Please enjoy the archives. Younger fans loved it while older, more traditional fans did not. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. Thank you for visitingGospel Soundcheckpage. They became one of the most influential gospel groups in the US. More importantly, they were the first group to add bass, drums, and keyboards to the standard quartet accompaniment of solo guitar, resulting in a sound that horrified traditionalists but appealed to younger listeners -- so much so, in fact, that the Mighty Clouds became the first gospel act ever to appear on television's Soul Train, where they performed their disco smash "Mighty High." In 1979, the group won a Grammy for Best Soul Gospel Performance, Traditional for theirLive And Directalbum followed by the song Changing Times in 1980 forBest Soul Gospel Performance, Traditional. In 1992, they were awarded a Grammy for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Albumfor Pray For Me.In 1998, the group had a disco hit, Mighty High, that peaked at no. Attendees will also be treated to a short documentary titled, A Living Legacy, by David Ramsey, Rev. Singer Joe Ligon, the dynamic frontman of the Grammy-winning gospel group Mighty Clouds of Joy, has died. Jason Ankeny, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-mighty-clouds-of-joy-mn0000893234/biography; The Last Soul Company, Malaco.com, https://www.malaco.com/artists/gospel/the-mighty-clouds-of-joy/;The Mighty Clouds of Joy, napster.com, https://us.napster.com/artist/the-mighty-clouds-of-joy. The Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1961 and started out in a tradition-based style. I meet all the Mighty Clouds, personally on multiple occasions as a child in the 60s and 70s. Although they increasingly veered toward a heavy, dance-inspiring sound, Ligon and the Mighty Clouds of Joy returned to their earliest roots with the album Live in Charleston, recorded during a concert at the Abundance Tabernacle A.M.E. Zion Church in Charleston, South Carolina, on June 7, 1996. . Based in Los Angeles, California, the original group members include Joe Ligon (d. 2016), Johnny Martin (d. 1987), Ermant Franklin Jr., Artis Turnbough (d. 1999), Elmo Franklin (d. 2008), Richard Wallace, Leon Polk and David Walker (who also recorded several tracks with Link Wray under the name Bunker Hill). JGM was saddened to learn from Debra Ligon and Libra Boyds post that singer and guitarist Richard Wallace of the Mighty Clouds of Joy passed away Monday, July 27, 2020. More By The Mighty Clouds of Joy Pray for Me. Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1954 and started out in a tradition-based style. Mr Bob as always your ability with the pen to speak to who and what are relative is amazing thank you for taking the time to honor and celebrate a life dedicated to gospel music when people think of Clouds they immediately think Joe Ligon, but Mr Richard Wallace booked, managed for many years, actually most of the years and made it possible for Mr Ligon to focus solely on singing they were brothers, they were friends, they were comrades, in gospel and in life, Richard Wallace is officially the last original who went on the road with the Clouds, making it the end of a long standing, era Now he joins the amazing cast of Clouds that proceeded him in Glory. The group has won three Grammy Awards, several Stellar Awards, Hall of Fame Inductions, Lifetime Achievement Awards, with more nominations and top selling hit albums along the way The groups signature songs included Walk Around Heaven, Nearer My God to Thee, and Ive Been in the Storm Too Long. Despite rumors of his demise, the charming rock legend is alive and well. When the Peacock Records label heard these tapes, the group was quickly signed to a recording contract. The other original members of the group were Johnny Martin, Elmo Franklin, Leon Polk and David Walker (aka Bunker Hill). They sang their original composition, Time from their album Its Time which peaked at no. Their first recording was "Build Me a Cabin in Glory" on the Elko label in 1957. Ligon had eight daughters, named: Ericka, La Tonya, Dawn, La Tisha, Patricia, Adrenia, Clarice, and Debra. The Mighty Clouds of Joy have