Soul! Original Broadcast Dates, Guests, and Hosts.
(NOTE: this list does not reflect the existence of physical tapes of all these episodes. It is for reference only.)
1968
September 12, 1968 (Premiere episode)
Guests: Barbara Acklin, Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles, Novella Nelson, Billy Taylor, The Vibrations and Pearl Williams Jones, and Irwin C. Watson
Hosts: Alvin Poussaint and Loretta Long
September 26, 1968 (second episode)
Guests: Betty Shabazz (widow of Malcolm X), author Julius Lester, comedian Arnold Dover, vocalist Tiny Irvin, vocal quintet Popular Five, vocal quartet Sweet Inspirations
Hosts: Alvin Poussaint and Loretta Long
October 10, 1968
Featured: Segments of the second act of Hair, Michael Butler’s smash Broadway production of the American-Tribal Love-Rock Musical, presented with members of the show’s cast performing exactly as they did at the Biltmore Theater. Hair was the first integrated musical produced on Broadway.
Host: Alvin F. Poussaint
October 17, 1968
Guests: The Sam and Dave Revue: Sam and Dave Orchestra, comedian Redd Foxx, vocal trio The Mirettes, and vocalists Johnny “K”. Double Dynamite Duo Sam and Dave, whose sensational hit recording of “Soul Man” last year earned them their first gold record. Maxine Brown – “soul, poignancy, sex, subtlety, sincerity, humor, and warmth – packed neatly into one great voice.”
Host: Alvin F. Poussaint
October 24, 1968
Guests: Barbara Ann Teer, Marion Williams, the Last Poets, Duke and Leonard
Co-hosts: Ellis Haizlip and Loretta Long
The director is Arnee Nocks, since Ivan Cury had just had a heart attack!
October 31, 1968
Guests:Gilbert Price, The Manhattans, Lilly Fields*, and a special debate on the 1968 Presidential Elections
Hosts: Loretta Long and Ellis Haizlip
November 7, 1968
Guests: Billy Taylor Trio, vocalist and composer Delsey McKay, vocal group C and the Shells, Henry Davis of the New York Giants
November 14, 1968
Guests: comedian Joe Keyes, singing group 125th Street Candy Store, Vertamae Grosvenor, Johnny Taylor, Jimmy McGriff and Trio
November 21, 1968
Guests: vocalist Mary Wells accompanied Cecil and Harry Womack, singer Jackie Verdell, Florence Rice of the Harlem Consumer Educational Council, song stylist Shirley Shaw
Hosts: Ellis Haizlip and Loretta Long
November 28, 1968
Guests: The Rufus Harley Quartet and the Dinizulu Africa Dance Company
Hosts: Ellis Haizlip and Loretta Long
December 5, 1968
Guests: singer Maxine Brown, author Ann Moody, Clarence Haynes*, singing group The Constellations, singer George Smith
Hosts: Ellis Haizlip and Loretta Long
December 12, 1968
Tribute to Hal Jackson, popular radio personality, in recognition of his many contributions to broadcasting and the metropolitan community.
Guests: Don Covay and the Sandpebbles
December 19, 1968
This program was devoted to the Latin Soul Beat and African Music
Guests: Senorita Carla Pinza (a Puerto Rican actress, singer and dancer), Los Pleneros (Puerto Rican rhythm band), Matiwane Manana* (African folk singer/dancer and his musical group), Cruz Martinez* (Puerto Rican composer/guitarist), and Clayton Riley of the Manhattan Tribune
Host: Ellis Haizlip
December 26, 1968
Guests: Alex Bradford, vocalist Lonnie Youngblood, Robert MacBeth, Chuck Jackson, Spider Harrison, The Soul Children
Host: Ellis Haizlip
1969
January 2, 1969
Guests: Ben E. King, The Mamseilles*, Brad Lundy*, Rita Lamont*
Host: Ellis Haizlip
January 9, 1969
Guests: author James Baldwin, blues singer B.B. King, economic developer of the Harlem Commonwealth Council Norman McGhee, vocal group The O’Jays, singer Jean DuShon, and others.
