Saturday morning dose of Soul Train

Take a stroll down the Soul Train line and get down. Whooooah!

Gladys Knight

Growing up in the 1970s, one of my favorite groups was Gladys Knight and the Pips. I'm so excited to hear that beautiful voice tonight.



I can't stop watching this terrific version of I Heard it Through the Grapevine from a V.A. hospital performance in 1970 during the Vietnam War. What a wonderful thing they did. I love their exit.

• The End Of Our Road
• If I Were Your Woman
• If I Were Your Woman
• I Don't Want To Do Wrong
• I Really Got To Use My Imagination, circa 1975
• I Heard it Through the Grapevine on Soul Train
• Friendship Train
• Neither One of Us
• You're the Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me

UPDATE: I was knocked out by Gladys Knight's show. It started with a mash-up of Nitty Gritty and Shake Your Body Down to the Ground. She then sang covers by Adele, Sam Smith and others. Her four young backup singers (2 male, 2 female) came forward and performed a Prince tribute while Gladys hung out in the background, letting them have the spotlight. The tribute ended with Knight coming forward and belting out Purple Rain. She closed the show with a very audience-involved rendition of Midnight Train to Georgia. She's called "The Empress of Soul" for a reason. Wow.

All hail the Queen of Soul

Aretha performs Rock Steady live on Soul Train from 1973.

Tina Turner

Thanks, Tina for what you brought to the world. Mission accomplished.

• I Can't Believe What You Say, 1964
• River Deep Mountain High promo, 1966
• Playboy After Dark, 1969
• Proud Mary, Ike and Tina Turner Revue, 1970
• Nutbush City Limits, Soul Train, circa 1975
• What's Love Got To Do With It, 1984


River Deep Mountain High, Ike and Tina Turner, 1966

Sunday morning dose of Soul Train

An early one featuring Isaac Hayes' hit Theme from Shaft. Don't you just love watching people do voice-overs? Here's Hayes as Chef.

Sunday afternoon dose of the 70s

Bring back the disco floor! Check out the same song on Soul Train.

Saturday morning dose of Soul Train...

...from its early days with Get Down by Curtis Mayfield. Get down!

Al Green

Magnificent, mostly-live performances by Al Green.

• You Ought to Be With Me
• Love and Happiness – Live on Soul Train
• Tired of Being Alone (in pleather hot pants no less)
• Tired of Being Alone – Live
• Let's Stay Together – Live

Saturday morning dose of Soul Train

What ya doing in your bed on your back? You should be dancing.

Labor Day dose of Soul Train

Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes perform Bad Luck from 1975.

separated at birth

Jean Knight performs Mr. Big Stuff on Soul Train in 1971.

I'm crying

Saturday Night Live spoofs 70s and 80s acts on Soul Train.

Night Train tv show

Night Train was an all-black rhythm and blues, vocal group harmony and soul music tv show out of Nashville. It ran from 1964-67. Tremendous performances and great backup singing. Check out Jimi Hendrix playing guitar in the opening act. Be good to ya neybaaah.