Philadelphians hop on board, set Soul Train dance line record

As Soul Train host and creator Don Cornelius was laid to rest in Los Angeles on Monday, Philadelphians honored his memory (and Whitney Houston’s) by trying to break the world record for the biggest Soul Train dance line. It started as a wild idea on Facebook that got a huge response, came together in the matter of a week, and drew hundreds of Philadelphians.

People showed up at the Art Museum’s stairs on Monday afternoon decked out and ready to dance. Mayor Nutter was first down the line (followed by Congressman Bob Brady no less), but the day was ruled by all of the regular folks- moms and sons, workmen, grannys and daughters – who turned out to get down.

Yes, the gathering was ostensibly about breaking a world record, previously set at 211 – but it was also an excuse to come together in the name of brotherly love and sisterly affection, to turn an ordinary Monday into something positive. Organizers report via Facebook that 327 people went down the line 2-by-2. That looks like a record, Philly. We should dance together more often.