January 16, 1969
Guests: vocal group Ruby and the Romantics, soloist Aldora Bitton*, singing duo Peaches and Herb, singer George Tipton, and pianist and conductor Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson
Host: Ellis Haizlip
January 23, 1969
Guests: comedians Kenny and Warren, Mario Van Peebles
January 30, 1969
Guests: vocalist Rita Lamont*, singing duo Sugar and Spice, singing group the Delfonics, cartoonist Brumsic Brandon Jr., artist Max Bond
Host: Ellis Haizlip
February 6, 1969
Guests: vocalist Jerry Butler, singer Brenda Jo Harris, Willie and the Mighty Magnificent, the Pace Brothers, actress Judy Pace, sculptress and consultant to CBS’s “Black Heritage” Inge Hardison
February 13, 1969
Guests: vocalists Eddie Floyd and Laura Lee
Host: Ellis Haizlip
February 20, 1969 (to be posted)
Guests: The Last Poets perform their latest poems, concerning contemporary black life, to drum accompaniment. Gospel singer Marion Williams, singing male duo Duke and Leonard, and actress Barbara Ann Teer
Host: Ellis Haizlip
February 27, 1969
Guests: The Five Stairsteps and Cubie, The Soul Dukes and The Phondellic Dancers*
Host: Ellis Haizlip
March 6, 1969
Guests: vocalist Dee Dee Warwick, New York Democratic Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, and others
Host: Ellis Haizlip
March 13, 1969
Guests: singers Joe Tex, Carol Woods and Randy Madison
Host: Ellis Haizlip
March 20, 1969
Guests: Ella Mitchell and the Gospel All Stars, Jessy Dixon and the Chicago Community Choir, Inez Andrews, and The Mighty Clouds of Harmony
Host: Ellis Haizlip
March 27, 1969
Guest: saxophonist King Curtis and his five-piece band the Kingpins
April 3, 1969
Guests: vocalist Eddie Floyd, The Sweet Inspirations, John Oliver Killens, and Junior Walker & the All Stars
Host: Ellis Haizlip
April 10, 1969
Guests: The Fred Benjamin Dancers and vocalist Roberta Flack
Host: Ellis Haizlip
April 17, 1969
Guests: The Precisions, Ruth McFadden, Chris White, Marva Josie and Eddie Griffin
Host: Ellis Haizlip
May 1, 1969
Guests: Novella Nelson, Pharoah Sanders Quintet with vocalist Leon Thomas, author and playwright LeRoi Jones (Amiri Baraka)
Hosts: Ellis Haizlip and LeRoi Jones
May 8, 1969
Guests: vocal group Archie Bell & the Drells, and vocalists Jean Wells and Paul Vann
Host: Ellis Haizlip
May 15, 1969
Guests: singing group The Precisions, comedian Tom Patterson*, and others
Host: Ellis Haizlip
May 22, 1969
Guests: singer and guitarist Clarence Carter, singers Dee Dee Sharp and Candi Staton, singing group The Lollipops, and magician Frank Brents
Hosts: Ellis Haizlip
May 29, 1969
Guests: singer Ann Duquesnay, Percy Sledge and the Sledgehammers, The Soul Tree, and others
Host: Ellis Haizlip
unknown date
Guest: Marian Williams
Host: Wilson Pickett
1970
February 5, 1970 (Season Premiere)
Guests: actor James Earl Jones, Lonnie Elder III, author of “Ceremonies in Dark Old Men”, and others
Host: Curtis Mayfield
February 12, 1970
Guests: singer and pianist Henry Shed, The Moments, Melba Moore, and musical group The Honey Cone
Host: Curtis Mayfield
February 19, 1970
Guests: King Curtis & the Kingpins, singer Eddie Floyd, blues performer B.B. King, and animator Tee Collins
Host: Curtis Mayfield
February 26, 1970
Guests: The Unifics, Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles, Roberta Flack, Gale Sayers of the Chicago Bears, and other guests
Host: Jerry Butler
March 5, 1970
Guests: Billy Butler & the Infinity, Vivian Reed, Archie Bell & the Drells, and Muhammad Ali
Host: Jerry Butler
March 12, 1970
Guests: LeRoi Jones (Amiri Baraka) and The Pharoah Sanders Ensemble
March 19, 1970
Guests: Clarence Carter, Candi Staton, Arthur Conley, and author Vertamae Grosvenor
Host: Wilson Pickett
April 2, 1970
Guests: Kool and the Gang, Eddie Holman, The Emotions, Gary Byrd, King Curtis, and Tony Brown, chairman of the newly-formed National Association of Black Media Producers
Host: Joe Tex
April 9, 1970
Guests: Ruby Dee, Ossie Davis and Marion Williams
Host: Ellis Haizlip
April 16, 1970
Guests: Gloria O. Smith (Miss Black America), The Five Stairsteps, The Delfonics, and Carla Thomas
Host: Hal Jackson
April 23, 1970
Guests: South African singer Letta Mbulu, Ronnie Dyson, Tyrone Davis, and cartoonist Brumsic Brandon
Host: Len Chandler
April 30, 1970
Guests: The Sweet Inspirations, poet Gylan Kain, magician Frank Brents, and others
Host: Len Chandler
May 7, 1970
Guests: Arthur Prysock, musical duo Mel and Tim, composer Carman Moore, opera singer Laura Mann, King Curtis & the Kingpins
