From Soul Train to 106 & Park

Soul Train’s influence on 106 & Park is undeniable.

A Term of Endearment - To this day the term “Soul Train dancer” evokes a nostalgic memory that much of the new generation neglects to understand. To be a Soul Train dancer means you had to be the total package plus more—there was no turning back when it was your time to shine.(Photo: Everett Collection)

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Get on Board! - Soul Train, “the hippest trip in America,” premiered nationally in 1971. Black music and television changed forever!—Jesús Triviño Alarcón (Photo: Tribune Entertainment/ Courtesy: Eerett Collection)

Photo By Photo: Everett Collection

Success Ahead - By 1971, Soul Train was airing nationally, and would continue to do so until 2006. Cornelius hosted the show from its inception until he stepped down in 1993, famously signing off each episode with, "We wish you love, peace and soul." (Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

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Don Cornelius - The man with the master plan! Don Cornelius’s Soul Train gave a nationally televised platform for Black music in America. Rest in peace!(Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

AJ & Free - AJ & Free’s run as 106 & Park’s co-hosts was long like Yao Ming. Their chemistry easily translated over the screen.(Photo: Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect)

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AJ & Free - AJ & Free’s run as 106 & Park’s co-hosts was long like Yao Ming. Their chemistry easily translated over the screen.(Photo: Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect)

Photo By Photo: Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect

“Blowing Like Shalamar in ‘81” - Don Cornelius chats with a young Jody Watley, who would go on to achieve fame as a dancer on Soul Train. Cornelius would eventually pick her to become a vocalist for the huge successful R&B band, Shalamar. (Photo: Tribune Entertainment/ Everett Collection)

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Celebrity Interviews - Don Cornelius interviewed countless musicians on Soul Train. Here he is with the lovely Jody Watley.(Photo:  Tribune Entertainment/courtesy Everett Collection)

Big Tigger and Julissa Bermudez - Tig and Julissa held down the 106 & Park hosting duties for a hot minute! (Photo: Ray Tamarra/Getty Images)

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Big Tigger and Julissa Bermudez - Tig and Julissa held down the 106 & Park hosting duties for a hot minute! (Photo: Ray Tamarra/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Ray Tamarra/Getty Images

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The Hot Spot - Back in the 1970s, being on Soul Train was the place to be on Saturdays.

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The Hot Spot - Back in the 1970s, being on Soul Train was the place to be on Saturdays.

Freestyle Friday - 106 & Park’s Freestyle Friday has been a spotlight for up-and-coming MCs for years. (Photo: John Ricard / BET)

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Freestyle Friday - 106 & Park’s Freestyle Friday has been a spotlight for up-and-coming MCs for years. (Photo: John Ricard / BET)

Photo By Photo: John Ricard / BET

"You have 60 seconds..." - As emblematic as the Soul Train logo, the Scramble Board has remained a sacred component to the show for as long as its been on air. Failure to accurately unscramble the word in 60 seconds is the musical equivalent to failing the bar exam—and best believe it’s twice as humiliating. (Photo: Everett Collection)

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Soul Train Dancers - To be a Soul Train dancer you had to be one of funkiest people on the planet. (Photo: Tribune Entertainment / Everett Collection)

Battle Round - Loyalty fought back with all of their might.(Photo by Fernando Leon/PictureGroup)

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Wild-Out Wednesday Dancers - 106 & Park keeps the Soul Train Dancers' collective spirits alive with their dance competitions on W.O.W.(Photo:  Fernando Leon/PictureGroup)

Photo By Photo by Fernando Leon/PictureGroup

Doing the Robot on Soul Train  - To promote their 1974 hit "Dancing Machine," the Jackson 5 took the TV stage of Soul Train to perform. Little did the audience know that a teenage Mike had been studying the famous moves of Slim the Robot, a member of the pioneering dance troupe the Lockers. They (and millions across America) witnessed Michael's street-dance skills during the song's breakdown segment as he proceeded to lock, swivel and slide his way to the front of the stage... and into hip hop history.