shared the stage with Paul Simon, Aretha Franklin, andThe Rolling Stones. Thursday, July 24th Content on this site does not reflect an endorsement or recommendation of any artist or music by the Recording Academy and its Affiliates. The Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1955 in Los Angeles, California. He was a people person. Ligon died in December 2016 at the age of 80. His manager, Isaac Lindsey, said Monday that Ligon died on Sunday . Rest with the almighty my friend! Gospel music authorities Rev. Read Full Biography. The Mighty Clouds of Joy Joe Ligon Albertina Walker Ncandweni Christ Ambassodors Winston Mankunku Ngozi Jonas Gwangwa Mthunzi Namba Stimela The Jackson Southernaires Israel Mosehla Kim Jones is an ordained pastor and a co-founder of Road to Revelation, a Christian rock band. He was 80. He will be deeply missed by all of us. 47 on the R&B chart. Go directly to shout page. Mr. Wallace was the creator of one of Gospel Quartet Musics iconic bass lines. We dont have any upcoming events for this artist right now. As the years advanced, Ligon took a more supportive singing role, with lead vocals performed by ex-Gospel Keynotes vocalist Paul Beasley. Richard and the Clouds were truly a group of great guys who I counted as really good friends. Under Ligon's leadership, the Mighty Clouds of Joy changed the standard gospel lineup from a vocal quartet backed by a sole electric guitar to a full-fledged, R&B-influenced group complete with bass, drums, and keyboards. sending my condolences . The three finalists Josh Krajcik, Chris Rene, and Melanie Amaro pulled out all of the stops for their final performances. The singer once said: Gospel singers dont retire, you know, they just die doing what they do., My prayers go out to Joes family, friends, loved ones, and fans, said gospel singer BeBe Winans. . Based in Los Angeles, California, the original group members included Joe Ligon (d. 2016), Johnny Martin (d. 1987), Ermant Franklin Jr. (d. 1996), Artis Turnbough (d. 1999), Elmeo Franklin (d. 2008), Richard Wallace (d. 2020), Leon Polk (d. 1998) and David Walker (who also recorded several tracks with Link Wray under the name Bunker Hill). Steal Away to Jesus was their first recording in 1960, with their first album debuting in 1961 on Peacock Records. He was my vocal backbone in the group. Singing for God on the stage but not living for Him after I left the stage. Singer Joe Ligon, the dynamic frontman of the Grammy-winning gospel group Mighty Clouds of Joy, has died. He was born on October 11, 1936, in Troy, Alabama, USA, as Willie Joe Ligon. Who is going down in the grave with me and He s able are classic s from Richard Wallace, I barely listen to the lyrics lol. They were also the first group to add bass, drums and keyboards to their music (the "standard" for quartets/groups at the time was a solo guitar). 32 on the Billboard R&B chart and 102 on the Billboard US Hot 100 chart. Friday, July 25th He was 80. Best of the Mighty Clouds of Joy. Another first, the Mighty Clouds was the first gospel act ever to appear on television's Soul Train, where they performed their disco smash "Mighty High.". All user-contributed text on this page is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. Franklin, Willie Joe Ligon, Richard Wallace and Johnny Martin were the four founding members of the Mighty Clouds of Joy. They can even be found on display in the Apollo Theater. This blog is no longer being updated. This item: Classic 3. by The Mighty Clouds of Joy Audio CD. by Dixie Hummingbirds Audio CD. Singer Joe Ligon, the dynamic frontman of the Grammy-winning gospel group Mighty Clouds of Joy, has died. Franklin, Willie Joe Ligon, Richard Wallace and Johnny Martin were the four founding members of the Mighty Clouds of Joy. A WONDERFUL INDIVIDUAL THAT PERFORMED FOR SO MANY. The group was also inducted into the Gospel Hall of Fame. Over the years, however, he took that style to a new level. The Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in LA in 1959. The single Mighty Clouds of Joy from that same album reached no. Shouting, troubles over. Free shipping for many products! A native of Troy, Alabama, Ligon was blessed with natural singing talent. I was always a die hard quartet fan HE WILL BE SURELY BE MISSED. He was 46. In 2005, Wallace told Clint Yeatts of KLTV that he got saved while a member of the Clouds. Menu. Jones, Kim. Successful gospel group who fused the traditional quartet style with modern, R&B-influenced musical arrangements. Biography. JGM extends its sympathies to the family, friends, and many fans of the late Richard Wallace. 