Iconic "Soul Train" host Don Cornelius passed away Wednesday morning, the apparent victim of a self-inlflicted gunshot wound.  He was 75.  According to reports, one of Cornelius' sons became concerned after speaking with his father and contacted the police, who went to his home.  Upon arriving, Cornelius was found with a gunshot wound and transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead an hour later.  Authorities have not ruled out foul play as no suicide note was found, and will interview relatives about Cornelius's mental state.

Born Donald Cortez Cornelius on September 27, 1936, served in the Marines during the Korean Conflict after High School.  At the age of 30, he was hired as a DJ and newsman on WVON radio.  His first TV job came when he began moonlighting at WCUI-TV, where he eventually began producing and hosting a show called "A Black's View of the News."  When the station sought to expand its "ethnic" programming, Cornelius convinced the station's programming director to air a black music show patterned after Dick Clark's "American Bandstand," and "Soul Train" was born in 1970.

"Soul Train" was picked up nationally in 1971, and would stay on the air until 2006, though Cornelius sold the show and stepped down as host in 1993.  One of the longest-running television programs in American history, the show was credited with bringing black music and culture to mainstream audiences.  Cornelius was inducted into the Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 1995 and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Cornelius's world was thrust into turmoil in recent years as he struggled to cope with his divorce and health problems, and he was sentenced to three years probation in 2006 after pleading no contest to misdemanor spousal battery.  Cornelius is survived by two children Raymond and Anthony.