Last night January 27th, 2010, I attended VH1 RockDocs screening of (view pics of the event here) ‘Soul Train: The Hippest Trip in America‘ at The Paley Center for Media in NYC. The incredibly insightful, engaging and emotional documentary expertly breaks down the history of the American television institution of the Soul Train and it’s creator/host Don Cornelius.
The doc is to be aired on VH1 on Feb. 5th at 9pm. After viewing the 62-minute film, you are sure to laugh, sing along, do a few dances and wipe back a tear or two for the fallen icons that are no longer with us. You really don’t grasp the cultural impact that 35 years of over 1100 shows has done to help the racial divide between civil rights America and the fact that we now have a black President. Sounds a little reaching but Soul Train helped in getting Obama in office. It was the first time on an consistent basis you would see African-American men and women in a talented spectrum and influencing style, music and dance all at once on television. Something Obama can tip his hat at I’m sure.
I’m amazed at how Mr. Cornelius was able to maintain sole ownership in such a big business during those times. The performances hold up today as some of the best and classic moments from musical icons such as Al Green, Aretha Franklin, James Brown and scores of others. To see a young Michael Jackson do the robot and various other funky moves while singing in a wired microphone and dancing in high heeled disco boots and never tripping over or even worrying about the mic cord is pure grace and talent to be witnessed over and over again.
There were way too many moments for me and the rest of the audience at last nights even to ooh and ahh about, so I say watch the doc and let us know which were your fave moments. Love, Peace and Sooooooooooooull!!!!