Host: Maxine Brown
May 14, 1970
Guests: singer Ruby Andrews, singer Donnie Hathaway and others
Host: Jerry Butler
May 21, 1970
Special program in observation of Pan-African Solidarity week, with “The Ritual” by The National Black Theater, led by founder and actress Barbara Ann Teer
May 28, 1970
Guests: vocal group The Manhattans, blues singer Little Milton, actress Novella Nelson of “Purlie”, and others
Host: Jerry Butler
June 4, 1970
Guests: Holly Maxwell, Sonia Sanchez, Joe Lee Wilson and Timothy Person*
Host: Jerry Butler
June 11, 1970
Guests: Kim Weston, Isaac Douglas & the Isaac Douglas Singers, Bobby Hebb, and others
Host: Ellis Haizlip
June 18, 1970
Guests: Cissy Houston, the Herbie Hancock Sextet, Nikki Giovanni, Larry Neal, and King Curtis & the Kingpins
Host: Ellis Haizlip
1971
January 7, 1971 (Premiere of 4th Season)
“Salute to Black Women”
Guests: Carmen de Lavallade, Carolyn Franklin, Nikki Giovanni, Margaret Harris, Novella Nelson, and others
January 14, 1971
Guests: actor Scoey Mitchell, The Sweet Inspirations, and The Moments
January 21, 1971
Guests: The Black Dance Union, Ronnie Dyson and others
Host: Ellis Haizlip
January 28, 1971
Guests: Leon Thomas, Vivian Reed, Don L. Lee and Louise Meriwether
February 4, 1971
Guests: The Staple Singers, the Three Degrees, Willie Feaster and the Mighty Magnificents, and Presto the Great
Host: Hal Jackson
February 11, 1971
Guests: Jimmy Owens, Esther Phillips and Andrew Hill
Host: Ed Williams
February 18, 1971
Guests: The NYC Community Choir
February 25, 1971
Guests: Thelma Houston, Jayne Cortez and the New York Bass Violin Choir
March 4, 1971
Guest: Keorapetse Kgositsile
Host: South African expatriate singer Letta Mbulu
March 11, 1971
This show centered around troubles in Cairo, Illinois. Rev. James Koen, activist and leader, was the key guest.
Host: Alonzo Brown, Jr., one of the show’s writers.
March 25, 1971
Guests: The Intruders, The Ebonys, Billy Paul and Dee Dee Sharp
Host: Ed Williams
April 1, 1971
Guests: Kool and the Gang, the Voices of East Harlem, and poet Mae Jackson
April 8, 1971
Guests: Junior Walker and the All Stars, Lea Roberts, and the DuPonts
Host: Ellis Haizlip
April 15, 1971
Guests: Novella Nelson and Joe Simone*
Host: Clayton Riley
April 22, 1971
Guests: Buddy Miles, David Nelson and Arsenio*
Host: Vera Mae* (Vertamae Grosvenor?)
April 29, 1971
Guests: folksinger Odetta, Empress Mysikltta Fa Sennatao*, poet David Henderson
May 6, 1971
Guests: poet Victor Hernandez Cruz and veteran of struggle for black liberation Queen Mother Moore, Jazz Singer Betty Carter, and Blues singer Jimmy Witherspoon. Plus Trumpeter Joe Newman heading an all-star band.
Host: Soul! writer Alonzo Brown, Jr.
May 13, 1971
Guests: King Curtis & the Kingpins, Valerie Simpson, Nick Ashford, and Roy Haynes & the Hip Ensemble
Host: Ellis Haizlip
May 20, 1971 (repeated on February 23, 1972)
Guests: Betty Shabazz (widow of Malcolm X), music ensemble Umoja, and a quartet of jazz and blues pianists
Host: Ellis Haizlip
May 27, 1971
Guest: The Reverend Louis Farrakhan, National Spokesman for the Nation of Islam
Host: Ellis Haizlip
June 3, 1971
Guests: Rufus Thomas, Jimmy Scott, Ida Lewis*
Host: Carla Thomas
June 10, 1971
Guests: guitarist Richie Havens, the original cast from all-black musical “Sambo,” and poet Mari Evans
Host: Ellis Haizlip
October 6, 1971 (to be posted)
Guests: the George Faison Universal Dance Experience, and poets Imamu Amiri Baraka (LeRoi Jones) and Mae Jackson
October 13, 1971
Guests: jazz pianist Herbie Hancock and his sextet, and Felipe Luciano, one of the Original Last Poets
October 20, 1971
Guests: LaBelle, Mrs. Georgia Jackson (mother of slain Soledad Brother George Jackson), and group Mandrill
Host: Ellis Haizlip
October 27, 1971
An “experience” from the island of Puerto Rico, taped on location. The program is co-produced by actress/dancer Carla Pinza and singer Carlos Cabiya.
Soul episode#46 (shot October 13, 1971–airdate unclear) (to be posted)
In a departure from the series’ usual format, this program is devoted entirely to a film titled “Epitaph,” the story of a Black youth whose life is ended by heroin. It was written by a 26-year-old Black filmmaker, Richard Mason, who died of an overdose two months after starting on the production. The work was completed by Samuel Holmes, a graduate of NET’s Television Training School for young people from minority groups.
