorDon Cornelius
Gladys Knight & the Pips/Eddie Kendricks/The Honey Cone/Bobby Hutton
Oct 2, 1971
Gladys Knight & the Pips, Eddie Kendricks, The Honey Cone, Bobby Hutton
Charlie Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Band/Carla Thomas/General Crook
Oct 9, 1971
Charlie Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Band, Carla Thomas, General Crook
Chairmen of the Board/Rufus Thomas/Laura Lee
Oct 16, 1971
Chairmen of the Board, Rufus Thomas, Laura Lee
Staple Singers/ Freda Payne
Oct 23, 1971
-Staple Singers ""Express Yourself"" and ""Heavy Makes You Happy"" --Freda Payne ""Band of Gold"" and ""Bring the Boys Home""
Bill Withers/Al Green/Viola Wills
Oct 30, 1971
Bill Withers, Al Green, Viola Wills
Lou Rawls/The 100 Proof/The Emotions
Nov 6, 1971
Lou Rawls, The 100 Proof, The Emotions
Martha & the Vandellas/ The Intruders/ G.C. Cameron
Nov 13, 1971
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas - "Dancing In The Street", "Love Makes Me Do Foolish Things" and "Bless You." The Intruders - "I Bet He Don't Love You (Like I Love You)" & "Cowboys To Girls." G.C. Cameron - "Act Like A Shotgun." English
Friends of Distinction/Clarence Carter
Nov 20, 1971
Friends of Distinction, Clarence Carter
The Chambers Brothers/The Five Stairsteps
Nov 27, 1971
The Chambers Brothers, The Five Stairsteps
Jr. Walker & the All Stars/Bobby Womack/Thelma Houston
Dec 4, 1971
Jr. Walker & the All Stars, Bobby Womack, Thelma Houston
Jean Knight/The Delfonics/Maurice Jackson/Ralfi Pagan
Dec 11, 1971
Jean Knight, The Delfonics, Maurice Jackson, Ralfi Pagan
The Chi-Lites/Joe Tex/The Originals
Dec 18, 1971
The Chi-Lites, Joe Tex, The Originals
Gene Chandler/Simtec & Wylie/The Free Movement
Dec 25, 1971
Gene Chandler, Simtec & Wylie, The Free Movement
Wilson Pickett/ Curtis Mayfield/ War
Mar 25, 1972
Curtis Mayfield - "We Got To Have Peace" & "Get Down." War - "All Day Music" & "Slippin' Into Darkness." Wilson Pickett (performing live) - "Fire and Water," "I'm In Love" and "Don't Knock My Love.
Ike & Tina Turner/ Jerry Butler/ Brenda Lee Eager
Apr 22, 1972
Ike & Tina Turner - "I Want To Take You Higher," "Feels Good" and "Proud Mary" --Jerry Butler and Brenda Lee Eager "Close to You" --Jerry Butler "I Only Have Eyes for You"
Isley Brothers/ Luther Ingram
Sep 16, 1972
The Isley Brothers "Work to Do" and "Lay Lady Lay." Luther Ingram "If Loving You is Wrong, I Don't Wanna Be Right" and "Missing You." Singer Melba Moore makes a cameo appearance. Heshimu, the actor who plays Jason Allen on the ABC-TV series "Room 222," is interviewed.
Gladys Knight & the Pips/ The O'Jays/ Major Lance
Sep 23, 1972
Gladys Knight & The Pips - "Help Me Make It Through the Night," "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" and "Daddy Could Swear, I Declare." --The O'Jays - "Deeper (In Love With You)" and "Back Stabbers." --Major Lance - "Since I Lost My Baby's Love.
The Jackson Five
Oct 7, 1972
The Jackson 5 - "I Want You Back," "Corner of the Sky" and "Lookin' Through the Windows." Jermaine Jackson - "That's How Love Goes" and "Daddy's Home."
Episode 36
Sep 28, 1991
No description available.
Bill Withers/ Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes
Oct 21, 1972
Bill Withers ""Lean on Me"" and ""Use Me"" --Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes ""I Miss You"" and ""If You Don't Know Me By Now
Joe Simon/ Sylvers/ Billy Paul
Nov 4, 1972
Joe Simon - "Power of Love." The Sylvers - "Wish That I Could Talk to You." and "Fool's Paradise" Billy Paul - "Me and Mrs. Jones."
Curtis Mayfield/ The Main Ingredient/ Hank Ballard
Jan 6, 1973
Curtis Mayfield - "Superfly," "Pusherman" and "Freddie's Dead." The Main Ingredient - "Everybody Plays The Fool" and "You've Got To Take It (If You Want It)." Hank Ballard - "From The Love Side."
