Soul Train Don Cornelius Dead of Suicide at 75 creator of 'Soul Train 2012

Don Cornelius’ death from a self-inflicted gunshot wound has drawn new attention to the dark side of the “Soul Train” founder.

Cornelius, 75, was plagued by health problems in the last three decades of his life. He underwent a 21-hour operation in 1982 to correct a congenital malformation in blood vessels in his brain. ”You choose your brain surgeons for their stamina,” he said afterwards, according to The Washington Post. “You’re never quite the same afterward. Travel is always a real test.”

His personal life also suffered. In 2008, he was arrested for felony domestic violence against his estranged wife, Victoria Avila-Cornelius. In 2009, he plead no contest to one count of “corporal injury resulting in traumatic condition of a spouse,” was put on probation for 36 months, and ordered to pay over $1,000 in fines. She also filed multiple restraining orders against him.

Don Cornelius, a pioneer among African-American TV producers as the creator and host of the long-running syndicated R&B show "Soul Train," has died. He was 75. Cornelius was pronounced dead early Wednesday of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to L.A. County assistant chief coroner Ed Winter. Los Angeles Police Department officers responding to a report of a shooting found Cornelius at his Sherman Oaks home at around 4 a.m. Founded in 1971 in Chicago as a weekday local showcase for black musical talent, Cornelius' "Soul Train" swiftly became the nation's principal platform for popular soul

Don was a visionary and giant in our business," producer and composer Quincy Jones said in a statement. "Before MTV there was 'Soul Train'; that will be the great legacy of Don Cornelius. His contributions to television, music and our culture as a whole will never be matched."

Aretha Franklin said Cornelius "united the young adult community single-handedly and globally."

"With the inception of 'Soul Train,' a young, progressive brother set the pace and worldwide standard for young aspiring African American men and entrepreneurs in TV — out of Chicago," Franklin, who appeared on the show, said in a statement. "He transcended barriers among young adults. They became one."

"Soul Train," which moved to Los Angeles and entered national syndication in 1971, featured other legendary artists, including James Brown, Marvin Gaye, the Jackson 5 and Barry White.

With its catchy introduction featuring an animated, psychedelic smoke-spewing locomotive, "Soul Train" became destination TV for teenagers across America in the '70s.

Magic Johnson was one of them. "Every Saturday morning I looked forward to watching 'Soul Train,' as did millions of other people," Johnson, chairman of Soul Train Holdings, said in a statement. "'Soul Train' taught the world how to dance! Don's contribution to us all is immeasurable."

Beyond the music and the artists featured on "Soul Train," much of its popularity was attributed to the young dancers on the show.