Don Cornelius

“MTV essentially killed 'American Bandstand' and 'Solid Gold,' because music videos are an easier way for pop artists to gain television exposure.”

“There was no match for Barry White. His music is just going to live forever. It's not limited to disco or soul or hip-hop or anything.”

“Soul music as we've always known it hasn't changed. There are different players now with different attitudes, but there is nothing new being done musically.”

“One motivation for the 'Soul Train' awards was the grumbling that all of us in the industry have heard about the way black music tends to be viewed as a secondary phenomenon by the other awa...”

“Black music is too big and too powerful not to have its own awards show.”

“Almost all of what I learned about mounting and hosting a dance show I learned from Dick Clark.”

“Who's more important than Diana Ross?”

“All I really wanted was to be a full-time disc jockey.”

“I always felt a love for music, but I never got my nerve up enough to try a musical instrument in school.”

“I felt that it was my mission to see to it that black talent had an opportunity to get national television exposure.”

“The 'Soul Train' legacy and brand are of the utmost importance to me and to 'Soul Train's' millions of fans. After years of offers, I feel the time is now finally right to pass the torch.”