Stevie Wonder/ The Moments/ Fully Guaranteed
Jan 13, 1973
Stevie Wonder ""Signed Sealed Delivered"" and ""Superstition"" --The Moments ""Just Becuase He Wants To Make Love"" and ""My Thing"" --Fully Guaranteed ""We Can Make It Together""
James Brown
Feb 19, 1973
-James Brown - ""Get On The Good Foot,"" ""Soul Power,"" ""Make It Funky,"" ""Cold Sweat,"" ""Try Me,"" ""Hot Pants,"" ""Get Up (I Feel Like A) Sex Machine,"" ""Super Bad,"" ""Please Please, Please"" and ""Say It Loud I'm Black and I'm Proud"" --Lyn Collins - Never Gonna Give You Up"" English
The Four Tops/ Otis Clay
Feb 17, 1973
The Four Tops ""Keeper of the Castle"", ""I Must be Dreaming"", and ""Ain't No Woman Like the One I got"" --Otis Clay ""Trying to Live My Life Without You"" Also, The Soul Train dance contest finals took place. With James Brown and Don C. looking on, three couples: Damita Jo Freeman and Jimmy Fosters; Pat Davis and Gary Keys; Connie Platino and Lamont Peterson... fought their way to a Johnson Products $10,000 scholarship and worldwide dancer acclaim.
The Spinners/ Sisters Love
Feb 24, 1973
-The Spinners - ""I'll Be Around,"" ""Could It Be I'm Falling In Love"" and ""How Could I Let You Get Away"" --Sisters Love ""(I Could Never Make) A Better Man than You"" and ""Give Me Your Love""
Al Green/ Mel & Tim
Mar 3, 1973
Al Green ""You Ought to be with Me,"" ""For the Good Times"" and ""Love and Happiness"" --Mel & Tim ""Starting All Over Again"" and "I May Not Be What You Want"
Aretha Franklin
Apr 14, 1973
Aretha Franklin sings several of her classics including "Respect," "(Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone," "Think," "Call Me," "Spanish Harlem," "Rock Steady," "Oh Me Oh My (I'm A Fool For You Baby)" and "Day Dreaming." The 'Queen of Soul' also performs her latest release "Master of Eyes (The Deepness Of Your Eyes)." Plus, an interview with Aretha's brother, the Reverend Cecil Franklin.
The Supremes/ Lloyd Price
May 12, 1973
The Supremes - "Floy Joy," "Bad Weather", "I Guess I'll Miss the Man" and "Stoned Love" Lloyd Price "Just for Baby" and "Love Music"
Chuck Berry/ Maxayn/ Willie Hutch
Jun 7, 1973
Chuck Berry - "Reelin' and Rockin'", "Wee Wee Hours", "Roll em' Pete" and "Johnny B. Goode" Maxayn - "Check Out Your Mind." Willie Hutch - "Slick" and "Brother's Gonna Work It Out." Also: An interview with actor Max Julien (star of the movie "The Mack").
The Best of Soul Train
Aug 11, 1973
James Brown "Make It Funky", "Super Bad" and Medley: "Please, Please, Please" and "Say It Loud - I'm Black And I'm Proud" (10-Feb-1973) James Brown & Teddy Brown (James Brown's son) interview (- 17-Feb-1973) Chuck Berry "Johnny B. Goode" ( 07-Jul-1973) Aretha Franklin "Day Dreaming" ( 14-Apr-1973) Curtis Mayfield "Superfly" (06-Jan-1973) The Temptations "Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are)" and "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone" (, 18-Nov-1972) The Four Tops "Ain't No Woman (Like The One I've Got)" (, 17-Feb-1973) The Supremes "Floy Joy" and "Bad Weather" (, 12-May-1973) Jermaine Jackson feat. Jackson 5 "Daddy's Home" ( 07-Oct-1972) Jackson 5 "I Want You Back" ( 07-Oct-1972) Al Green "For The Good Times" (from , 03-Mar-1973) The O'Jays "Love Train" (from 21-Apr-1973) Stevie Wonder "Soul Train (from ST 13-Jan-1973)
Curtis Mayfield/ Millie Jackson/ Natural Four
Nov 10, 1973
No description available.
