Soul!

All Episodes 1968 - 1973

  • Ended
  • #<Network:0x00007f3200588fc0>
  • 1968-09-06T04:00:00Z
  • 1h
  • 2d 10h (58 episodes)
  • United States
  • Special Interest, Talk Show
Soul! or SOUL! (1968–1973) was a pioneering performance/variety television program in the late 1960s and early 1970s produced by New York City PBS affiliate, WNET. It showcased African American music, dance and literature. The program was created and often hosted by Ellis Haizlip, an openly gay African American closely associated with the Black Arts Movement. Poet Nikki Giovanni was also a frequent host. Among the musical performers who appeared on the show were Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind, and Fire, the Dells, Labelle, Ashford and Simpson, Al Green, Tito Puente, McCoy Tyner, Max Roach, and Gladys Knight, as well as African performers Hugh Masekela and Miriam Makeba. Others who appeared on the program included boxer Muhammad Ali, Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, minister (later politician) Jesse Jackson, actor / singer Harry Belafonte, actor Sidney Poitier, and Kathleen Cleaver, wife of Eldridge Cleaver.

58 episodes

Series Premiere

1968-09-06T04:00:00Z

1x01 Muhammad Ali

Series Premiere

1x01 Muhammad Ali

  • 1968-09-06T04:00:00Z1h

1968-09-06T04:00:00Z

1x02 Mandrill / Labelle

1x02 Mandrill / Labelle

  • 1968-09-06T04:00:00Z1h

1968-09-06T04:00:00Z

1x03 Frederick Douglas

1x03 Frederick Douglas

  • 1968-09-06T04:00:00Z1h

1968-09-06T04:00:00Z

1x04 James Baldwin Part 1

1x04 James Baldwin Part 1

  • 1968-09-06T04:00:00Z1h

1968-09-06T04:00:00Z

1x05 James Baldwin Part 2

1x05 James Baldwin Part 2

  • 1968-09-06T04:00:00Z1h

1x06 Bill Withers / Mae Jackson

  • 1968-09-06T04:00:00Z1h

1968-09-06T04:00:00Z

1x07 Miriam Makeba

1x07 Miriam Makeba

  • 1968-09-06T04:00:00Z1h

1968-09-06T04:00:00Z

1x08 Jerry Butler

1x08 Jerry Butler

  • 1968-09-06T04:00:00Z1h

1x10 Gladys Knight and the Pips

  • 1968-09-06T04:00:00Z1h

1968-09-06T04:00:00Z

1x11 Al Green

1x11 Al Green

  • 1968-09-06T04:00:00Z1h

1968-09-06T04:00:00Z

1x13 Chester Himes / The Dells

1x13 Chester Himes / The Dells

  • 1968-09-06T04:00:00Z1h

1968-09-06T04:00:00Z

1x15 Ruby Dee / Ossie Davis

1x15 Ruby Dee / Ossie Davis

  • 1968-09-06T04:00:00Z1h

1x16 Nick Ashford / Valerie Simpson

  • 1968-09-06T04:00:00Z1h

The songwriting/performing duo of Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson appear in a concert of rock and gospel music on Soul!

1968-09-06T04:00:00Z

1x17 Shades of Soul! - Part 1

1x17 Shades of Soul! - Part 1

  • 1968-09-06T04:00:00Z1h

Felipe Luciano hosts this showcase of Latin music on Soul! Features musicians Tito Puente and Willie Colon, accompanied by their musical groups.

1968-09-06T04:00:00Z

1x18 Shades of Soul! - Part 2

1x18 Shades of Soul! - Part 2

  • 1968-09-06T04:00:00Z1h

1968-09-06T04:00:00Z

1x19 Black Fire

1x19 Black Fire

  • 1968-09-06T04:00:00Z1h

1968-09-06T04:00:00Z

1x20 Elements

1x20 Elements

  • 1968-09-06T04:00:00Z1h

1968-09-06T04:00:00Z

1x21 In a New Way

1x21 In a New Way

  • 1968-09-06T04:00:00Z1h

Entertainment is provided by The Spinners and the Jimmy Castor Bunch.

