I meet all the Mighty Clouds, personally on multiple occasions as a child in the 60s and 70s. The Mighty Clouds Of Joy | Discography | Discogs Younger fans loved it while older, more traditional fans did not. 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 5:00 PM 9:00 PM 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). Ligon died in December 2016 at the age of 80. Bob Marovich is a gospel music historian, author, and radio host. $3.98. Mighty Clouds of Joy | Artist | GRAMMY.com In the House of the Lord - Live In Houston. Their crossover success brought them added recognition, and they opened for the Rolling Stones, Paul Simon and Aretha Franklin. In 1960, the group released a single, titled Steal Away to Jesus.. The Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1959 in Los Angeles, CA as a traditional-based style group. Mighty Clouds of Joy, The Williams Brothers, The Rance Allen Group, and more 11 Songs Mama Used to Sing II Various Artists Updated 5 days ago Mix - Mighty Clouds of Joy Mighty. My Dad and my sisters sung gospil and this gave me a unique opportunity to meet many of icons gospil. "Mighty Clouds of Joy Biography." 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. Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1954 and started out in a tradition-based style. 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. A native of Troy, Alabama, Ligon was blessed with natural singing talent. View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro . The Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in LA in 1959. In 1990, they released the album Pray for Me. In 1992, The Mighty Clouds of Joy received another Grammy Award for best traditional soul gospel album (Pray for Me). Julius Cheeks, a Los Angeles singer known for his baritone voice and onstage antics. Mighty Clouds Of Joy hometown, lineup, biography | Last.fm Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States. Despite rumors of his demise, the charming rock legend is alive and well. We lost another legend. 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. Mighty Clouds of Joy Biography - Learn Religions However at a little [], Davy Jones dies and I say goodbye to my childhood. 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. The original members were Walter Ligon, Johnny Martin, Richard Wallace and Elmer Franklin. Hes some were around God Throne. Connect your Spotify account to your Last.fm account and scrobble everything you listen to, from any Spotify app on any device or platform. 2, This page was last edited on 13 February 2023, at 11:29. Franklin, Willie Joe Ligon, Richard Wallace and Johnny Martin were the four founding members of the Mighty Clouds of Joy. It also reached no. BREAKING NEWS: Mighty Clouds of Joy member dies Joe Ligon - Net Worth, Wife, Death, Mighty Clouds of Joy, Biography Eventually they added soul, R&B read more Similar Artists Play all Eddie Ruth Bradford 2,873 listeners Lee Williams And The Spiritual QC's 3,274 listeners Douglas Miller 3,849 listeners Material . Singer Joe Ligon, the dynamic frontman of the Grammy-winning gospel group Mighty Clouds of Joy, has died. At age 14, Ligon moved to LA to live with his uncle. 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. We love you! Founding ensemble member Johnny Martin died on February 12, 1987, in Los Angeles at the age of 46. Friday, July 25th Thanks for the update.. I knew he was the last original. 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. Ligon was born . 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. He was my vocal backbone in the group. 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. God bless his family! Mighty Clouds of one of my favorite groups Joe Jim and Joan Richard Johnny Martin known as choked Emirate Franklin The Mighty Clouds of my favorite groups Joe Jimmy Jones Johnny Martin Richard Wallace Emirate Franklin and Elmo Franklin they were the best as far as I am concerned after the Dixie Hummingbirds our group the silver stars of Raleigh song a lot of The Mighty Clouds of Joy song Especially make a step, Mr. Richard Wallace will be missed by many condolences go out to his family from the silver stars of Raleigh North Carolina. Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox, A daily briefing on what matters in the music industry. 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. Successful gospel group who fused the traditional quartet style with modern, R&B-influenced musical arrangements. You can read more on my personal blog,Notes From The Funny Farmand follow some fun stuff on my dog Bandits blog. I am so y to hear of Richards passing. So inspirational and touched by so many hearts. Therefore, at the time of his death, gospel singer Joe Ligon had an estimated net worth of $3 million. The single Mighty Clouds of Joy from that same album reached no. 