Don Cornelius, creator of Soul Train, the Soul Train Music Awards, and Soul Train lines at parties and wedding receptions, died of self-inflicted gunshot wounds early this morning in Los Angeles. He was 75 years old.

With Soul Train, Cornelius created a platform to promote African-American music artists when few other options were available. But while the show provided “television for black folks,” dancers and performers of different backgrounds were also featured. Click here to check out Elton John doing one of the best “Bennie and the Jets” performances ever.

Cornelius hosted the show until 1993, was inducted in the Broadcasting Hall of Fame, and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. For more great performances and a 1995 profile, click here.