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  3. See Photos of Soul Train Through the Years

See Photos of Soul Train Through the Years

By Madeline Boardman Updated January 05, 2017 at 01:06 PM EST
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The Evolution of Soul Train

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Credit: Tribune Entertainment/Getty Images

More than 45 years ago, Soul Train made its small-screen debut. Hosted by Don Cornelius, the musical variety show kicked off in the early 1970s and spent decades on air under subsequent hosts including Mystro Clark, Shemar Moore, and Dorian Gregory. Until its wrap in 2006, the beloved program saw appearances from The Jackson Five (pictured here), Diana Ross, Luther Vandross, Tina Turner, Stevie Wonder, Aaliyah, and Destiny's Child, among hundreds of others. See photos of Soul Train through the years, ahead.

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Don Cornelius in the 1970s

SOUL TRAIN, host Don Cornelius, circa mid 70's, 1971-
Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection

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James Brown in 1971

James Brown On Soul Train

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The Whispers in 1974

The Whispers Performing On Soul Train
Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

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The Jackson Five in 1975

Jackson 5 On "Soul Train"
Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

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The Gap Band in 1975

Gap Band On Soul Train

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The Jackson Five in August 1975

The Jackson Five

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The Emotions in August 1977

The Emotions

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Don Cornelius in the 1970s

Photo of Soul Train
Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

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Donald Byrd and The Blackbyrds in 1977

Donald Byrd On Soul Train
Credit: ngeles, California. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

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Soul Train Dancers in the 1970s

Photo of Soul Train
Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

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Don Cornelius in 1977

Don Cornelius
Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

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Soul Train Dancers in the 1970s

Photo of Soul Train 028
Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

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Aretha Franklin and Don Cornelius in the 1970s

SOUL TRAIN, from left: Aretha Franklin, Don Cornelius, 1971-present

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Soul Train Dancers in the 1970s

Photo of Soul Train 002
Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

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Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes in the 1970s

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Credit: CSU Archives/Everett Collection

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Soul Train Dancers in the 1970s

Photo of Soul Train
Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

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Edwin Starr in the 1970s

SOUL TRAIN, Edwin Starr, 1971-

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Don Cornelius in the 1980s

SOUL TRAIN, Host Don Cornelius, 1980s. 1971-present. (c) Tribune Entertainment/ Courtesy: Everett Co
Credit: Tribune Entertainment/ Courtesy Everett Collection

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Soul Train Dancers in the 1980s

SOUL TRAIN, Soul Train Scramble Board, Soul Train Dancers, early 1980s, 1971-
Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection

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Full Force in the 1980s

SOUL TRAIN, Full Force performs, early 1980s, 1971-
Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection

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Soul Train Dancers in the 1980s

SOUL TRAIN, Soul Train Dancers, early 1980s, 1971-

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Diana Ross and Don Cornelius in the 1980s

SOUL TRAIN, from left: Diana Ross, Don Cornelius, 1971-present

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Sting and Don Cornelius in 1987

SOUL TRAIN, Sting, Don Cornelius, 1971-present, (c)Tribune Entertainment/courtesy Everett Collection

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Soul Train Dancers in the 1980s

DISCO,
Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection

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Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers in 1988

Chuck Brown On Soul Train
Credit: Afro American Newspapers/Gado/Getty Images

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Calloway and Don Cornelius in March 1990

SOUL TRAIN, from left: musical group CALLOWAY: Cino-vincent Calloway, Reggie Calloway, Don Corneliu

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Soul Train Dancers in 1990

SOUL TRAIN, Season 20, 1990. 1971-. (c) Tribune Entertainment/ Courtesy: Everett Collection.
Credit: Tribune Entertainment/Courtesy Everett Collection.

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Soul Train Dancers in 1990

SOUL TRAIN, Season 20, 1990. 1971-. (c) Tribune Entertainment/ Courtesy: Everett Collection.
Credit: Tribune Entertainment/Courtesy Everett Collection.

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Soul Train Dancers in 1991

SOUL TRAIN, Season 21, 1991. 1971-. (c) Tribune Entertainment/ Courtesy: Everett Collection.
Credit: Tribune Entertainment/Courtesy Everett Collection

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Stevie Wonder in 1991

SOUL TRAIN, Stevie Wonder, Host Don Cornelius (right), circa early 1990s, 1971-
Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection

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Soul Train Dancers in 1992

SOUL TRAIN, Season 22, 1992. 1971-. (c) Tribune Entertainment/ Courtesy: Everett Collection.
Credit: Tribune Entertainment/Courtesy Everett Collection.

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The Isley Brothers in 2003

Isley Brothers Perform on Soul Train - October 12, 2003

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    Everything in This Slideshow

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    1 of 33 The Evolution of Soul Train
    2 of 33 Don Cornelius in the 1970s
    3 of 33 James Brown in 1971
    4 of 33 The Whispers in 1974
    5 of 33 The Jackson Five in 1975
    6 of 33 The Gap Band in 1975
    7 of 33 The Jackson Five in August 1975
    8 of 33 The Emotions in August 1977
    9 of 33 Don Cornelius in the 1970s
    10 of 33 Donald Byrd and The Blackbyrds in 1977
    11 of 33 Soul Train Dancers in the 1970s
    12 of 33 Don Cornelius in 1977
    13 of 33 Soul Train Dancers in the 1970s
    14 of 33 Aretha Franklin and Don Cornelius in the 1970s
    15 of 33 Soul Train Dancers in the 1970s
    16 of 33 Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes in the 1970s
    17 of 33 Soul Train Dancers in the 1970s
    18 of 33 Edwin Starr in the 1970s
    19 of 33 Don Cornelius in the 1980s
    20 of 33 Soul Train Dancers in the 1980s
    21 of 33 Full Force in the 1980s
    22 of 33 Soul Train Dancers in the 1980s
    23 of 33 Diana Ross and Don Cornelius in the 1980s
    24 of 33 Sting and Don Cornelius in 1987
    25 of 33 Soul Train Dancers in the 1980s
    26 of 33 Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers in 1988
    27 of 33 Calloway and Don Cornelius in March 1990
    28 of 33 Soul Train Dancers in 1990
    29 of 33 Soul Train Dancers in 1990
    30 of 33 Soul Train Dancers in 1991
    31 of 33 Stevie Wonder in 1991
    32 of 33 Soul Train Dancers in 1992
    33 of 33 The Isley Brothers in 2003

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