November 3, 1971 (to be posted)
“The Roots of Black Protest”
Guests: This program traces the roots of Black protest in America through Frederick Douglass’ greatest orations performed by actor Arthur Burghardt, with performances by drummer Max Roach and his jazz ensemble with the J.C. White Singers.
Host: Ellis Haizlip
November 10, 1971 (to be posted)
Guests: Trumpeter Hugh Masekela and the Union of South Africa, poet Wanda Robinson.
Host: Ellis Haizlip
November 17, 1971 (watch now)
Guests: A cappella group The Persuasions, singer Bobby Hebb, bassist Ron Carter, and six-man percussion ensemble M’Boom (led by Max Roach)
Host: Ellis Haizlip
November 24, 1971 (to be posted)
Guests: Singer Irene Reid, poet Jackie Earley, and R&B group Boobie Knight and the Soulciety.
December 1, 1971
Guests: Wilson Pickett and actor Al Freeman, Jr.
December 8, 1971 (to be posted)
Guests: Melvin Van Peebles and the cast of “Ain’t Supposed to Die a Natural Death,” and Kathleen Cleaver, wife of exiled Panther leader Eldridge Cleaver.
Host: Ellis Haizlip
December 15, 1971
Guest: author James Baldwin, Part I
Host: Nikki Giovanni
December 22, 1971
Guest: author James Baldwin, Part II
Host: Nikki Giovanni
December 29, 1971 (to be posted)
Guests: Singer Bill Withers, poet Mae Jackson, and the McCoy Tyner Quartet
Host: Ellis Haizlip
1972
January 5, 1972 (to be posted)
Guests: Muhammad Ali, singer Miriam Makeba, and vocal gorup the Delfonics
Host: Nikki Giovanni
January 12, 1972
Guests: Jerry Butler, Peaches, Anna Horsford, and dentist Dr. Stanley Nelson
January 19, 1972 (to be posted)
Guests: Lynn Brown (wife of Black activist H. Rap Brown); gospel group the Shirley Caesar Singers, and musical group The Main Ingredient
Host: Ellis Haizlip
January 26, 1972 (to be posted)
‘The Blue Note Show’
Guests: Keyboardist Horace Silver with vocalists Andy and Salome Bey, trumpeter Lee Morgan, flutist Bobbi Humphrey
Host: Ellis Haizlip
February 2, 1972
Guests: Actor/singer Ronnie Dyson, singer Cissy Houston and poets China Clark and Quincy Troupe
February 9, 1972 (to be posted)
Guests: Gladys Knight and the Pips, and poets Carolyn Rodgers and Norman Jordan
February 16, 1972
Guests: Singer Al Green, author Vertamae Grosvenor, the Isaac Douglas Singers, writer Alice Childress, and poet Camille Yarbrough
February 23, 1972
Guests: Betty Shabazz, widow of Malcolm X, music ensemble Umoja, and a quartet of jazz and blues pianists
Host: Ellis Haizlip
March 1, 1972 (watch now)
“The Young Peoples Show”
Guests: child keyboard prodigy Lucky Peterson, singing groups Black Ivory and Jimmy Briscoe and the Little Beavers, poets Michael Goode and Vanessa Howard, and students and teachers from Newark’s Chad School.
Host: Loretta Green
March 8, 1972 (to be posted)
Guests: Singer Merry Clayton and the Reverend Jesse Jackson
Host: Ellis Haizlip
March 15, 1972
Guests: Author Chester Himes, actor Al Freeman Jr., and The Dells
Hosts: Ellis Haizlip and Nikki Giovanni
March 22, 1972
Guests: Actors Sidney Poitier and Harry Belafonte, and Broadway star Novella Nelson
March 29, 1972
Guests: Actors Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis, and composer-saxophonist Lucky Thompson and an eight-piece jazz ensemble
October 4, 1972 (watch now)
Guests: Jazz musician Rahsaan Roland Kirk & the Vibration Society
Host: Ellis Haizlip
October 11, 1972 (watch now)
Guests: Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson
October 18, 1972 (to be posted)
(compilation show of material from the previous year)
Guests: Jackie Earley, Sonia Sanchez, Nikki Giovanni, Anna Horsford, the George Faison Universal Dance Experience, Letta Mbulu, Lee Morgan, Al Green, and Gladys Knight and the Pips
October 25, 1972
Guest: Nation of Islam minister Louis Farrakhan
Host: Ellis Haizlip.
November 1, 1972
Guests: New Birth, Nightlighters, and Moonglows.
