?uestlove Participates In Vh1 Soul Train Documentary
Soul Train inspired many and in honor of the show, Vg1 aired a documentary on the iconic television music program. For years, folks witnessed soul acts and dancers take the Soul Train stage. One of those people, inspired by the show's greatness was The Roots' drummer ?uestlove. He recently took part in the documentary but also shared his thoughts on it, speaking with Steven Kurutz.
“I never missed an episode," he said, according to Speak Easy. Even when it was re-run time, I still studied it. That was the only place where I could see people who looked like me playing music. You would always catch mainstream artists like Stevie Wonder on the Grammys. But all those under-the-radar soul acts, this was the only place that you could find them. It wasn’t like you’re going to see the Ohio Players on American Bandstand. I definitely knew of the Main Ingredient because of Soul Train. I didn’t know of Sylvia Robinson before Soul Train."
He also explained that the show is tied to various childhood memories, including his first time seeing Rap on television.
"Between ‘73 and ’75, it came on at 12 in the afternoon. But then ‘75 to about ’79, it started coming on at 1am after Saturday Night Live went off the air. My parents still woke me up to watch it, which was kind of strange because they they were anti-television. I couldn’t watch TV as a toddler. So all my childhood memories are tied to this show. First time I got Crayola crayons, Sugarfoot was playing with the Ohio Players in 1974 with a double-neck guitar. The first time I saw rap music on TV was Soul Train. There was a period in ‘86 when I was on punishment for a month and I knew Run DMC was coming on. I’d have to coordinate during the week with neighbors, Mission Impossible-style, for me to open up my bathroom window and look through their bedroom and see Run-DMC."
He added that he takes lessons learned from the show to his new gig on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.
"I’m trying to take lessons that I learned from Soul Train and apply it to [Late Night With Jimmy Fallon], especially with the artists we’re embracing. We have to reinvest in the music. Okay, we can bring the show back but who in black music is doing music so inspirational as to make one or two seasons of Soul Train? We’re one band. If this were the ‘70s, we’d be one of a jillion bands.”
No need to look through the neighbor's bedroom windows, the Soul Train interview with Run DMC is below.
“I never missed an episode," he said, according to Speak Easy. Even when it was re-run time, I still studied it. That was the only place where I could see people who looked like me playing music. You would always catch mainstream artists like Stevie Wonder on the Grammys. But all those under-the-radar soul acts, this was the only place that you could find them. It wasn’t like you’re going to see the Ohio Players on American Bandstand. I definitely knew of the Main Ingredient because of Soul Train. I didn’t know of Sylvia Robinson before Soul Train."
He also explained that the show is tied to various childhood memories, including his first time seeing Rap on television.
"Between ‘73 and ’75, it came on at 12 in the afternoon. But then ‘75 to about ’79, it started coming on at 1am after Saturday Night Live went off the air. My parents still woke me up to watch it, which was kind of strange because they they were anti-television. I couldn’t watch TV as a toddler. So all my childhood memories are tied to this show. First time I got Crayola crayons, Sugarfoot was playing with the Ohio Players in 1974 with a double-neck guitar. The first time I saw rap music on TV was Soul Train. There was a period in ‘86 when I was on punishment for a month and I knew Run DMC was coming on. I’d have to coordinate during the week with neighbors, Mission Impossible-style, for me to open up my bathroom window and look through their bedroom and see Run-DMC."
He added that he takes lessons learned from the show to his new gig on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.
"I’m trying to take lessons that I learned from Soul Train and apply it to [Late Night With Jimmy Fallon], especially with the artists we’re embracing. We have to reinvest in the music. Okay, we can bring the show back but who in black music is doing music so inspirational as to make one or two seasons of Soul Train? We’re one band. If this were the ‘70s, we’d be one of a jillion bands.”
No need to look through the neighbor's bedroom windows, the Soul Train interview with Run DMC is below.
More News On HipHopDX
one moment...
Reply To This Comment
Got an account with one of these? Log in here, or just enter your info and leave a comment below.
