Don Cornelius, the Chicago-based creator of "Soul Train," was found dead early Wednesday at his Mulholland Drive home. He was 75.
Police arrived at Cornelius' home at about 4 a.m., according to NBC Los Angeles. Sources say Cornelius died in an apparent suicide.
Details regarding the shooting were not immediately available.
Cornelius, known for his work in LA, got his big break in Chicago.
While working as a traffic cop, he pulled over WVON host Ed Cobb. As soon as Cobb heard Cornelius say, “Do you know why I’m stopping you?” he knew the cop was in the wrong profession. Cobb invited Cornelius to come down to the station and hired him as an announcer.
In 1970, Cornelius debuted "Soul Train" on WCIU, to showcase black musical acts. The next year, he moved the show to Los Angeles, and into national syndication.
Cornelius last returned to Chicago in September for the 40th anniversary of "Soul Train" at Millennium Park.