Host: Gerry Bledsoe
November 8, 1972 (to be posted)
“Baraka the Artist”
Guest: poet Amiri Baraka
Host: Ellis Haizlip
November 15, 1972
“Shades of Soul, Part I”
Guests: Latin musicians Tito Puente and Willie Colon accompanied by their orchestras
Host: Felipe Luciano
November 22, 1972 (to be posted)
“Shades of Soul, Part II”
Guests: Trio LaBelle and musician Mongo Santamaria
Host: Ellis Haizlip
November 29, 1972 (to be posted)
Guest: Actor Ron O’Neal, and musicians Zulema and Black Heart
Host: Ellis Haizlip
December 6, 1972 (to be posted)
Guest: Carmen McRae
Host: Ellis Haizlip
December 13, 1972 (to be posted)
Guests: Actress Cicely Tyson and musical acts Taj Mahal and Exuma
December 20, 1972
Guests: Stevie Wonder and Wonderlove
December 27, 1972
Guests: Poet Nikki Giovanni and the NYC Community Chorus
1973
January 3, 1973
Guest: an evening with singer Al Green
Host: Ellis Haizlip
January 10, 1973 (watch now)
Guests: Tony Award-winning singer Linda Hopkins & the Soul Quintet, and musical group Earth, Wind & Fire
Hosts: Gerry Bledsoe and Ellis Haizlip
January 17, 1973 (to be posted)
Guests: The Spinners and the Jimmy Castor Bunch
February 7, 1973 (to be posted)
Guest: Stokely Carmichael
February 14, 1973
Guest: singer Esther Phillips, and a performance of “The Johnson Girls,” which centers around six young Southern ladies.
February 21, 1973 (to be posted)
Guests: vocal group Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, singer Esther Marrow, and Encore magazine editor Ida Lewis
February 28, 1973
Guest: performer/composer/keyboard artist Billy Preston and his musical group.
March 7, 1973 (the last episode) (to be posted)
Soul! staff: Ellis Haizlip, Alonzo Brown Jr., Anna Horsford, Sherri Santifer, Loretta Green and Leslie Demus read poetry – and letters from viewers throughout the country, and share clips of LaBelle (from the first episode of Soul!), and King Curtis (musical director of Soul!, who passed away during the show’s run).
Host: Ellis Haizlip
Current Status of Soul! Episodes:
We will be digitizing as many of these episodes as we can, posting them to this site. However, a number of the shows on this list currently have the status of “lost”. We’re hoping that tapes of some of them will surface as the result of this endeavor of putting the show online. If you have tapes of any of these episodes, let us know.
(The information within this section was gathered by archivist Winter Shanck from old 13/WNET/NET Program Guides, WNDT and WNET Annual Reports, and The New York Times TV Listings.)
* unconfirmed guest or affiliation
god bless you for showing these priceless episodes..im 39 years old and i wasn’t aware of soul back then but i did watch soul train..i just found out about this show last year..i man was selling episodes on the street..i have the episodes will Bill withers, al green, billy preston, stevie wonder, earth wind and fire, harold melvin and the blue notes and muhammed ali..
Please post the Horace Silver / Lee Morgan episode ASAP!
This series was monumental documentation of some remarkable artists. Thanks for finally getting this up!
Now, new generations can see and hear and experience truly great music of a different era.
Hello & thank you. I always wondered when/if episodes of this great show would ever air again. Please think about issuing a special edition DVD of the entire “Soul” series - I would buy it in a New York minute. Thanks again.
TOTALL MASS KILL! Post ‘em if ya got ‘em!
BEAUTIFUL…LETS SEE THEM ALL…..BLUE MAGIC AND TAVARES ESPECIALLY….
I have been searching and hoping for episodes of Soul! to resurface for over 10 years now. So many classic performances! Keep em coming and THANKS!
This is great news!! Any one who has not seen the 1973 Al Green show is in for a treat!!
I remember these shows with fond memories! I worked on many of them from 1971 to 1974. I did video on some of them and audio on others!
I do have about 10 shows on the original 2 inch tapes.
Nick
God dawg! I don’t believe it! Thank you for making this available again to the public. When I was a kid growing up in the South Bronx, Soul changed my life. Particularly the the EW & F episode and the two part Shades of Soul which Felipe Luciano hosted and featured maestros Tito Puente, Willie Colon and Mongo Santamaria whom I would later play drums and timbales for when I became an adult. Over the years I’ve told many people about this show but now they can finally experience it for themselves. PBS was so ahead of their time it boggles the mind. I’ve already e-mailed several of the episodes as learning tools for my students at the Manhattan School of Music and The New School University where I teach in their jazz departments and to many of my friends. Thank you for bringing the last age of hipness on TV back!!! With our new President and now this, maybe we’ll be able to initiate a new age of cultural enlightenment. Thank you PBS for remembering. Double God dawg!!!
Ache’ (positive energy),
Bobby Sanabria
Thank you. I have been inquiring about the episodes for awhile. This is a treasure. Ache’
Thank you…..this era is sorely missed and this series has never been equaled!!!!
I’d like to thank everyone at PBS who made the Soul! videos available to a new generation of music fans. I totally dug the videos with host Felipe Luciano, starring Tito Puente and Willie Colon. I must have replayed these about 10 times in one sitting! It would be great to be able to purchase these on DVDs (hint! hint!). I would also love to see the episodes with Lee Morgan as well. Keep up the good work and thanks again!
