Donald Cortez `` Don '' Cornelius ( September 27 , 1936 -- February 1 , 2012 ) was an American television show host and producer who was best known as the creator of the nationally syndicated dance and music franchise `` Soul Train '' , which he hosted from 1971 until 1993 .
Donald Cortez `` Don '' Cornelius ( September 27 , 1936 -- February 1 , 2012 ) was an American television host and television producer . He was known for creating the music franchise series `` Soul Train '' .