The . Shouting, troubles over. Michael Cook, a member of the award-winning Mighty Clouds of Joy, died Friday of a heart attack. Go directly to shout page. by Dixie Hummingbirds Audio CD. He was born on October 11, 1936, in Troy, Alabama, USA, as Willie Joe Ligon. Franklin, Willie Joe Ligon, Richard Wallace and Johnny Martin were the four founding members of the Mighty Clouds of Joy. Johnny Martin - the founding member died in 1987 at the age of 46. McArthur Pettiford, and Stacey Pettiford; all of whom are renowned . Im not going to say goodbye but I will say see ya later! Mighty Clouds of Joy became the first gospel act to ever appear on "Soul Train," which earned them criticism among traditional gospel music fans. Successful gospel group who fused the traditional quartet style with modern, R&B-influenced musical arrangements. In 1974, The Mighty Clouds of Joy became the first gospel group to appear on the television dance program, Soul Train. They were organized in 1955 in Los Angeles, California by group founders Joe Ligon and Richard Wallace, along with High School friends Johnny Martin, Elmo Franklin, Leon Polk and David Walker (who also recorded several tracks with Link Wray under the name "Bunker Hill"). 'Gospel In Person' series to feature Just Us Guys - March 4 Unlike other gospel groups, its members dressed stylishly they used the same tailor as the Temptations and worked slick choreography into their act. 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. Aliases The Mighty Clouds of Joy Country United States Comments Gospel vocal group formed in 1955 in Los Angeles by Joe Ligon and Richard Wallace. Fly high above the clouds another ?.gone so soon. Franklin, soon became a trademark of the Mighty Clouds of Joy's records. Successful gospel group who fused the traditional quartet style with modern, R&B-influenced musical arrangements. We love you! Best of the Mighty Clouds of Joy. They became one of the most influential gospel groups in the US. 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 long-lived group flourished into the 21th century, scoring numerous Grammy wins and nominations and hit albums along the way. Their first recording was Build Me a Cabin in Glory on the Elko label in 1957. Nicest conceit: how hard it is to be soft in a 'Stoned World. Timeless Gospel Classics Vol. Their moves earned them "The Temptations of Gospel" moniker. 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. What I mean be that he gave me his Holy Ghost, the peace within to know that He is the reason I even exist.. The three finalists Josh Krajcik, Chris Rene, and Melanie Amaro pulled out all of the stops for their final performances. He is survived by his wife Valerie and three children, ages 8, 11 and 16. Reviews of gospel DVDs, often in conjunction with the audio CD. Rest easy mr. wallace. To God be the glory for giving the talents to these men to lift their voices in praise. In 1960, the group released a single, titled Steal Away to Jesus.. Shortly thereafter, the quartet signed a long-term contract with Peacock Records, leaving one Mighty off their name. View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro . The group was also inducted into the Gospel Hall of Fame. Wallace remained with the Clouds for the remainder of his career, leaving the parent group in 2010 to form his own iteration of the Mighty Clouds. Attendees will also be treated to a short documentary titled, A Living Legacy, by David Ramsey, Rev. See also. 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. Format: Record. They played for President Jimmy Carter and toured extensively overseas. The Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in LA in 1959. 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. Thank you, Debra they are singing in glory, indeed! 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! . 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 Mighty Clouds of Joy Biography, Songs, & Albums | AllMusic Ligon died in December 2016 at the age of 80. Cook has been a member of the group for more than 20 years. I would like to offer my condolences to the family. 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. . Mighty Clouds of Joy - Wikipedia The Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1961 and started out in a tradition-based style. 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 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). Bass guitarist Richard Wallace, the last original member, and Leader of the group, diedon Monday, July 27, 2020, in Tyler, Texas. He was 46. Mr. Wallace was the creator of one of Gospel Quartet Musics iconic bass lines. 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. 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 Scrobble, find and rediscover music with a Last.fm account. The Mighty Clouds of Joy was one of the first groups in urban gospel to incorporate choreographed moves into their act. We lost another legend. Their debut LP, Family Circle, arrived a year later. Ligon told the AP that at the age of 56 he could hit every note that he could at the age of 18. Despite rumors of his demise, the charming rock legend is alive and well. 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 founder and lead vocalist of the Mighty Clouds of Joy, Joe Ligon (born Willie Joe Ligon) helped bring gospel music up to modern standards. Mighty Clouds of Joy is an American traditional gospel music quartet. 