Soul Train

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.

Documentary

Seasons

1. Gladys Knight & the Pips/Eddie Kendricks/The Honey Cone/Bobby Hutton

Air Date: 1971-10-02

Gladys Knight & the Pips, Eddie Kendricks, The Honey Cone, Bobby Hutton

2. Charlie Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Band/Carla Thomas/General Crook

Air Date: 1971-10-09

Charlie Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Band, Carla Thomas, General Crook

3. Chairmen of the Board/Rufus Thomas/Laura Lee

Air Date: 1971-10-16

Chairmen of the Board, Rufus Thomas, Laura Lee

4. Staple Singers/ Freda Payne

Air Date: 1971-10-23

-Staple Singers ""Express Yourself"" and ""Heavy Makes You Happy"" --Freda Payne ""Band of Gold"" and ""Bring the Boys Home""

5. Bill Withers/Al Green/Viola Wills

Air Date: 1971-10-30

Bill Withers, Al Green, Viola Wills

6. Lou Rawls/The 100 Proof/The Emotions

Air Date: 1971-11-06

Lou Rawls, The 100 Proof, The Emotions

7. Martha & the Vandellas/ The Intruders/ G.C. Cameron

Air Date: 1971-11-13

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

8. Friends of Distinction/Clarence Carter

Air Date: 1971-11-20

Friends of Distinction, Clarence Carter

9. The Chambers Brothers/The Five Stairsteps

Air Date: 1971-11-27

The Chambers Brothers, The Five Stairsteps

10. Jr. Walker & the All Stars/Bobby Womack/Thelma Houston

Air Date: 1971-12-04

Jr. Walker & the All Stars, Bobby Womack, Thelma Houston

11. Jean Knight/The Delfonics/Maurice Jackson/Ralfi Pagan

Air Date: 1971-12-11

Jean Knight, The Delfonics, Maurice Jackson, Ralfi Pagan

12. The Chi-Lites/Joe Tex/The Originals

Air Date: 1971-12-18

The Chi-Lites, Joe Tex, The Originals

13. Gene Chandler/Simtec & Wylie/The Free Movement

Air Date: 1971-12-25

Gene Chandler, Simtec & Wylie, The Free Movement

26. Wilson Pickett/ Curtis Mayfield/ War

Air Date: 1972-03-25

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.

30. Ike & Tina Turner/ Jerry Butler/ Brenda Lee Eager

Air Date: 1972-04-22

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"

32. Isley Brothers/ Luther Ingram

Air Date: 1972-09-16

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.

33. Gladys Knight & the Pips/ The O'Jays/ Major Lance

Air Date: 1972-09-23

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.

35. The Jackson Five

Air Date: 1972-10-07

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."

36. Episode 36

Air Date: 1991-09-28

37. Bill Withers/ Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes

Air Date: 1972-10-21

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

39. Joe Simon/ Sylvers/ Billy Paul

Air Date: 1972-11-04

Joe Simon - "Power of Love." The Sylvers - "Wish That I Could Talk to You." and "Fool's Paradise" Billy Paul - "Me and Mrs. Jones."

45. Curtis Mayfield/ The Main Ingredient/ Hank Ballard

Air Date: 1973-01-06

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."

46. Stevie Wonder/ The Moments/ Fully Guaranteed

Air Date: 1973-01-13

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""

49. James Brown

Air Date: 1973-02-19

-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

50. The Four Tops/ Otis Clay

Air Date: 1973-02-17

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.

51. The Spinners/ Sisters Love

Air Date: 1973-02-24

-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""

52. Al Green/ Mel & Tim

Air Date: 1973-03-03

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"

56. Aretha Franklin

Air Date: 1973-04-14

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.

60. The Supremes/ Lloyd Price

Air Date: 1973-05-12

The Supremes - "Floy Joy," "Bad Weather", "I Guess I'll Miss the Man" and "Stoned Love" Lloyd Price "Just for Baby" and "Love Music"

66. Chuck Berry/ Maxayn/ Willie Hutch

Air Date: 1973-06-07

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").

67. The Best of Soul Train

Air Date: 1973-08-11

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)

78. Curtis Mayfield/ Millie Jackson/ Natural Four

Air Date: 1973-11-10

86. Johnny Nash/ Kool & the Gang/ The Originals

Air Date: 1974-01-12

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"

92. Curtis Mayfield/ The Main Ingredient/ Bloodstone

Air Date: 1974-03-30

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"

94. The Stylistics/ Bobby Womack/ Undisputed Truth

Air Date: 1974-04-13

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"

97. Gladys Knight & the Pips/ Lamont Dozier

Air Date: 1974-05-04

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'"

103. Kool & The Gang/ Al Wilson/ Natural Four

Air Date: 1974-06-17

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."

105. The Four Tops/ Blue Magic/ Barbara Mason

Air Date: 1974-04-20

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"

108. James Brown & the First Family of Soul/ Fred Wesley & the JB's/ Lyn Collins

Air Date: 1974-09-14

-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""

118. The Moments/ LaBelle/ Carl Carlton

Air Date: 1974-12-07

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""

119. The Isley Brothers

Air Date: 1974-12-14

132. Bobby Bland/ Tavares/ Lyn Collins/ Fred Wesley & Steam

Air Date: 1975-03-15

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"

152. Rufus/ David Ruffin

Air Date: 1975-01-28

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""

159. Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes/ Esther Phillips

Air Date: 1975-11-22

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""

207. Lou Rawls/ L.T.D.

Air Date: 1977-01-22

Lou Rawls ""You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine"" --L.T.D. ""Love to the World"" and ""Love Ballad"

222. Marvin Gaye

Air Date: 1977-05-07

Marvin Gaye ""Got To Give It Up"" (Parts 1 & 2),"" ""All The Way Round"" & ""After The Dance""

235. Teddy Pendergrass/ Rose Royce

Air Date: 1977-11-05

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

269. The Commodores

Air Date: 1979-12-18

The Commodores ""Flying High"", ""Sail On"", and ""Still"" and ""Wonderland""

315. The Commodores

Air Date: 1979-12-08