Very sad news to pass along today … Don Cornelius, the creator and host of the pop culturally iconic music television show Soul Train, has died as the result of an apparent suicide. It is being reported that Cornelius was found dead of a gunshot wound to the head in his Sherman Oaks, CA home this morning around 4AM PT. Ugh, so sad. Some of you younger folk may not know Don Cornelius but those of us who grew up in the 70s/80s have very vivid memories of the amazing show Soul Train and if it’s host, the late Don Cornelius. He will be missed.

Don Cornelius — who famously created “Soul Train” was found dead in his Sherman Oaks, CA home this morning … and law enforcement sources tell us it appears he committed suicide. We’re told cops discovered the body at around 4 AM PT. Law enforcement sources tell us … Cornelius died from a gunshot wound to the head and officials believe the wound was self-inflicted. We’re told Cornelius was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. “Soul Train” changed the landscape of television when it debuted in 1971 and ran until 2006. Officials have notified Don’s family. Cornelius was 75. During Don’s bitter divorce proceedings in 2009, he told an L.A. judge he was suffering from “significant health issues” and wanted to “finalize this divorce before I die.” Cornelius was arrested in 2008 for beating up his wife. He pled no contest to misdemeanor domestic violence and was placed on 3 years probation. His probation just terminated. The divorce was granted in 2010. Sources close to Don tell us … the TV icon was plagued with health issues for years … including a stroke and a condition that required brain surgery.

UGH … I vaguely remember hearing the disturbing events surrounding his bitter divorce a few years ago so it’s clear that he had been dealing with a lot at the end of his life … but man, in his hey day Don Cornelius was the man. Anyone who’s ever danced down a Soul Train line at a party or a wedding has a lot to be thankful for of the man:

While shows like American Bandstand and Dance Party USA were geared toward mainstream pop music, Soul Train was focused on the more urban sound of soul and funk music. It was pretty revolutionary for its time. It’s just so sad to think that a man that was able to accomplish so much and change the pop culture landscape to significantly met his end by his own hand. Everything about this news is just really sad. Here’s hoping Don Cornelius has found the peace that he seemed to desperately to be in need of at the end of his life.

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