Historic Soul Train party rolls through Chicago

Clinton Ghent had never received an award for his accomplishments in the music industry or for hosting Chicago’s version of the iconic Soul Train music show. But on January 30, Ghent was given a Chic a Go Go Heritage Award on CAN-TV, courtesy of producer Jake Austen, who found the music veteran after years of being out of the music limelight.

On January 30, dancers who hadn’t seen Ghent in decades strutted into the CAN-TV studio with fur hats and coats, suits, shined shoes, heels and top hats to honor Ghent, dance and reunite with other Chicago nightclub Budland dancers.

“There’s a place called Budland…where we danced,” said Ghent. “I don’t care how fine you were, how sharp you were, how stacked you were, if you can’t dance, you ain’t getting no action (in Budland). All these people who did Soul Train…these are the people that can dance.”

Even though the nightclub, located on 64th Street and Cottage Grove Avenue, is now torn down, the memories are still there.

Ghent left Soul Train and went on to choreograph with celebrities like the Temptations; the Jackson Five; Earth Wind and Fire and the Staples Singers before becoming a sports coach. While some dancers lost touch with Ghent after Soul Train, one regular stayed connected.

“She’s the baddest…not in the city, not in the state, but in the world…to me. Her name is Black Mary,” said Ghent about his “sisterly” friend. Mary “Black Mary” Hall met Ghent in Budland. “(Ghent) was one of the first dance partners that I danced with. I used to dance down there seven days a week. He got hooked up with Don Cornelius…from there, it was history because (Ghent) was always my dance partner.”

Ghent didn’t intend to initially stay on Soul Train. Don Cornelius, originator and impresario who hosted Soul Train for years, asked his childhood friend Ghent to get his best dancers for the pilot episode and Ghent invited his Budland friends to WCIU-TV’s studio.

Afterwards, Ghent disappeared for two weeks until Cornelius invited him back permanently as the host of the Chicago location.

The Soul Train reunion honoring Clinton Ghent and other Soul Train dancers will air on CAN-TV on February 24 and February 25. Check our Events Calendar for air times.

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Historic Soul Train party rolls through Chicago

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