“Soul Train,” which charted the soul, R&B and hip-hop genres for more than 35 years on TV, is headed to DVD, bringing with it decades of performances by Michael Jackson and other iconic acts.
“Soul Train” DVDs will be released under the Time Life label, and series clips will be licensed for other outside uses. Direct Holdings Americas, parent company of the Time Life brand, has acquired DVD distribution rights to the entire “Soul Train” catalog.
Much of the material, which also includes concerts by Al Green, Aretha Franklin and the Temptations, is being made available for licensing and DVD for the first time. (unless of course you’ve copped the Japanese dubs!)
The deal, which was in the works before Jackson’s death on June 25, takes on greater significance as demand skyrockets for material related to the King of Pop.
While there are no specific “Soul Train” DVD titles planned, the company has a slew of Jackson footage it can piece together for releases, including live performances of “I Want You Back,” “Dancing Machine” and “Don’t Say Goodbye Again” from his days in the Jackson 5 and “Whatever You Got I Want,” “What You Don’t Know Won’t Hurt You” and “If I Don’t Love You This Way” from his days as an emerging solo act.
Definitely check out Soul Train’s youtube page to catch up on your dance moves, fashion tips & hair styles til you can get the DVD!
The clip licensing half of the agreement is already under way. In addition to the youtube channel, show clips can be viewed at globalimageworks.com. In regards to the DVD rollout, once music clearances are completed, the company will determine its initial release slate and other details.
In the meantime, BET’s new Centric channel will bring back the Soul Train Awards this November. The channel is licensing old episodes of the dance show for broadcast as well. Also a “Soul Train” documentary is being developed for VH1, and in discussion for next year: a new “Soul Train” show.
via Variety/ SoulAssasins
See!?! See how energy travels?!? I was literally JUST telling my friend last week that Don Cornelius needs to broker a deal to officially re-release Soul Train episodes on DVD! And here you come bearing good news!! I’ve had to settle for bootleg Japanese video tapes with subtitles all these years!!
Now we can finally see what REAL Soul Train dancers look like!! Damita Jo Freeman, Jody Watley & Jeffrey Daniel, Jimmy “Scooby Doo” Foster, Pat Davis…even that long-haired Asian chick from the 80s!! Knowing how obsessive compulsive I am, I’d probably try to collect all 35 years worth if they issued it!!
Now all they need to do is issue some funky Soul Train t-shirts…I’m talkin about vintage, old-school, glittered iron-on transfer funky!!
I danced on the show in the 70′s 2 1/2 years and will be good to get videos of those times.
We were often too busy to even watch the shows, so now I can do a bit more reminiscing.
Thanks for the info.
Keedah (The Original Goddess)
please hurryand releasesoultrain on dvd i have all 33episodes missing 2episodes i really love the 70s i really would love to see the lockers with rerun back in 76 whenthey wer on the show thank you mr don cornelius for the music and show especially the soultrain dancers please hurry and put soooultrain on dvd love peace and soul baby