Amazing posts! please bring on the King Curtis and Jimmy Castor Bunch!
thank you, thank you!
oh my goodness! my buddy bj sent me this and said YOU WON’T BELEIVE IT!! And she was right!! For the generations of today this is a MUST SEE! You want to hear real RAP,You want to hear real R&B,You want to hear real JAZZ,You want to hear real real GOSPEL,You want to hear and see some real singing and playing from some really blessed and gifted people?? Well finally its here! I hope and pray that as many episodes that can be found gets posted and we are blessed with hearing and seeing representation of our black,hispanic culture FINALLY!! THIS IS SUCH A GREAT THING!! THANK YOU
This is fantastic. Too late? For some perhaps- but quality is timeless. And SOUL is timeless. Why do you think so many of us remember it after all these years? Thank you WNET.
These were truly the glory days of black music and black entertainers. We were magnificent. There was no lipsynching - you had to bring it or keep your a** off the stage. We used to dress like Kings and Queens - we had pride and dignity in our craft as well as our race. It wasn’t all about getting paid and making videos and bling. I am so glad to see this long lost part of our heritage brought back to the fore. May it serve to inspire and uplift. I for one am doing any and evrything I can through my own performances to make sure that these heroes are NEVER forgotten.
Having said all that - I often wondered why James Brown never appeared on SOUL! Anyone know why?
This is proof that cream always rises to the top. It may be a long time coming, but it gets there. The variety is astounding. Soul,jazz,blues,and all the other facets of our glorious black culture and experience are here. Many of these artists are no longer with us, making this presentation especially meaningful. WNET, you have outdone yourself.
This is a musical blessing. When I watch shows like this, with such great talent, I know I made the right choice to become a musician. I highly recommend this show to everyone. It’s an outstanding program that presents our people with dignity, intelligence, and creativity. Thank You WNET.
It is really wonderful to see these clips of Linda Hopkins from what I think is the most soulful era in her career. Linda Hopkins was and still is a star, and just one of the greatest singers ever. I hope this will raise new opportunities for her, as it has been a little quiet around her lately..
Incredible footage. Thank you for sharing such gems of some of the “soul” of music!
Fantastic! The return of “Soul”!
I remember this show..it was on every weekend in the house..I remember brother Pharoah (one of my influences,even now). I remember the Rahsaan one too..i still feel bad for that chair!
It was great that all those creative jazz artists were able to be seen..Andrew Hill,Mtume,Lucky Thompson..along with the poetry…oh yeah..Soul TV.
Many would absolutely LOVE to see the 11-Feb-1971 Soul episode with the late, great ANDREW HILL — the very earliest known film/video performance of Hill. AND, Woody Shaw was in that band too — and that clip would ALSO be the very earliest known film/video performance of Shaw. The full line-up of the group was Andrew Hill, Carlos Garnett, Woody Shaw, Victor Sproles, & Roy Haynes. Please, please, PLEASE make this episode available for viewing — many thanks!!!
Fantastic… Absolutely Fantastic!!! Thank you for feeding my soul. I was not even aware of the SOUL series since I was in the service overseas. Now, I wonder how much I missed during 4 years overseas. You seemed to have covered the entire SOUL spectrum. I hope you will make ALL the series available on DVD. Roland Kirk, M’Boom, Willie Colon, Earth, Wind and Fire, Tito, Hector LaVoe, Ron Carter (on electric bass…WOW!!!), Bobby Hebb… All these fabulous artists and rich soulful musical history… Priceless. I am contacting folk in my network immediately. Thank You So Much.
P.S. The episode with Rufus Harley on Jazz Bagpipes is a must see.
Thank you,thank you,thank you so much for sharing these classic performances. I used to watch “SOUL” regularly,when it aired on WTTW in Chicago. This was a great show and I miss it dearly.
Ellis Haizip had a great concept for a program like “SOUL”.
It would be a delight to see some of the older episodes,like the Feb 27,1969 episode with the Five Stairsteps. (I remember when it originally aired)
Thanks!
Thank you ever so much, this is absolutely amazing! I would really love to see the June 18, 1970 and Oct. 13, 1971 episodes with the Herbie Hancock Sextet. PLEEEEASE! Like others who have commented already I hope you will make the entire series available on DVD - without question Soul! is one of the most important and arresting documents of black culture in the late 60s and early 70s.
Thank you so for this, I definitely want to see the five stairsteps and the Unifics
What an amazing archive! I would love to see this one: May 1, 1969
Guests: Novella Nelson, Pharoah Sanders Quintet with vocalist Leon Thomas, author and playwright LeRoi Jones (Amiri Baraka)
Hosts: Ellis Haizlip and LeRoi Jones
rom the other side of the world, I’m greeting PBS for this great opportunity to see one of PR greatest singer. Like it was mentioned above, I would love to buy the whole show with Felipe Luciano, Tito Puente y Willie Colon. A classic.
