Philadelphia is set to honor the man behind the “hippest trip in America” with an attempt at breaking the world record for largest Soul Train line. Organizers envision the event as a way to commemorate the passing of “Soul Train” creator Don Cornelius — as well as offer a time for local “Soul Train” fans to gather, express “Philadelphia love” and honor the city’s own special place in soul music history.
The idea for a world-record commemoration was sparked on Facebook, where interest in organizing such an attempt in Philadelphia went viral. The current record — of 211 people — is held by a group of high school students, staff and alumni in Berkley, Calif. “Considering how Philly responded to events like Live Aid, Unity Day, Million Woman March, Welcome America and our normal annual events, I thought, '211? We can do that,’” said radio host Manwell Glenn, on whose Facebook page the idea took hatch. Unlike last week’s spontaneous and flash-mob Soul Train lines in Chicago and New York respectively, Philadelphia’s effort is designed and organized to make a statement: There is no better place for world-wide recognition of soul music appreciation than the City of Brotherly Love.
“Don Cornelius and ‘Soul Train’ is synonymous with our childhood,” recalled Glenn, 50. “It reminds me of Saturdays when all of us gathered around the TV, watching ‘Soul Train,’ doing the dance steps, pointing out our favorite dancers, the going outside and try and mimic the 'Robot' (dance) and everything. Yeah, we would laugh at some of the cloths...it just makes me feel good about an era in my life and a time when I was young, happy and carefree. I was a teenager, and his death reminded me of all of those moments, and my friends who aren't here now. It made me reminisce, and I want to share that feel good moment.”
Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff recorded "TSOP" (The Sound of Philadelphia) with MFSB, the Philadelphia International Records house band, and the Three Degrees singing the vocal parts in 1974. Within months, the song hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and on the Hot Soul Singles chart—and Cornelius, according to Huff, regretted that he didn't let the duo use "Soul Train" in the tune's official title.
"Philadelphia, The City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection is a grand music mecca, as well as the birthplace of the Soul Train theme written by the legendary duo of Gamble & Huff,” Dyana Williams, co-host of “Soulful Sunday” on WRNB-FM. “With the world's largest “Soul Train” line this coming Monday, we will honor the legacy and indelible cultural impression left on billions by Don Cornelius and ‘Soul Train!’” Cornelius, 75, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Feb. 1. He had suffered from health problems, a difficult divorce, and had pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor spousal battery charge in 2009. A private memorial service for Cornelius is scheduled to take place this week in Los Angeles.
The fee to apply to Guinness World Records, which accepted the group’s application on Tuesday, Feb. 7, was promptly pledged by a group of sponsors and Radio One will serve as the radio host for the event. “It’s Soul Train and Don Cornelius. Everybody wants to get involved,” said Glenn.
The mass dance event at breaking the world record for largest “Soul Train” line will take place on Monday, Feb. 13 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, 4 p.m. For more information, tune in to Dyana Williams' “Soulful Sunday” on 100.3 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. or visit Facebook: The Philly World Record Soul Train Line Gang www.facebook.com/groups/.
Contact Tribune staff writer Bobbi Booker at (215) 893-5749 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