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. Franklin, Willie Joe Ligon, Richard Wallace and Johnny Martin were the four founding members of the Mighty Clouds of Joy. Feel free to contribute! The group was influenced by The Temptations, an American vocal group that released four Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles. RIH, Sir! Bass guitarist Richard Wallace, the last original member, and Leader of the group, diedon Monday, July 27, 2020, in Tyler, Texas. Timeless Gospel Classics Vol. Odenton, MD 21113 The group's first break came when they caught the ear of a local gospel disc jockey, who agreed to produce several demo tapes. Mighty Clouds of Joy - Wikipedia 1990 Albums Down Memory Lane: Chapter 2 2014 All That I Am: Chapter 1 2011 At the Revival 2010 Movin' Zelenskyy on Anniversary of Russian War. Thank you for visitingGospel Soundcheckpage. BlackPast.org is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and our EIN is 26-1625373. Joe died on December 11, 2016, at age 80. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for MIGHTY CLOUDS OF HARMONY press photo 8" x 10" publicity GOSPEL at the best online prices at eBay! When I first heard his voice I thought theRev CL Franklin had joined a Quartet Group their voices were so close. Invited to join a vocal group formed by his cousins, he was persuaded by his mother to accept the invitation. Speed: 45 RPM. 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. Gods Grace and Mercy will carry you thru, To God be the glory. See also. As the years advanced, Ligon took a more supportive singing role, with lead vocals performed by ex-Gospel Keynotes vocalist Paul Beasley. It was followed by A Bright Side in 1965. Mr. Wallace was the creator of one of Gospel Quartet Musics iconic bass lines. I would like to offer my condolences to the family. While lineup changes plagued the Mighty Clouds throughout their career, they remained active into the new millennium; in addition to co-founders Ligon and Wallace, their latter-day incarnation also included Paul Beasley, Michael McCowin, Wilbert Williams, Johnny Valentine, and Ron Staples. The Next Edition, Mighty Clouds of Joy | Los Angeles CA - Facebook In lieu of flowers, donations are requested for the Michael Cook Trust Fund and can be made at any Bank of America Branch. 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. We were one of the first groups to do contemporary gospel, Ligon said during a 1993 interview. 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. 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. Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. He was 80. He was 46. 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. Michael Cook died in 2009 at the age of 46 after suffering a massive coronary. The Mighty Clouds of Joy went through many personnel changes in their decades-long career, with Ligon and Wallace ultimately the two remaining original members. 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. He was 80. Format: Record. Please enjoy the archives. Mighty Clouds Of Joy. Reviews of gospel DVDs, often in conjunction with the audio CD. Go directly to shout page. Other Works | Publicity Listings | Official Sites. Nicest conceit: how hard it is to be soft in a 'Stoned World. He loved everyone. They become the first gospel act to ever appear on Soul Train,which earned them criticism among traditional gospel music fans. I missed sharing [], Tonight was the final performance episode of this first season of The X Factor in the US, and what a way to end the competition. Your donation is fully tax-deductible. Scrobbling is when Last.fm tracks the music you listen to and automatically adds it to your music profile. Let it play in the background as you study and immerse yourself in this topic! His manager, Isaac Lindsey, said Monday that Ligon died on Sunday . Mighty Clouds of Joy's Michael Cook Passes Away 23 talking about this. Franklin, soon became a trademark of the Mighty Clouds of Joy's records. . I grew up with gospel music in my blood and on my mind.. 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. 