2002. The Mighty Clouds of Joy formed in 1955 in Los Angeles and still includes two of its original members, Joe Ligon and Richard Wallace. RIH, Sir! He is survived by his wife Valerie and three children, ages 8, 11 and 16. We were one of the first groups to do contemporary gospel. Eventually they added soul, R&B, and rock flourishes into their musical mix (one of their early hits was produced by Gamble and Huff) w read more View all tracks Albums Changing Times For once, the songsmany of them from producer Dave Crawford, whose spirit must have been movedinclude virtually no filler, not even (especially not even) the one that takes off from the group's name. He was indeed an inspirational singer, guitar player and a gentleman. IT WAS A PLEASURE FOR ME TO SING WITH RICHARD FOR TWO YEARS AS THE LEAD SINGER OF HIS MIGHTY CLOUDS OF JOY AND I BEGAN TO LOVE LOVE HIM HE SHOWED ME MANY THINGS ABOUT THE ROAD SHOW ME PLACES IN FLY ME PLACES I NEVER BEEN BEFORE SO I HONOR RICHARD WALLACE AS TAKING ME IN AS TO BE THE LEAD SINGER WHEN HE SEPARATED FOR THAT MOMENT FROM JOLLA HES THE BEST FRIEND THAT I KNOW AND HE WILL CALL MY WIFE DIDNT KNOW WHETHER TO GET IN CONTACT WITH ME BECAUSE ITS HARD TO CATCH ME BUT TO THE WILD FAMILY FROM ME AND MY WIFE EBONY STAPLES WE PRAY FOR STRENGTH AND RICHARD YOU ALL WILL BE MISSED. The quartet formed in the mid-1950s as a hard-shouting quartet in keeping with the style of the times, and through the intercession of RnB artist turned gospel DJ Brother Henderson, came to the attention of Peacock Records. Trivia (1) Members have included Joe Ligon, Richard Wallace, Johnny Valentine, Ron Staples, Tim Woodson, Johnny Martin, June Richmond. The Death of Dottie Rambo, Southern Gospel Legend, American Idol Finalists Who are Christian, The World's Best Christian Hard Rock Bands, The 27 Biggest Female Artists in Christian Music, Top 16 Christian Contemporary Pop Bands and Artists. It also reached no. Their debut LP, Family Circle, arrived a year later. 2, This page was last edited on 13 February 2023, at 11:29. The Mighty Clouds of Joy were formed in Los Angeles during the '50s by schoolmates Joe Ligon and Johnny Martin; while still in their teens, the original group -- which also included Leon Polk, Richard Wallace, and brothers Ermant and Elmo Franklin -- made their recorded debut in 1960 with "Steal Away to Jesus," cut for the Peacock label. Cook has been a member of the group for more than 20 years. Your donation is fully tax-deductible. There, he attended Jefferson High School. Sometime that same year, Wallace, along with members of the Sensational Wonders quartet Ermant Franklin, Elmo Franklin, Leon Polk, David Walker, and former Clouds member-turned-Sensational-Wonder Willie Joe Ligon, joined Johnny Martin in a reconstituted version of the Mighty Mighty Clouds of Joy. Read Full Biography, Contemporary gospel's preeminent group, the Mighty Clouds of Joy carried the torch for the traditional quartet vocal style throughout an era dominated by solo acts and choirs; pioneering a distinctively funky sound that over time gained grudging acceptance even among purists, they pushed spiritual music in new and unexpected directions, even scoring a major disco hit. In 1974, The Mighty Clouds of Joy became the first gospel group to appear on the television dance program, Soul Train. It wasn't until 1961 as the group became famous, they added bass, drums, and keyboards to the standard guitar backup and developed a funky sound that split the difference between gospel, and rhythm and blues. The group's first break came when they caught the ear of a local gospel disc jockey, who agreed to produce several demo tapes. The Mighty Clouds of Joy, Self: Soul Train. Movies. In 1977, the band released two albums, Live and Direct and The Truth Is the Power.. Mighty Clouds of Joy Biography. His legacy will live forever, I HAD THE HONOR OF SPENDING AN HOUR AND A HALF,HE WAS A VERY SMART MAN AND KNEW THE BUSINESS, Mr Joe Ligon inspired me to sing Quartet . Joe Ligon (born Willie Joe Ligon in Troy, Alabama on October 11, 1936) died on December 11, 2016, at age 80. The quartet later changed its name to the Stars of Bethlehem and cut an album for Ensign Records in 1960. 