DC radio icon Donnie Simpson is bringing back the legendary TV hit show 'Video Soul'
WASHINGTON (7News) — Local radio icon Donnie Simpson has been known to those of us in D.C. for decades, but he became a household name across the country with his hit show "Video Soul" in the '80s and 90s on BET.
7News Anchor Alison Starling spoke to Simpson about this classic comeback and bringing Video Soul to a new audience.
If just hearing the old intro to Video Soul takes you back to the '80s and 90s.. then you probably remember Donnie Simpson's conversations with Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder, or his duet with the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin.
"Whitney Houston, ah, what a special woman," Simpson said. "Aretha... Oh my to this day it's hard for me to listen to Aretha and not cry, I just love that woman so much."
Video Soul defined a generation when it came to music...But it ended 25 years ago.
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"I think the main thing people would say about Video Soul is to bring it back! You know, they just loved it!" Simpson said.
And so he's doing just that. "This time it's "Donnie Simpson's" Video Soul, so we got really creative!" he said.
That's right, Simpson owns it outright this time. and you can find it on the streaming service "Tubi." A lot has changed and the seemingly ageless Simpson is now 67-years-old and he has six grandkids.
"My favorite thing to do is have them come over here and play in the pool and the sounds of laughter, children playing has always been my favorite sound," Simpson said.
ALSO READ: D.C.’s Donnie Simpson remembers Aretha Franklin
And last year Simpson's decades of trailblazing work was recognized with a huge honor.
"That day I got the call you've been inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame, it was just mind-blowing," he said.
For all that has changed, much will be the same with the new Video Soul.
"The thing that is the same is that we're doing interviews, sit down, get to know people, sit on that couch, and we get to introduce them to you, that's fun and exciting," Simpson said.
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Bringing legendary musical guests, and newcomers into the age of streaming shows Simpson said "I wasn't intimidated at all by the all the changes that have taken place in the last 25 years, I was encouraged by it."
But in many ways, Simpson said it will feel like no time has passed at all.
"There is no doubt that when you watch it you will feel like we both come back home, we're meeting back up at momma's house, laughs!" he said.
Simpson's Video Soul is available on streaming service "Tubi," and he has already dropped six episodes if you want to check them out.