1968-09-06T04:00:00Z

1x22 Wherever We May Be

1x22 Wherever We May Be

  • 1968-09-06T04:00:00Z1h

1x23 If you Don't Know Me By Now

  • 1968-09-06T04:00:00Z1h

Ahmed is challenged to a fight; Kenny feels the strain of Lila's absence at the office.

1968-09-06T04:00:00Z

1x24 To The People Thank You

1x24 To The People Thank You

  • 1968-09-06T04:00:00Z1h

The final show of the season. Soul! staff, Ellis Haizlip, Al Brown, Anna Horsford, Sherri Santifer, Loretta Greene and Leslie Demus read poetry and letters from viewers throughout the country.

1968-09-06T04:00:00Z

1x25 Episode 25

1x25 Episode 25

  • 1968-09-06T04:00:00Z1h

Guests: Billy Butler & the Infinity, Vivian Reed, Archie Bell & the Drells, and Muhammad Ali Host: Jerry Butler

4x25 Mandrill, LaBelle, Georgia Jackson

  • 1971-10-20T04:00:00Z1h

Mrs. Georgia Jackson, mother of slain Soledad Brother George Jackson, is interviewed by producer- Ellis Haizlip. Other show features include the exciting Latin-jazz sounds of seven man combo, Mandrill and the rhythm and blues of LaBelle (Formerly Patti LaBelle and the Bluebells)

This program traces the roots of Black protest in America by means of passages from Frederick Douglass' greatest orations, dramatized by Arthur Bufghardt, interspersed with performances by drummer Max Roach, his jazz ensemble and the 22 voices of the J. C. White Singers.

Setlist... 01. Bobby Hebb & Ron Carter - Soul 02. The Persuasions - Buffalo Soldier 03. The Persuasions - Medley: He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother/You Got A Friend 04. Bobby Hebb & Ron Carter - A Natural Man 05. M'Boom - Percussion Jam 06. Bobby Hebb & Ron Carter - Sunny 07. M'Boom - Percussion Jam 08. The Persuasions - Medley: Sincerely/I'll Never Let You Go/Move On Down The Line/Speedo/I Only Have Eyes For You/ Tears On My Pillow 09. M'Boom - Show Outro

1971-12-15T05:00:00Z

4x34 James Baldwin (Part 1)

4x34 James Baldwin (Part 1)

  • 1971-12-15T05:00:00Z1h

Author James Baldwin is interviewed by the young Black poetess Nikki Giovanni in a special two-part presentation of Soul!, taped in London.

1971-12-22T05:00:00Z

4x35 James Baldwin (Part 2)

4x35 James Baldwin (Part 2)

  • 1971-12-22T05:00:00Z1h

The second installment in a special, two-part program featuring James Baldwin.

Featured guest Bill Withers sings hit single, "Ain't No Sunshine" and other selections from his album, Just As I Am. In another segment, young poetess Mae Jackson reads from her own works. Setlist... 01.McCoy Tyner unknown song 02.Mae Jackson poem 03.Bill Withers "I'm Her Daddy" 04.Bill Withers "Ain't No Sunshine 05.Mae Jackson poem 06.Bill Withers Interview 07.McCoy Tyner unknown song 08.Mae Jackson poem 09.Bill Withers "Grandma's Hands" 10.Bill Withers "Grits Ain't Groceries" 11.Bill Withers "Harlem/Cold Bologna"

Season Premiere

1972-01-05T05:00:00Z

5x01 The Delfonics, Muhammad Ali, Miriam Makeba

Season Premiere

5x01 The Delfonics, Muhammad Ali, Miriam Makeba

  • 1972-01-05T05:00:00Z1h

Former heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali, South African born singer Miriam Makeba and a three-man vocal group called the Delfonics, share the spotlight with guest-host Nikki Giovanni, who opens the show with her "Kidnap Poem". 1.Intro By Host Nikki Giovanni 2.The Delfonics - Trying To Make A Fool Of Me 3.Miriam Makeba - Brand New Day 4.Miriam Makeba Interview 5.Miriam Makeba - African Song With Dance Interpritation 6.Miriam Makeba - Unknown African Song 7.Muhammad Ali Interview 8.The Delfonics - Didn't I Blow Your Mind 9.The Delfonics - I Gave To You 10.Nikki Giovanni Social Commentary & Show Closing