Johnny Nash/ Kool & the Gang/ The Originals
Jan 12, 1974
Johnny Nash - "I Can See Clearly," "Ooh, What a Feeling" and "Loving You" Kool & the Gang - "Funky Stuff" and "Jungle Boogie" The Originals - "There's A Chance When You Love You'll Lose"
Curtis Mayfield/ The Main Ingredient/ Bloodstone
Mar 30, 1974
Curtis Mayfield - "Future Shock" and "Future Song (Love A Good Woman, Love A Good Man)" The Main Ingredient - "Just Don't Want to be Lonely" & "Girl Blue" Bloodstone - "Outside Woman" & "Let Me Ride"
The Stylistics/ Bobby Womack/ Undisputed Truth
Apr 13, 1974
The Stylistics - "Rockin' Roll Baby," "Betcha by Golly, Wow," and "You Make Me Feel Brand New" Bobby Womack - "Lookin For A Love" and "Let It Hang Out (Point Of No Return)" Undisputed Truth - "Help Yourself"
Gladys Knight & the Pips/ Lamont Dozier
May 4, 1974
Gladys Knight and the Pips - "Neither One of Us," "Midnight Train to Georgia," "You're the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me," "I Got to Use My Imagination" and "On and On." Lamont Dozier - "Trying to Hold On to My Woman" & "Fish Ain't Bitin'"
Kool & The Gang/ Al Wilson/ Natural Four
Jun 17, 1974
Kool and the Gang - "Funky Stuff," "Hollywood Swinging" and "Jungle Boogie." Al Wilson - "Touch And Go" and "Broken Home." The Natural Four - "Love That Really Counts."
The Four Tops/ Blue Magic/ Barbara Mason
Apr 20, 1974
The Four Tops - "Am I My Brother's Keeper" and "I Just Can't Get You Out of My Mind" Blue Magic - "Look Me Up" and "Stop to Start" Barbara Mason - "World War Three"
James Brown & the First Family of Soul/ Fred Wesley & the JB's/ Lyn Collins
Sep 14, 1974
-James Brown & The First Family Of Soul Featuring Fred Wesley & The JB's - ""Cold Sweat,"" ""I Can't Stand It,"" ""Papa's Got A Brand New Bag,"" ""Hell,"" ""Try Me,"" ""Papa Don't Take No Mess"" & ""My Thang"" --Fred Wesley & the JB's - ""Damn Right, I'm Somebody"" --Lyn Collins ""Rock Me Again & Again & Again"" --Sweet Charles ""Soul Man""
The Moments/ LaBelle/ Carl Carlton
Dec 7, 1974
The Moments ""You've Come a Long Way"" and ""How Can I Love You"" --LaBelle ""Lady Marmalade"" and ""What Can I Do For You"" --Carl Carlton ""Everlasting Love""
The Isley Brothers
Dec 14, 1974
No description available.
Bobby Bland/ Tavares/ Lyn Collins/ Fred Wesley & Steam
Mar 15, 1975
Bobby Bland ""Ain't No Love In The Heart Of The City"" and ""I Wouldn't Treat A Dog (The Way You Treated Me)"" --Lyn Collins ""Baby Don't Do It"" and ""Try a Little Tenderness"" --Fred Wesley & Steam ""Breaking Bread"" and ""Making Love"
Rufus/ David Ruffin
Jan 28, 1975
Rufus featuring Chaka Khan - ""Dance Wit' Me,"" ""Have A Good Time,"" ""Sweet Thing"" & ""Fool's Paradise"" --David Ruffin - ""Walk Away from Love"" & ""Wild Honey"" Additional song? --Rufus featuring Chaka Khan - ""Ooh, I Like Your Loving""
Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes/ Esther Phillips
Nov 22, 1975
Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes ""Hope That We Can be Together Soon"", ""Wake Up Everybody"", ""Bad Luck"" and ""To Be true"" --Esther Phillips ""What a Difference a Day Makes"" and ""You're Coming Home""
Lou Rawls/ L.T.D.
Jan 22, 1977
Lou Rawls ""You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine"" --L.T.D. ""Love to the World"" and ""Love Ballad"
Marvin Gaye
May 7, 1977
Marvin Gaye ""Got To Give It Up"" (Parts 1 & 2),"" ""All The Way Round"" & ""After The Dance""
Teddy Pendergrass/ Rose Royce
Nov 5, 1977
Teddy Pendergrass ""You Can't Hide From Yourself"" and ""The More I Get, The More I Want"" --Rose Royce ""Do Your Dance"", ""Wishing on a Star"" and ""Ooh Boy
The Commodores
Dec 18, 1979
The Commodores ""Flying High"", ""Sail On"", and ""Still"" and ""Wonderland""
The Commodores
Dec 8, 1979
The Commodores ""Flying High"", ""Sail On"", and ""Still"" and ""Wonderland""
Tribute to Luther Vandross
Nov 22, 1986
No description available.
Tribute to Stevie Wonder
Sep 21, 1991
Stevie Wonder gets the Soul Train treatment here with all of his classic hits and moments and also featuring his new songs ""Gotta Have You"", ""Fun Day"" and ""These Three Words"" and ""Jungle Fever""
