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By Eyder Peralta

Cornelius was 75. The Los Angeles Times, the AP and TMZ are reporting the gunshot wound was self-inflicted. LAPD says that police were called to Cornelius' home at about 4 a.m., but they have not determined whether this was a suicide. The AP adds a bit on "Soul Train:"  "Soul Train" began in 1970 in Chicago on WCIU-TV as a local program and aired nationally from 1971 to 2006.

It introduced television audiences to such legendary artists as Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and Barry White and brought the best R&B, soul and later hip-hop acts to TV and had teenagers dance to them. It was one of the first shows to showcase African-Americans prominently, although the dance group was racially mixed. Cornelius was the first host and executive producer.

"There was not programming that targeted any particular ethnicity," he said in 2006, then added: "I'm trying to use euphemisms here, trying to avoid saying there was no television for black folks, which they knew was for them." The L.A. Times adds that Cornelius hosted "Soul Train" until 1993. The show was last produced in 2006.

Superstar producer Quincy Jones said: "I am shocked and deeply saddened at the sudden passing of my friend, colleague, and business partner Don Cornelius. Don was a visionary pioneer and a giant in our business. Before MTV there was 'Soul Train,' that will be the great legacy of Don Cornelius. His contributions to television, music and our culture as a whole will never be matched. My heart goes out to Don's family and loved ones."