An all jazz line-up on this edition of Soul! features pianist Horace Silver at the electric keyboard, Lee Morgan on trumpet and 22-year old Bobbi Humphrey playing the flute. They are joined by vocalists Andy and Salome Bey.

One of the great Motown acts of the past several years headlines the show, performing the hit, "I Heard It through the Grapevine", and other selections. 1.Band Instrumental/Show Intro 2.Gladys Knight Interview 3.Poetry By Carolyn Rodgers & Norman Jordan 4.Gladys Knight & The Pips - Nitty Gritty 5.Gladys Knight & The Pips - Make Me The Woman You Come Home To 6.Gladys Knight & The Pips - Friendship Train 7.Gladys Knight & The Pips - If I Were Your Woman 8.Gladys Knight & The Pips - I Heard It Through The Grapevine 9.Poetry By Carolyn Rodgers & Norman Jordan 10.Gladys Knight & The Pips - Help Me Make It Through The Night 11.Gladys Knight Band Introductions 12.Gladys Knight & The Pips - I Don't Wanna Do Wrong

Highlights feature guest Al Green singing "Let's Stay Together" and author Verta Mae Grosvenor reading form her latest book, Thursdays and Every Other Sunday Off.

“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

Merry Clayton, top back-up singer who emerged a star, sings "Grandma's Hands", "Southern Man" and other numbers. The Reverend Jesse Jackson also talks with host Ellis Haizlip about his newly formed organization, People United to Save Humanity (PUSH).

Author Chester Himes is welcomed back from self-exile in Europe on this show devoted primarily to his writings. Actor Al Freeman Jr., who reads from Himes' autobiography, and The Dells, who sing several of their hits, join the welcome. Setlist... 01. Interview with author Chester Hymes 02. Interview with actor Al Freeman Jr 03. The Dells "Oh, What A Night" 04. The Dells "Always Together" 05. The Dells "Stay In My Corner" 06. The Dells "It's All Up To You" 07. The Dells "The Love We Had Stays On My Mind"

Sidney Poitier and Harry Belafonte discuss their new film, Buck and the Preacher, as well as other topics, interrupted by interludes of song by Novella Nelson, Broadway star, artistic and creative director of New York's Shakespeare Festival Public Theater.

Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis, aided by the music of composer-saxophonist Lucky Thompson, give dramatic readings of the poetry of a writer named Robert Cornell Kaufman.

Guests: Jazz musician Rahsaan Roland Kirk & the Vibration Society Host: Ellis Haizlip

1972-10-11T04:00:00Z

5x15 Ashford & Simpson

5x15 Ashford & Simpson

  • 1972-10-11T04:00:00Z1h

The songwriting/performing duo of Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson appear in a concert of rock and gospel music on Soul! 1.Ashford & Simpson - Keep It Coming 2.Ashford & Simpson - Ooh Child 3.Nick Ashford - I Wanna Be Where You Are 4.Nick Ashford - If 5.Nick Ashford - Remember Me 6.Valerie Simpson - Silly Wasn't I 7.Valerie Simpson - Drink The Wine 8.Valerie Simpson - Genius 1 & 2 9.Ashford & Simpson - Everybody Is A Star/Band Introductions 10.Ashford & Simpson - There Is A God 11.Ashford & Simpson - Steal Away 12.Ashford & Simpson - Reach Out And Touch Somebody's Hand

A one hour sit down interview with Nation Of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan.

