First Soul Train Awards Take Place: Music History Today Podcast March 24
·15 min
This episode of the Music History Today podcast chronicles notable events in music history that occurred on March 24. The host presents a rapid-fire chronology of births, deaths, releases, and cultural milestones. The narrative centers on the inaugural Soul Train Music Awards as a landmark event.
On this date in 1987, the first Soul Train Music Awards were held in Los Angeles, created by Don Cornelius and hosted by Dionne Warwick and Luther Vandross. Whitney Houston performed "You Give Good Love," and an all-star group performed "That's What Friends Are For." Cameo won Album of the Year and Best Single for "Word Up." In 1958, Elvis Presley was sworn into the U.S. Army at a Memphis draft board. That same year, Johnny Mathis released the first-ever "greatest hits" album, which charted for over nine years. In 1973, a fan bit Lou Reed on the buttocks during a Buffalo concert. Pink Floyd's "The Dark Side of the Moon" was released in the UK on this date in 1973, after its U.S. release. In 2009, Prince launched the subscription website LotusFlow3r.com, selling access for $77. The Afrojazz icon Manu Dibango, known for "Soul Makossa," passed away in 2020; his song's hook was famously used by Michael Jackson.
A surprising claim is that Manu Dibango's "Soul Makossa" is considered the most sampled African song in history. The host notes that Johnny Mathis's greatest hits album held a chart longevity record for almost 25 years until "The Dark Side of the Moon" surpassed it. An interesting legal footnote reveals Manu Dibango and Michael Jackson settled out of court over the unauthorized sample. The episode mentions that the Soul Train Awards and BET Awards were both shut down in 2026 by Paramount, with a promised revival. A memorable oddity is the 1977 release of Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams," noted for its later revival on TikTok. The host clarifies that the 1971 "Friends" soundtrack is by Elton John, not the TV series.
The tone is educational and brisk, delivered as a straightforward factual recitation. The style is a dense, calendar-style listing of events without extended commentary or interview segments.
This episode is perfect for music trivia enthusiasts and listeners who enjoy daily history capsules. It might not satisfy those seeking deep dives, analysis, or narrative storytelling.