2005. Their moves earned them "The Temptations of Gospel" moniker. In a break with tradition, the groups sound incorporated Soul, R&B, and Rock; all of which flourishes into their musical mix (one of their early hits was produced by Gamble and Huff) without diluting the essential religious essence of their material. He loved everyone. Before his passing My group was privileged to have recorded a song with him that I will hold dear to my heart till that day I see him again in Glory. In the House of the Lord - Live In Houston. The group was influenced by The Temptations, an American vocal group that released four Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles. Jones, Kim. Forego a bottle of soda and donate its cost to us for the information you just learned, and feel good about helping to make it available to everyone. His manager, Isaac Lindsey, said Monday that Ligon died on Sunday in Georgia. They were influenced by R&B groups such as The Temptations, as well as the Rev. Posted on Last updated: November 10, 2021, Joe Ligon was an American gospel singer best known asthe dynamic frontman of the Grammy-winning gospel group Mighty Clouds of Joy.. They won back-to-back Grammy Awards in 1978 and 1979 for best soul gospel performance, traditional, and again in 1991 for best traditional soul gospel album. The Mighty Clouds of Joy. The founder and lead vocalist of the Mighty Clouds of Joy who helped bring gospel music up to modern standards. A new version of Last.fm is available, to keep everything running smoothly, please reload the site. In 1979, The Mighty Clouds of Joy received a Grammy Award for the album Live and Direct. In the same year, they released the album Changing Times, which also earned them a Grammy Award. But when I heard Mr lLigon he also had that growl , which made me feel so much better about singing and Ive been trying to sing every since. December 20, 2020 at 12:16 a.m. We lost another legend. The group was influenced by The Temptations, an American vocal group that released four Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles. The two started singing together and founded the group, pulling from other popular gospel groups in the area to round out the line-up. Mighty Clouds Of Joy. The original group members included: David Walker; Ligon; Leon Polk; Richard Wallace; Elmo Franklin; Artis Turnbough; Ermant Franklin Jr.; Johnny Martin. The mighty clouds has always been one if my favorite Quartets. BlackPast.org is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and our EIN is 26-1625373. The founding members were Willie Joe Ligon (October 11, 1936), Johnny Martin (February 2, 1941), Bass Guitarist Richard Wallace (June 9, 1940), and brother guitarists Ermant Franklin, Jr. (March 20, 1931) and Elmo Franklin (October 8, 1936). The Greatest Singer Ever, Joe Ligon Net Worth, Wife, Death, Mighty Clouds of Joy, Biography, Lee Marvin Net Worth | Wife, Children, Cause of Death. Other Works | Publicity Listings | Official Sites. The . Members have included Joe Ligon, Richard Wallace, Johnny Valentine, Ron Staples, . Format: Record. 11400 Glenn Dale Boulevard Release Calendar Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Browse Movies by Genre Top Box Office Showtimes & Tickets Movie News India Movie Spotlight. Joe died on December 11, 2016, at age 80. Their song "Time" reached the top of the R&B charts in 1974, while their tune "Ride the Mighty High" became a major disco hit. At his uncle's insistence, he agreed to enroll in the local high school. https://www.learnreligions.com/mighty-clouds-of-joy-biography-710696 (accessed March 4, 2023). The following year, 1958, they produced In Lord, You Woke Me Up This Morning on the Proverb label. All Rights Reserved. 