Soul Train is an American musical variety show which aired in syndication from October 2, 1971, to March 27, 2006. In its 35-year history, the show primarily featured performances by R&B, soul, dance/pop, country, and hip hop artists, although funk, jazz, disco, and gospel artists also appeared. The series was created by Don Cornelius, who also served as its first host and executive producer.
Production was suspended following the 2005–2006 season, with a rerun package under the moniker The Best of Soul Train airing for two years subsequently. As a nod to Soul Train’s longevity, the show’s opening sequence during later seasons contained a claim that it was the “longest-running first-run, nationally syndicated program in American television history,” with over 1,100 episodes produced from the show’s debut through the 2005–2006 season.
Despite the production hiatus, Soul Train held that superlative until 2016, when Entertainment Tonight surpassed it completing its 35th season. Among non-news programs, Wheel of Fortune surpassed that mark in 2018.
As of 2016, the rights to the Soul Train brand, library, and associated events, such as its cruises and annual awards show, the Soul Train Music Awards, are now under the ownership of ViacomCBS, through BET Networks.
Take a look at these vintage photos to see beautiful moments of the 1970s Soul Train.
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| Ike & Tina Turner, aired: April 22, 1972 |
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| The Sylvers, aired: September 22, 1973 |
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| The Jackson 5, aired: October 27, 1973 |
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| Marvin Gaye, aired: February 16, 1974 |
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| Sylvia Robinson and The Moments, aired: May 11, 1974 |
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| Billy Preston, aired: September 7, 1974 |
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| LaBelle, aired: December 7, 1974 |
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| Chaka Khan, aired: February 15, 1975 |
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| BB King, James Brown and Bobby “Blue” Bland, aired: March 15, 1975 |
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| Donna Summer, aired: March 20, 1976 |
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