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The Jackson 5 - The Jackson 5 were one of the many artists who were forever indebted to Soul Train.(Photo: 2001 Tribune Entertainment)

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Mindless Behavior - Similarly to Soul Train, 106 & Park has helped the careers of many musicians including Mindless Behavior.  (Photo: John Ricard / BET)

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Mindless Behavior - Similarly to Soul Train, 106 & Park has helped the careers of many musicians including Mindless Behavior.  (Photo: John Ricard / BET)

Rock ‘n’ Blues - Chuck Berry breaks it down on Soul Train with his signature guitar playing moves.(Photo: 2001 Tribune Entertainment / Getty Images)

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Chuck Berry - Rock ‘n roll Hall of Famer Chuck Berry was one of the many legendary performers to hit the Soul Train stage.(Photo: 2001 Tribune Entertainment)

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Chris Brown - Legend-in-the-making Chris Brown always brings down the house during his 106 performances. (Photo:  Ben Hider/PictureGroup)

Photo By Ben Hider/PictureGroup

Soul Train Supreme - Don Cornelius stands proudly next to the original R&B Diva Diana Ross. (Photo: 2001 Tribune Entertainment / Getty Images)

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Diana Ross - Music icon Diana Ross graced Soul Train various times throughout her career.(Photo: 2001 Tribune Entertainment)

Destiny's Child Stopped by for Thanksgiving Dinner During AJ and Free's Reign - (Photo: John Ricard/FilmMagic)

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Destiny's Child - The Beyoncé-led Destiny’s Child ruled 106 & Park during their run in the early 2000s. (Photo: John Ricard/FilmMagic)

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Rising Stars - In the 1970s and 1980s, megastar talent — including James Brown, Diana Ross, Michael Jackson and Aretha Franklin — made guest appearances on the show. Perhaps even more thrilling was catching a glimpse of a star on the rise, including a young Janet Jackson, who first appeared on the dance-music program in 1982. (Photo: 2001 Tribune Entertainment/Getty Images)

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Aretha Franklin - The Queen is here! Aretha Franklin brought her tender, love and singing pipes to all her Soul Train appearances. (Photo: 2001 Tribune Entertainment)

Advocate for Real Music - During a 2006 panel discussion at the Essence Music Festival, Scott criticized rap music as being "dirty, inappropriate, inadequate, unhealthy and polluted" and urged the listening audience to realize their own power and "demand more." (Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images)

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Jill Scott - Jill Scott’s melodic and heartfelt songs are reminiscent of yesteryear’s Soul Train performers. The Philly girl has been a staple on 106 & Park and BET since the beginning of her career. (Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images

The Soul Train Line Never Stops - Stevie Wonder stirs the Soul Train line with his trademark style and performance.  (Photo: Everett Collection)

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Stevie Wonder - Gather around, Stevie’s got a story to tell. Stevie Wonder tickles the ivories during one of his Soul Train performances.(Photo: 2001 Tribune Entertainment)

Alicia Keys - Following in Stevie’s footsteps, Alicia Keys performs for 106 & Park’s Livest Audience. (Photo: Brad Barket/Getty Images)

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Alicia Keys - Following in Stevie’s footsteps, Alicia Keys performs for 106 & Park’s Livest Audience. (Photo: Brad Barket/Getty Images)

Terrence and Rocsi - Terrence J and Rocsi Diaz have kept the ball moving on 106 & Park for the last six years. 106 & Park dedicates tonight's show to Don Cornelius. Watch it at 6P/5C only on BET.(Photo: John Ricard / BET)

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Terrence and Rocsi - Terrence J and Rocsi Diaz have kept the ball moving on 106 & Park for the last six years. 106 & Park dedicates tonight's show to Don Cornelius. Watch it at 6P/5C only on BET.(Photo: John Ricard / BET)