VH1 tracks 40 years of 'Soul Train'

THE DOCUMENTARY "Soul Train: The Hippest Trip in America"

WHEN | WHERE Tomorrow at 9:30 p.m. on VH1.

THE DEAL It was the little show that could. Beginning its ride as a local, black-and-white-filmed dance show on Chicago's WCIU-TV, "Soul Train" chugged its way to Los Angeles and into pop-culture history. The syndicated franchise's impact is chronicled in this 40th anniversary tribute.

WHAT IT'S ABOUT Narrated by actor Terrence Howard with an original score by The Roots' Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson, the 90-minute documentary teems with performance clips and commentary by former dancers and crew members as well as music executives (Clive Davis, Antonio "L.A." Reid) and major artists who appeared on "Soul Train," including Chaka Khan, Snoop Dogg, Aretha Franklin and Sly Stone. At the helm is "Soul Train" creator-producer-host Don Cornelius.

THE MEANING OF IT ALL "This is so much more than a story about a man with a vision for a music dance show," says Kenard Gibbs, a co-principal in Soul Train Holdings with Peter Griffith and Anthony Maddox. "Had it not been for the social and political forces stirring the pot, the show probably wouldn't have been as successful. It empowered African-Americans, showing our culture and creativity in a light not seen on TV. This was reality TV at its best."

After its 1971 move to L.A., "Soul Train" not only spun off award shows, but also a No. 1 R&B / pop hit in 1974, MFSB's "TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia"). The Gamble & Huff-produced single originally was billed as "The Theme From 'Soul Train.' "

DON CORNELIUS SPEAKS During a recent phone interview, Cornelius says his fondest memory is the show's early validation by major R&B talent. "Gladys Knight & the Pips helped us start out, but we didn't know where it would go from there. We were just determined to make this happen, feeling it was the right kind of show for this country at the time," he recalls. "Then, one day, James Brown walked onto the soundstage. A few months later came the Jackson 5 and then Stevie Wonder. So we're thinking, 'OK, this might work.' "