The 2011 Soul Train Awards will air on both BET and Centric on November 27th at 9pm ET and the event has inspired a special edition of Way Back Wednesday. Today’s installment of our series features some of the most memorable performances in the history of the iconic ‘Soul Train’ show as it rolled through the years and inspired the fabric of popular culture.

Watch appearances by Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, The Jackson 5 and others as they delivered stunning renditions of their biggest hits below:

Aretha Franklin – ‘Rock Steady’

Ike & Tina Turner – ‘Nutbush City Limits’

The Jackson 5 – ‘I Want You Back’

LaBelle – ‘Lady Marmalade’

Mariah Carey – ‘Can’t Let Go’

Marvin Gaye – ‘Let’s Get It On’

Minnie Riperton – ‘Reasons’

Sugar Hill Gang – ‘Rappers Delight’

With 35 years on the air – 1971 to 2006 – and over 100 episodes, ‘Soul Train’ truly made an impact on not only on US culture but also the world. Helping to extend the reach of several acts as well as budding Hip-Hop movement of the early 1980s, it was truly an institution.

It’s a shame that there isn’t a variety show like ‘Soul Train’ on either television or the web today. Perhaps, if one of the major networks invested resources into such a venture then the younger generation would be introduced to the richness of real music instead of the garbage on Top 40 radio.

Thoughts?