Guests: New Birth, Nightlighters, and Moonglows. Host: Gerry Bledsoe

1972-11-15T05:00:00Z

5x20 Tito Puente, Willie Colon

5x20 Tito Puente, Willie Colon

  • 1972-11-15T05:00:00Z1h

Felipe Luciano hosts this showcase of Latin music on Soul! Features musicians Tito Puente and Willie Colon, accompanied by their musical groups. 1.Show Introduction By Felipe Luciano 2.Tito Puente & His Orchestra - Para Los Rumberos 3.Tito Puente Interview 4.Tito Puente & His Orchestra W/Frankie Figueroa - Tus Ojos (Bolero) 5.Tito Puente & His Orchestra W/Frankie Figueroa - Nina Y Senora 6.Movie Clip For "Our Latin Thing" 7.Felipe Luciano Discusses Latin Music 8.Willie Colon Interview 9.Willie Color & His Orchestra W/Hector Lavoe - Aguanile 10.Willie Color & His Orchestra W/Hector Lavoe - Sigue Feliz 11.Willie Color & His Orchestra W/Hector Lavoe - Demalano 12.Show Outro

5x21 Trio LaBelle, Mongo Santamaria

  • 1972-11-22T05:00:00Z1h

Female singing trio LaBelle and conga drum/bongo musician Mongo Santamaria, are guests of Ellis Haizlip.

5x22 Ron O’Neal, Zulema, Black Heart

  • 1972-11-29T05:00:00Z1h

Guest: Actor Ron O’Neal, and musicians Zulema and Black Heart Host: Ellis Haizlip

5x24 Taj Mahal, Exuma, Cicely Tyson

  • 1972-12-13T05:00:00Z1h

5x25 Stevie Wonder & Wonderlove

  • 1972-12-20T05:00:00Z1h

Setlist... 01. For Once In My Life 02. If You Really Love Me 03. Superwoman 04. You And I 05. Interview 06. What's Going On/My Cherie Amour 07. Blowing In The Wind 08. With A Chid's Heart 09. Love Having You Around 10. Signed Sealed Delivered/Papa Was A Rolling Stone 11. Superstition 12. Maybe Your Baby/Superstition Outro 13. Uptight Everything's Alright

Season Premiere

1973-01-03T05:00:00Z

6x01 An Evening With Al Green

Season Premiere

6x01 An Evening With Al Green

  • 1973-01-03T05:00:00Z1h

1.Show Intro/What A Wonderful Thing Love Is 2.Al Green Interview 3.I'm So Tired Of Being Alone 4.Look What You Done For Me 5.How Can You Mend A Broken Heart 6.I'm Still In Love With You 7.Judy 8.You Ought To Be With Me 9.Love & Happiness 10.We Only Just Begun 11.Let's Stay Together 12.Show Outro

Entertainment is provided by The Spinners and the Jimmy Castor Bunch. The Jimmy Castor Bunch 01.It's Just Begun 02.Hey Leroy, Your Mommas Callin' You 03.The First Time Ever I saw Your Face 04.Troglodyte 05.I'm Not A Child Anymore 06.Foxy Lady The Spinners 01.It's A Shame 02.That's What Girls Are Made For 03.I'll Be Around 04.How Could I Let You Get Away 05.Could It Be I'm Falling In Love

1973-02-07T05:00:00Z

6x04 Stokely Carmichael

6x04 Stokely Carmichael

  • 1973-02-07T05:00:00Z1h

Guests include popular singing group Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, singer Esther Marrow, and Ida Lewis, editor of Encore magazine. 1.Show Intro 2.Esther Marrow - Unknown Song 3.Interview With Encore Magazine Editor Ida Lewis 4.Esther Marrow - Things Ain't Right 5.Esther Marrow - When I Die 5.Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes - If You Don't Know Me By Now 6.Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes - Ebony Woman 7.Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes - Be For Real 8.Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes - Let Me Into Your World 9.Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes - I Miss You 10.Show Outro

1973-02-28T05:00:00Z

6x07 Billy Preston

6x07 Billy Preston

  • 1973-02-28T05:00:00Z1h

Guest: performer/composer/keyboard artist Billy Preston and his musical group.

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

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