22 on the Billboard Soul Music chart and peaked at no. Jones, Kim. When I first heard his voice I thought theRev CL Franklin had joined a Quartet Group their voices were so close. Often immatated but never duplicatedl Scrobble, find and rediscover music with a Last.fm account. I grew up listening to the Mighty Clouds of Joy, I even had my own little group at 13 signing their songs. 1 on the Disco/Dance chart and remained charted for five weeks. Although I was in the church I was not living saved, but then God saved me. The Best of The Dixie Hummingbirds. Members: Clay Hammond, David Walker (35), Elmeo Franklin, Ermant Franklin, Joe Ligon, Johnny Martin (4), Leon Polk, Paul Beasley, Richard Wallace (2), Ted Taylor Variations: Viewing All | The Mighty Clouds Of Joy Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Formed 1955 in a Los Angeles high school by Willie Joe Ligon, born Sept. 11, 1942 in Troy, AL; original members were Ligon, lead, Johnney Martin, lead, Elmo Franklin, baritone, and Richard Wallace, bass; Ligon and Wallace continued with the group for the next forty years; added Paul Beasley lead singer of the Gospel Keytones 1980; current members Responsibility for the accuracy of information provided in stories not written by or specifically prepared for the Academy and its Affiliates lies with the story's original source or writer. Founder of Journal of Gospel Music blog (formally The Black Gospel Blog) and producer of the Gospel Memories Radio Show. View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro . The Mighty Clouds of Joy started out in a traditional-based style. Some user-contributed text on this page is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. Elmant Franklin Jr. died on January 17, 1996, in Austin, Texas. 12/13/2016. 69 on Billboard Hot 100. A Michael Cook Tribute will be held: Thanks for the update.. 3x Grammy Award-Winning gospel group ft. Ron Staples, Johnny Valentine, Dale Staples, Tim Woodson & Derrick Staples -. In 1964, The Mighty Clouds of Joy released their debut album, called Family Circle via Peacock Records. Mighty Clouds of Joy is an American traditional gospel music quartet. 2023 Billboard Media, LLC. As the years advanced, Ligon took a more supportive singing role, with lead vocals performed by ex-Gospel Keynotes vocalist Beasley. Their crossover success continued with opening slots for secular pop stars including Marvin Gaye, the Rolling Stones, and Paul Simon, whom the group backed during a monthlong stint at Madison Square Garden. Their crossover success brought them added recognition, and they opened for the Rolling Stones, Paul Simon and Aretha Franklin. The long-lived group flourished throughout the rest of the 20th century, scoring numerous Grammy Awards and nominations, as well as several hit albums along the way. Such a loss to us all.. Thanks for the story. Ligon told the AP that at the age of 56 he could hit every note that he could at the age of 18. Also performed as: The Mighty Mighty Clouds of Joy, Joe Ligon & the Mighty Clouds of Joy. First, each performed a duet with a star, [], Rock fans and women around the world are breathing a collective sigh of relief: Jon Bon Jovi is not dead. Michael Cook died in 2009 at the age of 46 after suffering a massive coronary. Therefore, at the time of his death, gospel singer Joe Ligon had an estimated net worth of $3 million. Invited to join a vocal group formed by his cousins, he was persuaded by his mother to accept the invitation. Do you find this information helpful? Timeless Gospel Classics Vol. A small donation would help us keep this available to all. Joe Ligon died in December 2016 at the age of 80. Among Mighty Clouds of Joys most popular songs: Time, which crossed over to the R&B charts in 1974, and Mighty High, a 1975 disco hit. So sorry to hear of Richards passing. