Gene Seymour says in 1970 , black culture burst forth in theater , music , dance . He says Don Cornelius contributed singular dance show with cross - cultural appeal . But if you wanted to know how to move your body to funk , disco and soul music , `` Soul Train '' provided the first and best lesson for much of its long and legendary run . He says the pioneers of black pop music performed ; Soul Train showed teens how to dance . Seymour : Cornelius was self - taught impresario , innovator who built cultural phoneomenon .
Gene Seymour says in 1970 , black culture burst forth in theater , music , dance . He says Don Cornelius contributed singular dance show with cross - cultural appeal . He says the pioneers of black pop music performed ; Soul Train showed teens how to dance . Seymour : Cornelius was self - taught impresario , innovator who built cultural phoneomenon .