Don Cornelius' Suicide Reveals Troubled Life of 'Soul Train' Founder

Three decades of health problems; no wonder. I have had three years of health problems (none as severe as a 21 hr brain surgery) and just to get people to take you seriously is enough to make you hang onto this world with a looser grip than you did when you were normal. Stay young and guard your health (unless like Cornelius your problem is congenital...then you're screwed and you get to be a professional patient the rest of your life) and try to have pity on those who wake up everyday (and stay on computers till 3 am [because they lost their job]) looking for a drug to ease pain, a new procedure so they can have their life back; usually all in vain. No one understands why you start conversations with your health problems because they don't have them. It gets to be overwhelming and you forget yourself when someone asks you how you're doing. You also get to stand back and realize just how much life is designed for those that are young and healthy. Unless you have good family, you're just hanging on once the health goes bye-bye.

The legacy of a man's passing is what he has passed on to others! This man's legacy exists in those who were inspired by what he created!

Without good health. All the money in the world will not be good enough.

I grew up watching Soul Train and American Bandstand. They were both mainstays of young American culture and I honestly miss both shows. American Idol and it's like are poor substitutes at best.

in parting, we wish you love, peace and soul!"

your fans

Mental Illness can cause individuals to bring themselves to do something they might not have done in the grip of their illness. Judge least ye not be judged...For God in Heaven shall judge the living and the dead. Don Cornelius struggeld with his adjustments after his brain surgery, and no one will ever know how he struggled. I choose to remember his contribution to pop culture, the music industry as a pioneer, the risks and rewards from his visions, and the individuals he helped along the way. Life is short, and I choose to see the good in people. Prayers for his loved ones in their time of grief.

RIP, we loved you!
Your show was the center piece for my dancing life when I was younger!

I had the privilege of working at Don Cornelius Productions in the mid-80s as Don's personal secretary and as a production assistant on the show as well as the annual "Soul Train Music Awards" shows. We had a small office on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood, and the production company consisted of Don, a talent coordinator, another production assistant and me. During the monthly tapings (four shows were taped in a weekend), we hired the same production crew who were like an extended family. I was the only white person on the crew, and Don teasingly referred to me as his "Token White Girl." Lots of great memories. Unfortunately, Dond did suffer ill effects from the anti-seizure medications prescribed after the surgery, leaving him prone to intense mood swings and forgetfulness (now known as early-stage dementia). In fact, he had a bad habit of filring people when he was mad and then call them the next day and ask why they didn't show up to work--we learned quickly to just show up the next day. Nevertheless, Don was a proud, hardworking man who was always thinking ahead about the next show or special and mentoring the next up-and-coming act, many of whom have gone on to great success. I'm honored to have been a small part of Don's legacy, and I'm greatly saddened to learn of his passing. My deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences go out to his family. May Peace, Love and Soul be with you now, Don!

I heard several say that he gave African Americans a show to watch. I'm as white as they come and I watched it religiously for years as did everyone I knew. It was a show everyone could enjoy, and everyone did. I'm very sad to see how this great man chose to end his life. His name is on the same level as Dick Clark and Berry Gordy.

Charlie Sheen has also been in for domestic violence several times, and is a dope addict. What did White America do?, continued to line up at theaters to hear that loser speak, Hypocrites. You're truly not concerned about domestic violence or drug use, just who perpetrates it. So, why are you all bringing up something from a dead person past, to further your agenda of hate against people of color. Perhap some of you need to see a psych. and deal with you own issues.

I grew up in DC during those years and used to watch faithfully every week. I am white and loved that show, he was the "be bop of the soul bop"! RIP Don

No matter what he was dealing with in life, he still gave us love, peace and soul.

Quit saying African Black community. IT MAKES ME SICK! He was an American part of the American community. There is never the White European Communith. So why do we have an African Black community. His tragedy effects the American Community because he was an American nothing more. WHEN I WAS IN THE MARINE CORPS WE WERE ALL GREEN. SOME DARKER GREEN AND SOME LIGHTER GREEN BUT ALL GREEN. END OF #$%$ STORY.

yeah, but domestic violence at 71yrs of age. he was not at peace. hope he finds some. god bless.

You never know what people are going through privately.. This is a tragic and sad thing... Rest in Peace Don....

Why do so many successful Black men marry White women rather than Black women? Particularly men like Don who made their fortunes celebrating African American culture. You'd think they'd bring that love of community into their personal lives, but so often this is not the case.

There are three sides to this story. His side Your side and The Truth. Only God knows why Don took his own life. Its bad enough when one person kills another person. To take your own life.. WHY ?????... On the day of judgement,that conversation will only be between GOD and Don. My point is that we as humans have some real dark sides.We all have sinned and come so short of the glory of God. Everything that glitters is not gold. Don't worry or wonder about Don but instead we need to be very sure that we have an everlasting agreement with our Lord
JESUS CHRIST......

I loved soul train, every Saturday, and loved Don Cornelius, great music and fun. Sorry his life ended so tragically, I was a teenager when Soul Train was hot, along with American Bandstand, 2 best Saturday shows.

Before Soul Train and MTV, there was American Bandstand - the original

Pretty obvious he was in a deep depression, seems like those who may have been close to him did little to get him the help he needed. Even anti-depressants probably would have helped to some degree, but he really needed some professional mental care. He truly was depressed and mentally not well. So many of us die like this every year and few notice the symtoms until its too late.