PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA, THE: INSIDE MEDIA: SOUL TRAIN: THE HIPPEST TRIP IN AMERICA {LOS ANGELES} {LONG VERSION}
Summary
One in a series of evenings and special screenings presented as part of The Paley Center for Media's "Inside Media" events. Held at the Paley Center in Los Angeles, this evening celebrates “Soul Train” (the groundbreaking R&B-themed musical variety show) and the VH1 documentary “Soul Train: The Hippest Trip in America.” Craig Hitchcock (executive director, The Paley Center for Media, Los Angeles) offers opening remarks before bringing Lauren Lazin, one of the film's executive producers, to the stage. She acknowledges several “Soul Train” associates in the crowd, and then gives the stage to "Soul Train" producer Anthony Maddox, who introduces the documentary, which is screened in its entirety. (For synopsis and credits, see ACCNUM 100739.)
After the screening, Hitchcock introduces moderator Cheo Hodari Coker (freelance music journalist and screenwriter), who brings the panelists to the stage: "Soul Train" creator/host Don Cornelius; musician Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson of The Roots, who scored "The Hippest Trip in America"; "Soul Train" singer/dancer Jody Watley; and singers Smokey Robinson and Cuba Gooding Sr., both guests on "Soul Train" and interview subjects in "The Hippest Trip in America."
The discussion touches on such topics as: Cornelius’ start in radio and his coverage of the civil rights movement; the limited presence of Motown artists on television before “Soul Train”; how Cornelius was “slow” to appreciate rap and hip-hop, including his exposure to the group Sugarhill Gang and misunderstandings about his stance on the genre; footage cut from the documentary, including a duet between Smokey Robinson and Aretha Franklin; Marvin Gaye and Cornelius’s memorable basketball game on the show; the “spontaneous energy” on "Soul Train" between longtime friends Robinson and Cornelius; Gooding Sr.’s interest in music and Cornelius’ effect on his career; how “Soul Train” gave kids something “safe to do” in the afternoon; the show’s effect on Watley and her development of black pride; how the show was like "college" for "?uestlove"; Gooding Sr.’s experience with creating music for “the other side” before he began to target black audiences; whether young artists had to be popular before appearing on the show; Cornelius’ brief interviews with guests on "Soul Train" and his assertion that it was “not a talk show”; how Cornelius found it easier to chat with guests that he already knew; his disappointment at never booking Earth, Wind & Fire; whether the "best soul music" was produced in the 1970s and 1980s; and how the audience's reaction to performers allowed Cornelius to determine their popularity.
Questions from the audience then lead to a discussion of the following topics: Cornelius’s memories of dancer Fawn Quinones (who poses a question from the audience); whether Watley is familiar with Marvin Gaye’s song about her; why the dancers were usually served lunches from Kentucky Fried Chicken; Cornelius's generosity to staffers such as dancer Tyrone Proctor (who poses a question from the audience); Robinson having forgotten the lyrics to the song “Vitamin U” during a performance; the show’s positive influence on young people; whether Cornelius had a “love/hate” relationship with any guests; the importance of the “scramble board” game; the show’s avoidance of politics; the “fun” and challenge of the first season; the song-writing talents of Cornelius; his reasons for keeping the show running in Chicago after the move to California, including his desire to keep his “protégé” Clinton Ghent employed; Motown record producer Berry Gordy’s influence on Cornelius and his regard of Gordy as "a symbol” and "a genius”; the experience of being recognized by fans; and Cornelius’ regard for “Soul Train” announcer Sid McCoy as a “hero.”
Details
- NETWORK: N/A
- DATE: January 29, 2010 7:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 2:49:06
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 100698
- GENRE: Seminars
- SUBJECT HEADING: N/A
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Craig Hitchcock … Host
- Cheo Hodari Coker … Moderator
- Don Cornelius … Panelist
- Jody Watley … Panelist
- Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson … Panelist
- Smokey Robinson … Panelist
- Cuba Gooding Sr. … Panelist
- Lauren Lazin … Guest
- Anthony Maddox … Guest
- Earth, Wind & Fire
- Aretha Franklin
- Marvin Gaye
- Clinton Ghent
- Berry Gordy
- Sid McCoy
- Tyrone Proctor
- Fawn Quinones
- Sugarhill Gang