Chicago memorial to be held for Don Cornelius

CHICAGO — A public memorial for Chicago native Don Cornelius is planned for next week at a downtown museum.

The tribute to the "Soul Train" founder is scheduled for Wednesday at the Museum of Broadcast Communications.

The event will be simulcast live on WVON-AM, where Cornelius got his start in broadcasting.

Cornelius died this week at his Los Angeles home of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was 75.

On Saturday, Chicago's WCIU-TV will broadcast a seven-hour "Soul Train" marathon.

The episodes will feature Gladys Knight & The Pips, Al Green, The Commodores, Kool and the Gang, Janet Jackson and En Vogue.

Cornelius' last show as host in 1993 will also be shown.

"Soul Train" started on WCIU in 1970. The street outside the current studio has been renamed "Don Cornelius Way."