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of the Mighty Clouds of Joy. Elmo Franklin died in 2008 at the age of 71. In 1977, the band released two albums, Live and Direct and The Truth Is the Power.. The Mighty Clouds of Joy went through many personnel changes in their decades-long career, with Ligon and Wallace ultimately the two remaining original members. In the years that followed, the Mighty Clouds joined the ranks of gospel's greatest showmen; one of the first groups to incorporate choreographed moves into their act, their nimble footwork and bright, color-coordinated outfits earned them the sobriquet "The Temptations of Gospel.". The Mighty Clouds of Joy (1955-2012) - BlackPast.org Home Joe Ligon Net Worth, Wife, Death, Mighty Clouds of Joy, Biography, Sparc Mac Net Worth, Girlfriend, YouTube, Biography, Gabrielle Bernstein Net Worth, Husband, Quotes, Books, Biography. For more informaiton, visit the Mighty Clouds of Joy website. Rest with the almighty my friend! Joe Ligon (born Willie Joe Ligon in Troy, Alabama on October 11, 1936) died on December 11, 2016, at age 80. Rest with God! They became one of the most influential gospel groups in the US. Such a loss to us all.. Their debut LP, Family Circle, arrived a year later. The long-lived group flourished into the 21th century, scoring numerous Grammy wins and nominations and hit albums along the way. Jones, Kim. So sorry to hear of Richards passing. The Mighty Clouds of Joy - Apple Music Living Waters Worship Center Mighty Clouds of Joy on Apple Music 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. 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.. '"[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. Javascript is required to view shouts on this page. Mighty Clouds of Joy is an American traditional gospel music quartet. Im not going to say goodbye but I will say see ya later! 2011. Lawrence Roberts and Gregory Gay informed TBGB that Elmo Franklin, an original member of the Mighty Clouds of Joy of Los Angeles, California, passed from labor to reward last week. Singles that are picks of the week are singled out for their quality. More By The Mighty Clouds of Joy Pray for Me. Ligon was born in Troy, Alabama, but moved to Los Angeles and started the gospel quartet in the 1950s. $11.99. The Mighty Clouds of Joy, Self: Soul Train. They can even be found on display in the Apollo Theater. The quartet later changed its name to the Stars of Bethlehem and cut an album for Ensign Records in 1960. Born and raised in rural Alabama, Joe Ligon was a musically gifted but shy young man who had grown up in the church and sang there for as long as anyone can remember. The Mighty Clouds of Joy started out in a traditional-based style. 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. Singing for God on the stage but not living for Him after I left the stage. It was their first crossover success. The Greatest Hits by The Mighty Clouds of Joy on Apple Music Im so sorry.my condolences to his famiky and friends. The original group members included: David Walker; Ligon; Leon Polk; Richard Wallace; Elmo Franklin; Artis Turnbough; Ermant Franklin Jr.; Johnny Martin. Biography. All That I Am: Chapter 1. The Mighty Clouds of Joy were an American traditional gospel music quartet. The mighty clouds has always been one if my favorite Quartets. This will go to the welfare of his children. Learn Religions, Feb. 8, 2021, learnreligions.com/mighty-clouds-of-joy-biography-710696. Although I was in the church I was not living saved, but then God saved me. All Rights Reserved. The Mighty Clouds of Joy - IMDb He was 46. The Mighty Clouds of Joy have been awarded numerous accolades including eightGrammy nominations and three awards. It appears to have started with a fake blog post reporting that Bon Jovi suffered cardiac arrest. 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). Artist descriptions on Last.fm are editable by everyone. In 1974, The Mighty Clouds of Joy became the first gospel group to appear on the television dance program, Soul Train. The Mighty Clouds of Joy went on to win GRAMMY Awards and become one of the top quartets of the 1960s and 1970s. The Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1955 in Los Angeles, California. MIGHTY CLOUDS OF HARMONY press photo 8" x 10" publicity GOSPEL The following year, 1958, they produced In Lord, You Woke Me Up This Morning on the Proverb label. 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.". The other original members of the group were Johnny Martin, Elmo Franklin, Leon Polk and David Walker (aka Bunker Hill). 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 My condolences to his family and many friends. https://www.learnreligions.com/mighty-clouds-of-joy-biography-710696 (accessed March 4, 2023). I lived, I call it a sinful life, Wallace said. 2023 Billboard Media, LLC. Gospel music authorities Rev. According to to a news release provided by gospel music industry publicist Bill. The Mighty Clouds of Joy formed in 1955 in Los Angeles and still includes two of its original members, Joe Ligon and Richard Wallace. 