Tributes Pour in for Late Soul Train Creator

Tributes are pouring in to the late U.S. television host and music promoter Don Cornelius, who was found dead of a gunshot wound to the head in his Los Angeles home Wednesday.

Cornelius was the founder of the iconic Soul Train television show that helped introduce African-American music and culture to mainstream America from 1971 to 1993.

Police say the gunshot apparently was self-inflicted. It is not clear why Cornelius would have ended his life, although there have been reports in recent years that his health was failing.

The chairman of Black Entertainment Television, Robert Johnson, called Cornelius an “iconic figure” whose achievement was “nothing short of phenomenal.”

Singing legend Aretha Franklin, who appeared on Soul Train, called Cornelius' death “sad, stunning and downright shocking.” She called it a “huge and momentous loss.”

Composer-producer Quincy Jones said he was “deeply saddened” by the loss of his friend and business partner.

Photo by Jen Knoedl. Fans with Don Cornelius at the 40th anniversary of Soul Train, 30 June 2010.