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. Their first single, "Steal Away to Jesus," was recorded in 1960. Gods Grace and Mercy will carry you thru, To God be the glory. (2021, February 8). $16.99. The Mighty Clouds of Joy started out in a traditional-based style. Singer Joe Ligon, the dynamic frontman of the Grammy-winning gospel group Mighty Clouds of Joy, has died. 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 Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1959 in Los Angeles, CA as a traditional-based style group. All user-contributed text on this page is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. He had been a member of the group for 20 years. The Mighty Clouds Of Joy | Discography | Discogs This was when they came to South Carolina. 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.". The Mighty Clouds of Joy have been awarded numerous accolades including eightGrammy nominations and three awards. The Mighty Clouds of Joy were an American traditional gospel music quartet. 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." The Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in LA in 1959. '"[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. Mighty Clouds of Joy on Apple Music Thanks for the update.. He will be surely missed. Hes some were around God Throne. As the years advanced, Ligon took a more supportive singing role, with lead vocals performed by ex-Gospel Keynotes vocalist Paul Beasley. He was 80. He was my vocal backbone in the group. The Mighty Clouds of Joy went on to win GRAMMY Awards and become one of the top quartets of the 1960s and 1970s. They were influenced by R&B groups such as The Temptations, as well as the Rev. There, he attended Jefferson High School. By 1960, they had a major Gospel record deal with a hit single and album flying up the charts. The Best of The Dixie Hummingbirds. Ligon says, When Mike joined the group, he fit our vocal style like a glove. Mighty Clouds of Joy is an American traditional gospel music quartet. 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). He loved everyone. Mighty Clouds of Joy | Artist | GRAMMY.com His ability to sing soon attracted the attention of other students, including Johnny Martin, Richard Wallace, and Elmo Franklin. This blog is no longer being updated. According to to a news release provided by gospel music industry publicist Bill. The following year, the group recorded their debut album, Family Circle. The funeral service will be: $3.98. Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1954 and started out in a tradition-based style. Let it play in the background as you study and immerse yourself in this topic! The Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1955 in Los Angeles, California. 3x Grammy Award-Winning gospel group ft. Ron Staples, Johnny Valentine, Dale Staples, Tim Woodson & Derrick Staples -. 2014. A new version of Last.fm is available, to keep everything running smoothly, please reload the site. Members have included Joe Ligon, Richard Wallace, Johnny Valentine, Ron Staples, . 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. 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. The original group members included: David Walker; Ligon; Leon Polk; Richard Wallace; Elmo Franklin; Artis Turnbough; Ermant Franklin Jr.; Johnny Martin. The groups signature songs included Walk Around Heaven, Nearer My God to Thee, and Ive Been in the Storm Too Long. 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. 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. You can read more on my personal blog,Notes From The Funny Farmand follow some fun stuff on my dog Bandits blog. Kim Jones is an ordained pastor and a co-founder of Road to Revelation, a Christian rock band. Ligon died Sunday in Georgia, his manager, Isaac Lindsey, said. He was 80. The Mighty Clouds of Joy have shared the stage with Paul Simon, Aretha Franklin, andThe Rolling Stones. Thus not realizing they were setting a standard and paving a way for future gospel soul groups for decades to come. Ligon's fiery preaching, inspired by the radio broadcasts of Reverend C.L. I knew he was the last original. 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. Singer Joe Ligon, the dynamic frontman of the Grammy-winning gospel group Mighty Clouds of Joy, has died. I meet all the Mighty Clouds, personally on multiple occasions as a child in the 60s and 70s. Rest with the almighty my friend! Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox, A daily briefing on what matters in the music industry. The Mighty Clouds of Joy - Apple Music Julius Cheeks, a Los Angeles singer known for his baritone voice and onstage antics. Invited to join a vocal group formed by his cousins, he was persuaded by his mother to accept the invitation. "Mighty Clouds of Joy Biography." Billboard is a part of Penske Media Corporation. His manager, Isaac Lindsey, said Monday that Ligon died on Sunday . Ligon was born . 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. He was indeed an inspirational singer, guitar player and a gentleman. It was their first crossover success. 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 It appears to have started with a fake blog post reporting that Bon Jovi suffered cardiac arrest. Speed: 45 RPM. Menu. 