Don Cornelius | 1936 - 2012

The Chicago native started his career in the insurance business before trying his hand as a radio DJ, television announcer and sportscaster.  (Clarence Williams / Los Angeles Times)

“The ‘70s and ‘80s were just the period during which the best soul music was created and the best records were done,” he told The Times years later.  (Tony Barnard / Los Angeles Times)

Among the famous faces to stop by “Soul Train” were James Brown, Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye, Sly Stone, Barry White and Aretha Franklin. Years later, fans were able to revisit those performances with “The Best of Soul Train” DVD in 2010.  (Tribune Entertainment / Getty Images)

Diana Ross was also known for stopping by the show.   (Tribune Entertainment / Getty Images)

Cornelius stopped hosting in 1993, and though “Soul Train” ceased production in 2006, its archives continue to circulate through YouTube, DVD sets and BET‘s Centric channel.   (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)

Cornelius created the Soul Train Music Awards in 1987 to recognize black musical performers who may not enjoy widespread pop success. Notable hosts included Will Smith and Gladys Knight.  (Jose Galvez / Los Angeles Times)

“The acceptance of music on a total media basis is much more developed now, it’s much more available. When we started, we were the only program that a certain genre of artist could get exposure on,” Cornelius told the Times.  (Kim D. Johnson / Associated Press)

Cornelius wasn’t completely out of the spotlight once he left “Soul Train” and continued to attend Hollywood events. Here, he is pictured with singer Stevie Wonder at the 2005 TV Land Awards.  (Kevin Winter / Getty Images)

The producer received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1997.  (John Hayes / Associated Press)

While Cornelius found success on television, he experienced trouble in his personal life. He married young and had two sons with his first wife, Delores Harrison, but the couple didn’t last. Later he found love with Viktoria Chapman (pictured), but things turned sour between them, too. By the time they finalized their divorce in 2009 they had been legally separated for some time, she had taken out two restraining orders against him and he was convicted of spousal battery. “I am 72 years old. I have significant health issues. I want to finalize this divorce before I die,” he told the courts in 2008, according to TMZ.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)