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. Mighty Clouds of Joy Biography. The line-up was drawn from three of the hottest gospel groups in LA at the time, as Richard recalls, "I used to have a singing group called the Stars Of Bethel. Do you find this information helpful? The Mighty Clouds of Joy have shared the stage with Paul Simon, Aretha Franklin, andThe Rolling Stones. Often immatated but never duplicatedl Richard Wallace was such a cool and soft spoken, and nice man that was very approacable. 1 on the Disco/Dance chart and remained charted for five weeks. Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1954 and started out in a tradition-based style. I was always a die hard quartet fan HE WILL BE SURELY BE MISSED. After 44 years and 35 albums, three Grammys and trophy-case full of almost every award imaginable; shows that have run a gamut from the church-house to the White House, and top-billings with a dazzling roster of superstar artists from nearly every genre of popular music (the Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Earth, Wind & Fire, Luther . His grandfather was a preacher, while his father sang in a gospel quartet. About THE MIGHTY CLOUDS OF JOY Founding Members: Joe Ligon and Richard Wallace Long-time Members: Mike Cook, Ron Staples and Johnny Valentine The original Mighty Clouds of Joy members were made up of members from three different Los Angeles Gospel groups. JGM extends its sympathies to the family, friends, and many fans of the late Richard Wallace. The original members of the band include Johnny Martin, Elmo and Ermant Franklin, Leon Polk and Richard Wallace. A new version of Last.fm is available, to keep everything running smoothly, please reload the site. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. 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. Mighty Clouds of Joy Bio - ChristianMusic.com 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. 3x Grammy Award-Winning gospel group ft. Ron Staples, Johnny Valentine, Dale Staples, Tim Woodson & Derrick Staples -. He was 65; Elmeo Franklin died on May 7, 2008, in Los Angeles at the age of 71; Willie Joe Ligon died on December 11, 2016, in Los Angeles. Their first recording was "Build Me a Cabin in Glory" on the Elko label in 1957. The Clouds were the first Gospel group to perform on Soul Train. Theyve won multiple Grammys, and opened for the likes of Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Earth, Wind & Fire, the Rolling Stones and Paul Simon, whom they backed for a month at New Yorks Madison Square Garden. 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. We dont have any upcoming events for this artist right now. By 1960, they had a major Gospel record deal with a hit single and album flying up the charts. Another great one is gone but now they are all together again up there singing and praising the Lord! Gospel singers dont retire, you know, they just die doing what they do, he said. Reid Temple AME Church 2014. We were one of the first groups to do contemporary gospel. He's Real To Me Mighty Clouds Of Joy | Last.fm Greetings, dear Beliefnet readers! A small donation would help us keep this available to all. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. He was born on October 11, 1936, in Troy, Alabama, USA, as Willie Joe Ligon. Best of the Mighty Clouds of Joy. It was there that he met Johnny Martin in school. There, he attended Jefferson High School. He will be deeply missed by all of us. Mighty Clouds of Joy | SoulTracks - Soul Music Biographies, News and 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). Founder of Journal of Gospel Music blog (formally The Black Gospel Blog) and producer of the Gospel Memories Radio Show. Joe Ligon, Singer Of Gospel Group Mighty Clouds Of Joy, Dies at 80 Eventually they added soul, R&B, and rock 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. The Mighty Clouds of Joy - Classic 3 - Amazon.com Music He was indeed an inspirational singer, guitar player and a gentleman. Scrobble, find and rediscover music with a Last.fm account. 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. Shortly thereafter, the quartet signed a long-term contract with Peacock Records, leaving one Mighty off their name. Elmant Franklin Jr. died on January 17, 1996, in Austin, Texas. Singer Joe Ligon, the dynamic frontman of the Grammy-winning gospel group Mighty Clouds of Joy, has died. 2002. 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." Shouting, troubles over. As a young man I didnt have that smooth voice like most young boys had My voice was always hard and rough, People would say I had a growl and sounded like I had rocks in my mouth when I sang.