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google, Visit Billboard Pro for music business news, Kodak Black Ordered Into Rehab By Florida Judge, Kodak Black Arrest Warrant Issued in Florida Over Failed Drug Test, Brad Paisley Drops Song Featuring Ukrainian Pres. We love you! Cook has been a member of the group for more than 20 years. Gospel singers dont retire, you know, they just die doing what they do, he said. Although shyness prevented him from singing in public, he sang constantly. Forming a vocal quartet, the four teenagers were taken under the wing of a neighbor who tutored them in the art of four-part harmonizing. $11.99. Ligon earned most of his wealth from being part of The Mighty Clouds of Joy. The band released 31 albums, including Down Memory Lane, In the House of the Lord: Live in Houston, Pray for Me, Sing and Shout, The Truth Is the Power, Mighty Clouds of Joy Live, Live at Music Hall, and Family Circle. The original members were Walter Ligon, Johnny Martin, Richard Wallace and Elmer Franklin. Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox, A daily briefing on what matters in the music industry. The Mighty Clouds of Joy were an American traditional gospel music quartet. We were one of the first groups to do contemporary gospel, Ligon said during a 1993 interview. Reid Temple AME Church Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States. 2011. Here is another blog you may also enjoy: Idol Chatter Happy Reading! A new version of Last.fm is available, to keep everything running smoothly, please reload the site. The X Factor final performances - care to predict a winner. '"[2], Last edited on 13 February 2023, at 11:29, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies, Willie Joe Ligon of Beaumont, Texas | 1936 - 2016 | Obituary, An interview with Joe Ligon at Soul Express in July 2013, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mighty_Clouds_of_Joy&oldid=1139105309, 1960: "Steal Away to Jesus" (Peacock Records), 1975: "Amazing Grace"; R&B#4 UK#15 US Hot Dance Club Play No. 5:00 PM 9:00 PM The long-lived group flourished into the 21th century, scoring numerous Grammy wins and nominations and hit albums along the way. Billboard is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Ligons death also was confirmed by his former booking agent Ricky DeRae. And we got stoned for it, Ligon told The Associated Press in a 1993 interview. (2021, February 8). Rest with God! The founder and lead vocalist of the Mighty Clouds of Joy, Joe Ligon (born Willie Joe Ligon) helped bring gospel music up to modern standards. Nicest conceit: how hard it is to be soft in a 'Stoned World. Feel free to contribute! You can read more on my personal blog,Notes From The Funny Farmand follow some fun stuff on my dog Bandits blog. $16.99. Scrobbling is when Last.fm tracks the music you listen to and automatically adds it to your music profile. Shortly thereafter, the quartet signed a long-term contract with Peacock Records, leaving one Mighty off their name. The funeral service will be: It was their first crossover success. He will be surely missed. Nominated for numerous Grammy Awards, the group received Grammys for several albums, including Live & Direct in 1978, Changing Times in 1979, and Power in 1993. I am so shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Richard Wallace. The Mighty Clouds' career stretches back to the early 60s, when the original members were Junior High School kids in LA, and still in their teenage years. His grandfather was a preacher, while his father sang in a gospel quartet. Mighty Clouds of Joy became the first gospel act to ever appear on "Soul Train," which earned them criticism among traditional gospel music fans. [1], While reviewing the group's 1974 crossover LP It's Time, Robert Christgau wrote in Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies (1981), "You'd figure the showiest of all gospel groups would sell out with some flair, but the vocal transfigurationsthat old Wilson Pickett (and Julius Cheeks) unhh born againaren't the only reason this is one of the best LPs ever to come out of Philadelphia. This was when they came to South Carolina. Zelenskyy on Anniversary of Russian War. Glenn Dale, MD 20769 Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1954 and started out in a tradition-based style. During a subsequent interview, Ligon explained "We wanted to go back to our roots in the '60s, singing songs we were known for before the contemporary music came in.". Thank you, Debra they are singing in glory, indeed!
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