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. Mighty Clouds of Joy Biography - Learn Religions In lieu of flowers, donations are requested for the Michael Cook Trust Fund and can be made at any Bank of America Branch. With a singing style derived from Southern Baptist churches, Ligon would shout, scream and jump into the crowds, which he called cuttin the fool, and would deliver sermons in between songs. 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 He added: And we got stoned for it.. [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. In 1977, the band released two albums, Live and Direct and The Truth Is the Power.. The Mighty Clouds of Joy, Self: Soul Train. Joe died on December 11, 2016, at age 80. 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. A small donation would help us keep this available to all. Interestingly, Wallace had recorded for Peacock two years prior to the signing, when he played guitar behind the Alpha-Omega Singers 1958 sides for the Houston-based imprint. Cards can be sent to Valerie Cook, PO Box 273, Jessup, MD 20794. Mighty Clouds of Joy | Encyclopedia.com The original members were Walter Ligon, Johnny Martin, Richard Wallace and Elmer Franklin. Founding ensemble member Johnny Martin died on February 12, 1987, in Los Angeles at the age of 46. 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 has always been one if my favorite Quartets. Also performed as: The Mighty Mighty Clouds of Joy, Joe Ligon & the Mighty Clouds of Joy. 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.". 2002. It was followed by A Bright Side in 1965. Some user-contributed text on this page is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. Elmo Franklin of the Mighty Clouds of Joy Passes Away Release Calendar Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Browse Movies by Genre Top Box Office Showtimes & Tickets Movie News India Movie Spotlight. Mighty Clouds Of Joy music, videos, stats, and photos | Last.fm We were one of the first groups to do contemporary gospel, Ligon said during a 1993 interview. 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. What was the name of your family group? 9:00 AM 11:00 AM viewing, 11:00 AM 2:00 PM service Material . Gospel singers dont retire, you know, they just die doing what they do, he said. When the Peacock Records label heard these tapes, the group was quickly signed to a recording contract. He was a people person. Joe Ligon, frontman for gospel group Mighty Clouds of Joy, dies at 80 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. At age 14, Ligon moved to LA to live with his uncle. 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. Greetings, dear Beliefnet readers! At his uncle's insistence, he agreed to enroll in the local high school. The Next Edition, Mighty Clouds of Joy | Los Angeles CA - Facebook 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. According to essays by Opal Nations, Richard Edward Wallace was born June 9, 1940, in Austin, Texas. Connect your Spotify account to your Last.fm account and scrobble everything you listen to, from any Spotify app on any device or platform. African American History: Research Guides & Websites, Global African History: Research Guides & Websites, African American Scientists and Technicians of the Manhattan Project, Envoys, Diplomatic Ministers, & Ambassadors, https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-mighty-clouds-of-joy-mn0000893234/biography, https://www.malaco.com/artists/gospel/the-mighty-clouds-of-joy/, https://us.napster.com/artist/the-mighty-clouds-of-joy, Foundation, Organization, and Corporate Supporters. BREAKING NEWS: Mighty Clouds of Joy member dies The Mighty Clouds of Joy signed a deal with Peacock Records gospel label. 47 on the R&B chart. RIH, Sir! 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). Joe Ligon, Singer Of Gospel Group Mighty Clouds Of Joy, Dies at 80 For more informaiton, visit the Mighty Clouds of Joy website. 11400 Glenn Dale Boulevard Ligons death also was confirmed by his former booking agent Ricky DeRae. His grandfather was a preacher, while his father sang in a gospel quartet. The Mighty Clouds of Joy. I am so shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Richard Wallace. Mighty Clouds Of Joy. 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. This will go to the welfare of his children. 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). 22 on the Billboard Soul Music chart and peaked at no. The following year, 1958, they produced In Lord, You Woke Me Up This Morning on the Proverb label. Richard and the Clouds were truly a group of great guys who I counted as really good friends. Joe Ligon (born Willie Joe Ligon in Troy, Alabama on October 11, 1936) died on December 11, 2016, at age 80. December 20, 2020 at 12:16 a.m. The group was influenced by The Temptations, an American vocal group that released four Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles. Im saddened to hear of the passing of Richard Wallace. Michael Cook died in 2009 at the age of 46 after suffering a massive coronary. It also reached no. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I'm not if anybody can tell me have Joe look on song on the same show with Sam Cooke and the soul stirrers and mighty clouds, James Oliver (The FAYETTE Spiritual Aires), Joe was the greatest.