SOUL!

SOUL!

SOUL! is a pioneering performance/variety television program produced by New York City PBS affiliate, WNET, broadcast from 1968 to 1973. Showcasing African-American music, dance and literature, it was created and hosted by Ellis Haizlip, an openly gay Black man closely associated with the Black Arts Movement.

Talk

Seasons

1. September 12, 1968 (Premiere episode)

Air Date: 1968-09-12

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

2. September 26, 1968 (second episode)

Air Date: 1968-09-26

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

1. January 2, 1969

Air Date: 1969-01-12

Guests: Ben E. King, The Mamseilles*, Brad Lundy*, Rita Lamont* Host: Ellis Haizlip

Nikki Giovanni and James Baldwin in conversation on 'SOUL!' (Part 1)

34. Nikki Giovanni and James Baldwin in conversation on 'SOUL!' (Part 1)

Air Date: 1971-12-15

Then 47-year-old novelist James Baldwin is interviewed by 28-year-old poet Nikki Giovanni in a two-part presentation of WNET’s “SOUL!" Taped in London in 1971, the wide-ranging conversation explores Black life in America, the struggle for racial justice and evolving gender roles, while also offering insight into the work and artistic process of two literary icons.

Nikki Giovanni and James Baldwin in conversation on 'SOUL!' (Part 2)

35. Nikki Giovanni and James Baldwin in conversation on 'SOUL!' (Part 2)

Air Date: 1971-12-15

Then 47-year-old novelist James Baldwin is interviewed by 28-year-old poet Nikki Giovanni in a two-part presentation of WNET’s “SOUL!" Taped in London in 1971, the wide-ranging conversation explores Black life in America, the struggle for racial justice and evolving gender roles, while also offering insight into the work and artistic process of two literary icons.

36. December 29, 1971

Air Date: 1971-12-29

Guests: Singer Bill Withers, poet Mae Jackson, and the McCoy Tyner Quartet Host: Ellis Haizlip

1. January 5, 1972

Air Date: 1972-01-05

Guests: Muhammad Ali, singer Miriam Makeba, and vocal group the Delfonics Host: Nikki Giovanni

2. January 12, 1972

Air Date: 1972-01-12

Guests: Jerry Butler, Peaches, Anna Horsford, and dentist Dr. Stanley Nelson

3. January 19, 1972

Air Date: 1972-01-19

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

4. January 26, 1972: "The Blue Note Show"

Air Date: 1972-01-26

Guests: Keyboardist Horace Silver with vocalists Andy and Salome Bey, trumpeter Lee Morgan, flutist Bobbi Humphrey Host: Ellis Haizlip

5. February 2, 1972

Air Date: 1972-02-02

Guests: Actor/singer Ronnie Dyson, singer Cissy Houston and poets China Clark and Quincy Troupe

6. February 9, 1972

Air Date: 1972-02-09

Guests: Gladys Knight and the Pips, and poets Carolyn Rodgers and Norman Jordan

7. February 16, 1972

Air Date: 1972-11-16

Guests: Singer Al Green, author Vertamae Grosvenor, the Isaac Douglas Singers, writer Alice Childress, and poet Camille Yarbrough

14. October 4, 1972

Air Date: 1972-10-04

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

25. December 20, 1972: "Wonderlove"

Air Date: 1972-12-20

Guests: Stevie Wonder and Wonderlove 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

1. January 3, 1973

Air Date: 1973-01-03

Guest: an evening with singer Al Green Host: Ellis Haizlip

2. January 10, 1973

Air Date: 1973-01-10

Guests: Tony Award-winning singer Linda Hopkins & the Soul Quintet, and musical group Earth, Wind & Fire Hosts: Gerry Bledsoe and Ellis Haizlip

3. January 17, 1973

Air Date: 1973-01-17

Guests: The Spinners and the Jimmy Castor Bunch

4. February 7, 1973

Air Date: 1973-02-07

Guest: Stokely Carmichael

5. February 14, 1973

Air Date: 1973-02-14

Guest: singer Esther Phillips, and a performance of “The Johnson Girls,” which centers around six young Southern ladies.

6. February 21, 1973

Air Date: 1973-02-21

Guests: vocal group Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, singer Esther Marrow, and Encore magazine editor Ida Lewis

7. February 28, 1973

Air Date: 1973-02-28

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

8. March 7, 1973 (the last episode)

Air Date: 1973-03-07

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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Rating

0.0/10

Release Date

1968-09-12

Episodes

23 (6 seasons)

Status

Ended

Cast

Ellis Haizlip

Ellis Haizlip

Self – Host

Production Companies

Thirteen

Thirteen