‘Soul Train’ Premieres on WCIU-TV – Black History Month

The hippest trip in America made its way to living room television sets in Chicago on Aug. 17, 1970, when 'Soul Train' premiered on WCIU-TV.

With the support of sponsorship from Johnson Products Company, the show was syndicated nationally in 17 cities by the end of 1971.

'Soul Train' was hosted by Don Cornelius until 1993, and rotated through different hosts until the show ended production in 2006.

The who's who of soul music -- and hip-hop later on -- have graced the 'Soul Train' stage, including the Jackson 5, Run-D.M.C. and Alicia Keys, during its more than 30 years on the air.

The show's iconic run will always be remembered for the energetic dancers who made up the soul train line. It lives on through the Soul Train Music Awards, which continue to honor blacks in music.

Watch a 'Soul Train' Clip