Gladys Knight -- a.k.a. The Empress of Soul -- was rightly honored at this year's '2011 Soul Train Awards' (Sun., 9PM ET on BET). To a standing ovation from the audience, singer Natalie Cole presented her with the Legend Award.

Veteran recording artists Elton John, Smokey Robinson and Patti LaBelle paid tribute on video, with John saying that in 40 years of listening to Gladys performing live he's never heard her hit a bum note. Then more performers took to the stage for a truly epic medley of her greatest hits.

Accepting her award Gladys said "I have received awards over the years and I am grateful for every single one of them. But let me tell you something,. This one right here is the closest to my heart because it comes from my people. ... You're telling the world that I passed this way and I did something that was alright."

'Soul Train: The Hippest Trip in America' (9PM, VH1)
This installment of VH1's 'Rock Doc' series celebrates the 40th anniversary of 'Soul Train,' the 1970-2006 music series that became the longest-running syndicated show in TV history. 'Soul Train' creator and original host Don Cornelius chats about the show's influence, as it was one of the only shows to consistently spotlight black musicians, and dance and fashion trends. Gladys Knight, Al Green, Tina Turner, B.B. King, Stevie Wonder, The Jackson 5, James Brown, Michael Jackson, Chuck Berry, Aretha Franklin, Earth, Wind & Fire, Rick James, Luther Vandross, Janet Jackson, The Commodores, Whitney Houston, New Edition, Bobby Brown, Brian McKnight, Maxwell and Aaron Neville were among the hundreds of stars who showcased their hits with 'Soul Train' performances, while elements of the show -- like the 'Soul Train' scramble board and Cornelius' signature sign-off, "We wish you love, peace and soul" -- became part of popular culture.

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The old R&B dance show Soul Train seems to be coming back. It's being set up for a VH1 documentary, a BET awards show and a DVD release.

Given the recent passing of Michael Jackson, it wouldn't surprise me if this project was fast-tracked. Some of the Jackson 5's earliest appearances were on Soul Train. In fact, there's a website now dedicated to the show.

I never watched Soul Train when I was kid. I don't think I was in the correct demographic. But everyone at least heard of Soul Train. The show's final episodes aired in 2006 but (at least in my mind) the show is more associated with its beginnings in the 70's. If the show ends up getting fully revived (and not just an awards show), the logical network to show it would be BET.

Now that Time Life is releasing DVD's of the show, it will probably be in a "best of" format (much like their release of The Muppet Show DVDs) and not complete seasons. But, I could be wrong.

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