Finally!!! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!! I hope you will prep this for a PBS special(for national release) and get that DVD collection ready for sale! This is a precious archive and I am so happy that it was not lost. I remember watching these episodes as a kid. The feeling it gave me cannot be put into words…but I’m getting that same feeling watching the episodes on line. Thirteen ROCKS forever!!!
I had been wondering and waiting for years, hoping someone would dig into the archives and distribute this classic PBS show. Although I was very young I still remember the Stevie Wonder, Billy Preston and Al Green shows. But most of all I remember the appearances of the Soul groups - Moments, Dells and Delfonics and how they would sing several songs during a show. Fantastic.
Thank you so very much. I thought these shows were forever lost.I will send this link to all of my
friends.Simply wonderful
Great find. Soul was a very classy and important show and I hope you somehow recover the lost episodes. There are many shows listed that I would like to view and some day own a copy of.
Thanks so much! These shows helped to shape my life as a young teen and I have been searching for epiosdes! This is wonderful.
All these years I have asked my friends did they remember Soul on channel 13. I am totally amazed today to find it and also that some of the shows are available to watch. “Unbelievable” is the word of the day for me!!! Thank You!
Thank you for posting this site. I remember watching this show while growing up in Brooklyn. I hope to see more episodes.
In 1969 my band “Soul Excitement” appeared on SOUL performing along with a singing group called the “Grand Prix Machine”. Gene Chandler was the guest artist on the program that night. The performance was so dynamic and arousing that Ellis Hazlip commented that no act ever got the audience to react as they did. The audience literally started dancing in the aisles. I did not see this program in listing. In fact that show was aired 3 or 4 times.
I would like to order a dvd copy of the Feb.16/1972 show with Al Green,Alice Childress,others and me(Camille Yarbrough). I spoke to someone at your office but, have not heard back.THANK YOU FOR MAKING THEM AVAILABLE.
I am wondering will this be put out on dvd. A family member was telling me about this program.
Brilliant stuff! Thank you for making this available to all Soul fans worldwide.
If only all of this would be available on DVD I’d be the first in line! But it is already great as it is!
All of the posted videos are simple mind blowing….But, come on now, post the two part James Baldwin & Nikki Giovanni….Better yet, post all of them!…This is the kind of stuff that makes the internet worthwhile….
Palante Siempre palante con Felipe Luciano, Tito Puente y Willie Colon!!!!!! The best of Boriqua SOUL!
It is great to see Black and Brown sisters and brothers come together. Wish we had these examples today. Thank you Thirteen!!!!!!
What a gem!!!! Hope to be able to see all the episodes.
Thanks so much
thank you thank you thank you! i didn’t know about this wonderful program, but i am so fortunate to see it now. i would gladly pay for a dvd box set (hint, hint).
Wow! That Nov 15, 1972 Part I episode with The Great Tito Puente and El Gran Willie Colon was awesome. Keep’em coming man oh man what a treasure.
Happy Boricua in Texas
A.Perez
Fantastic shows! If anybody would like to exchange rare and vintage dvd music concerts please email me at lcoltrane@gmail.com
I a great time with soul in my life. It has been a wealth of beauty and grace.The shows were always so good and they delivered a message for us to have faith during a time of changes happening gobal for the black race of people in america.I am able to say thank you pbs for SOUL tyrone henderson
Wonderful stuff, thank you so much you are doing something wonderful by making these amazing recordings available, God bless you all.
This is so wonderful what a blessing now I can show my kids now instead of talk about the show
Why haven’t the existing tapes been packaged for DVD release? This is a gold mine of cultural history!
CAN YOU POST THE DONNY HATHAWAY EPISODE
MAY 14TH, 1970. THERE IS SO LITTLE FOOTAGE SEEN ON “THE GENIOUS” THIS WOULD WOULD BE EXCITING!!
This is wonderful. I went to an Earth Wind & FIre concert last night in Phoenix, AZ. I told my wife the first time I saw or heard of EWF was on a TV show in the 70’s when I was in high school living in New York called SOUL. I did a Google search and was excited to find this and other performances I’d forgotten about or not seen such as the New Birth. This is wonderful stuff. What a great resource. Please publish on DVD!! Thanks and God Bless
I remember these shows and wondered what happened to them. Please post all of this GREAT music
Hi, it’s a plessure to talk to you…
I’m really interested in getting your video where appears Willie Colon and hector Lavoe.
“Soul! November 15, 1972 : Shades of Soul”
Please send me an answer in order to know how to get this DVD…Ok
You can write me to my Email “ozzysabbath13@hotmail.com”
My best regrets:
Paolo Suarez…
AhH! The 70’s. I remember them.
High School and SOUL!
I’m glad you are finally able to bring the old shows back.
I want it all on DVD.
