( CNN ) -- As news spread that `` Soul Train '' legend Don Cornelius died Wednesday morning of a gunshot wound at the age of 75 , fans and friends took to Twitter to express their grief in a stream of condolences that continued Thursday . His son , Tony Cornelius , issued a statement Thursday afternoon expressing sadness at the loss of his father . `` At this time , we respectfully ask that you allow our family and friends the privacy necessary to get through this difficult time , '' he wrote . `` We thank all the well-wishers and the fans who have supported the Soul Train legacy . Love , Peace and Soul . '' `` Soul Train '' host Cornelius would sign off the show with the words `` Wishing you love , peace and soul , '' and many , including musician Rob Thomas and actor/rapper Ice Cube , honored Cornelius ' memory by tweeting his trademark phrase . Others , like actress and TV personality Holly Robinson Peete , chimed in with memories of Cornelius as a friend . `` Don was a friend , supporter , neighbor a pioneer . We will miss you . ... Rest With Angels Don . Prayers for son Tony and entire family , '' she tweeted Wednesday . Both rapper Talib Kweli and ABC News ' Robin Roberts shared memories of watching Cornelius host the long-running television show `` Soul Train , '' with Kweli sharing Wednesday , `` 'Soul Train ' was a huge part of my Saturday mornings growing up . '' Legendary soul singer Chaka Khan also said , `` I 've known him practically all of my life , back when he was a DJ at WVON radio in Chicago . He was a great man . He opened the borders for black music . He was like family to me . Don will be missed . '' Singer Aretha Franklin called his death `` so sad , stunning and downright shocking . '' `` Don Cornelius single-handedly brought about a melding and unity of brother and sisterhood among young adults worldwide and globally with the unforgettable creation of 'Soul Train , ' `` Franklin said . The Rev . Al Sharpton also took to Twitter to express his sadness over Cornelius ' passing , sharing that he is `` shocked and grief stricken by the reported suicide of Don Cornelius of Soul Train . I have known him since I was 19 years old . '' He added in a statement that he and Cornelius `` maintained a friendship for the last 38 years . '' The venerated producer `` brought soul music and dance to the world in a way that it had never been shown , and he was a cultural game changer on a global level , '' Sharpton continued . `` Had it not been for Don Cornelius , we would not have ever transcended from the Chitlin circuit to become mainstream cultural trendsetters . '' Music industry heavyweight Quincy Jones echoed that sentiment . `` I am shocked and deeply saddened at the sudden passing of my friend , colleague , and business partner Don Cornelius , '' Jones says in a statement . `` 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 . '' Singer and actor Tyrese Gibson posted on his Twitter page , `` First day of black history month ... We lost ( a ) legend today .. RIP Don Cornelius I will never forget our laughs and moments.. ! Bless you. ! ! '' Televison personality Tavis Smiley said , `` Don Cornelius was our cultural ambassador at a time when Black music , Black dance and Black fashion were underappreciated . ''
Many express their grief on Twitter . Holly Robinson Peete says he was a friend , and she will miss him . Chaka Khan says Cornelius was like family .