Soul Train is my absolute favorite television show of all time. I have religiously collected ST footage since I copped my first Japanese VHS imports at a mom and pop record shop here in DC 12 years ago. I watch these tapes/DVD's day, noon and night, much to the chagrin of my roommates.

The first episode I have memory of (I'm 34) was #394, from season 11, which aired June 12, 1982. The musical guests were Deniece Williams and Junior. Some of my favorite moments from the series are listed below:


Episode #34/ Aired September 30, 1972
Eddie Kendricks doing an acapella version of "Can I" (song starts at 2:06)
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xg69on_eddie-kendricks-interview_music

Episode #39/ Aired November 4, 1972
The Sylvers "Wish That I Could Talk To You"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQg10VVQAdA

Episode #46/ Aired January 13, 1973
Stevie Wonder "Superstition"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjsVWSHw5fQ

Episode #49/ Aired February 10, 1973
James Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsVyPAVBzRQ

Episode #56/ Aired April 14, 1973
Aretha Franklin "Rock Steady"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOj9lPbp1I4

Episode #60/ Aired May 12, 1973
Don going down the ST line
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFBo5hHMUZM

Episode #69/ Aired September 1, 1973
Mandrill "Hang Loose" (one of thee greatest musical performances on the show)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnwKaI1im4Q

Episode #77/ Aired November 3, 1973
Michael debuting his robot during a performance of "Dancing Machine"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--w9u0S2Dho

Episode #89/ Aired February 16, 1974
Marvin "Distant Lover"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9BSjRCN0cQ

Episode #93/ Aired April 6, 1974
Al Green "Jesus Is Waiting"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CslaDEc2PS8

Episode #105/ Aired June 29, 1974
Sly & The Family Stone "Thank You" (I was pissed when this performance was edited when included in the Time-Life Soul Train DVD box set)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ptrc2cWRxU

Episode #108/ Aired September 14, 1974
James Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wztjtD4i02k

Episode #111/ Aired October 5, 1974
Michael Jackson "If I Don't Love You This Way" (when Motown scrapped plans for a 1974 solo album from Mike this cut was added to the J5 Dancing Machine LP)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xo4gMpPJu-E

Episode #119/ Aired December 14, 1974 (this is running neck and neck with James Brown's '73 appearance as the best episode of the series ever)
The Isley Brothers "Summer Breeze"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRL6Q1PTLJ0

Episode #120/ Aired December 21, 1974
Jose Felicino and Minnie Riperton were guests
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5QUWMDv940
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbMw2fIL_e0&feature=fvst

Episode #125/ Aired January 25, 1975
The Lockers (before Fred Berry and Toni Basil left)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpkkPXFfm68

Episode #135/ Aired April 5, 1975
Al Green "Love" (specifically the drum solo that starts at 4:50 in the clip below)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYooJOWH_60

Episode #141/ Aired May 17, 1975
Elton John "Bennie & The Jets"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vLlpJc9mW0

Episode #152/ Aired October 4, 1975
The Pointer Sisters "Sleeping Alone"
http://www.kewego.com/video/iLyROoaft_Xf.html

I'll post some more later. Feel free to share your ST memoires as well.

RIP Don Cornelius