Don Cornelius remembered

Thursday, February 09, 2012

DON Cornelius, creator of the American TV show Soul Train, took his own life last week Wednesday. And, while the entertainment world mourns, it is even more closer to home than many know.

The late TV host was a good friend of veteran reggae-artiste manager Copeland Forbes since their first meeting in 1972. Forbes and his dance group, the Coasters, were invited to dance on Soul Train.

For Forbes, it was a total shock hearing of his friend's death.

"It was only last year, while on a leg of the Tribute to the Legends tour in California, I spoke with him," he said.

"We were reminiscing about those days when Johnny Nash was actually regarded as the king of reggae," said Forbes, as he pointed out that Nash had done a lot of Bob Marley covers which were embraced in the United States.

"Bob Marley didn't even think of touring at that time," Forbes continued.

Forbes said he initially met Cornelius backstage after they had performed at the Apollo Theater in New York.

"Our first meeting was when he came over to the Apollo backstage to me. He had watched the show where my dance group [the Coasters] performed," said Forbes.

According to Forbes, the invitation to perform on Soul Train was issued then and he said he readily accepted it without even hearing the terms and condition.

The artiste manager said he loved and respected Cornelius as a mentor.

"His brave courage as an African-American, who, at the time, was taking up a challenge that no one figured he could have conquered. We were wondering if it would have happened. The programme took off, the whole US was watching it," recalled Forbes.

His death is even more sad for Forbes as he was looking forward to having him at his 50th anniversary celebrations.

"I issued the invitation for him to be a part of the celebration and he accepted it," said Copeland. He said that in all his conversations with Cornelius there was never any indication that anything was wrong.

"I have never seen that part of him in any way shape or form. He was so much for African Americans and black music."

Forbes told the Observer that whenever his journey took him to California he would always hook up with Cornelius, who sometimes "would attend the reggae shows."

For Forbes, what stands out most in his mind about the late TV show host are his closing words on Soul Train.

"I wish you peace, love and soul. Those words will never die. They stand out and have a specific meaning for us. Love -- what we all need. Peace -- what we all striving for. Soul -- is that we as black people have. Our soul music is what keeping us going," said Forbes.

— Cecelia Campbell-Livingston

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Don Cornelius remembered