But tell me.
Were there more than one version of some of the shows?
I remember Earth Wind & Fire doing an hour show, with more songs.
And a different studio setting.
I also remember New Birth doing all the songs of the album.
And another show which was an evening with Valerie Simpson
What happened to those tapes
PS.
I’m loving it
PLEASE WNET - you MUST make EVERY episode of the “SOUL” TV series available on DVD (1968 to 1973 please). You have a real opportunity to make an excellent profit and satisfy the overwheliming amount of requests that you’ve received to package the program on DVD. Those of us who had the privilege of watching “SOUL” when it was on the air have truly longed to see these shows again. We love(d) every episode. “SOUL” conveys what integrity and respect for the craft is all about. 15-years ago (1994), I told George Duke to release his album catalogue on CD. At first he balked and said there was no market for his music on CD. I told him that he was wrong, and those of us who bought his music over the years on LP, 8-Track, & Cassette would love to suppliment our analog collection of his music with digitally formatted recordings. Eventually, George took my suggestion to heart and negotiated with Epic. I’ll bet anything that he has no regrets about receiving ancillary income from product that costs very little to repackage. Why not take a page out of “The Midnight Special” & “Time Life’s” playbook WNET?. TMS & TL are making money hand over foot from their archives. In addition to making a nice profit, “SOUL” will serve as a great teaching tool for the sloppy dressing, saggy pants wearing, underwear showing, music sampling thieves of this current generation. With the exception of Ne-Yo, Alicia Keys and a few others, this current generation of so called “artists” could learn a few things from the Music Masters from the late 60’s & 70’s. I saw Ne-Yo perform in concert (by accident). I went to see Alicia Keys in 2008 and Ne-Yo was on the bill. That youngman’s performance gave me a glimmer of hope for this generation. Ne-Yo’s show had pinache. Great vocals, a real brass section, fantastic choreography, and several great wardrobe changes that matched the theme of their show. It is quite obvious to me that he studied some of the “old school” performers (praise God). To end my point WNET, WE NEED TO HAVE ACCESS TO PURCHASING THE “SOUL” TV SERIES ON DVD! PLEASE consider what your loyal viewers are requesting. Thank you WNET!
Sincerely,
MICHAEL JONES
NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA
I loved that program.It was the truth of the black@latin arts. A true comment of the creative blessings that came in a time in American history when that truth was hard to find on the air waves.The real deal that unhidden love that was,there for life to hold in it’s palms and embrace to its soul, yes the best part of my education for the arts was from Soul on pbs. I was made aware of the strength that was in my peoples heart and soul as we build upwardly in a place that would have had us succumb to it as the source of beauty.Soul showed the beauty interllect courage and grace we pocessed as the series went on and on. I thank the people who fought the system to bring this to me as a toll and as a entertainment of postive wealth.
I loved that program.It was the truth of the black@latin arts. A true comment of the creative blessings that came in a time in American history when that truth was hard to find on the air waves.The real deal that unhidden love that was,there for life to hold in it’s palms and embrace to its soul, yes the best part of my education for the arts was from Soul on pbs. I was made aware of the strength that was in my peoples heart and soul as we build upwardly in a place that would have had us succumb to it as the source of beauty.Soul showed the beauty interllect courage and grace we pocessed as the series went on and on. I thank the people who fought the system to bring this to me as a toll and as a entertainment of postive wealth. th
Yes we want to see everyone of these.. The 1972 ones are simply the greatest progs i’ve ever seen.
well done on a sterling effort to reproduce these fantastic artistic shows,i look forward to those to be posted in the future,are there plans to make these shows commercially available on dvd ?
Greetings of Peace!!It is truly a pleasure to see that someone has unearthed this treasure for all of the world to see! I hope that this is only the start, you have my support on anything that preserves the culture of Soul music and all that goes into it…
i would like to know , do you have the soul concerts availible to purchase , because i would like to purshase them , …………… please emailk ……….. thank you ……..
God bless all of you involved in this endeavor. I’m so glad I found this. To see my brother Gerry Bledsoe alive and young and vibrant again brought tears to my eyes. I miss him and still can’t get over the fact that he’s gone. To see Bobby Lester and Alexander “Pete” Graves of the Moonglows perform again was too much. My dear friends. I wish I could have seen Harvey Fuqua on camera. Harvey made me a “Moonglow” for a night about twelve years ago. I’d sure love to see the episode of “Soul” from 1973 with the Spinners and the Jimmy Castor Bunch. Bledsoe made me come to the studio for that one. I’m sitting in the audience. Again, thank you all for making me a very happy camper. Keep them coming.
Bobby Jay
Formerly of,
WWRL
WCBS-FM
SoulTown 53, Sirius/XM Satellite Radio
I would like to echo the sentiments that this was a truly ground-breaking show. The eclectic performances are a treasure. There is great interest in seeing this program made available for some sort of distribution to the masses.