Billboard is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Joe Ligon (born Willie Joe Ligon in Troy, Alabama on October 11, 1936) died on December 11, 2016, at age 80. . This item: Classic 3. by The Mighty Clouds of Joy Audio CD. The Mighty Clouds Of Joy | Discography | Discogs His manager, Isaac Lindsey, said Monday that Ligon died on Sunday . 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 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. He inspired so many gospel groups. The Mighty Clouds of Joy went on to win GRAMMY Awards and become one of the top quartets of the 1960s and 1970s. 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. 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. 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. RIH, Sir! 32 on the Billboard R&B chart and 102 on the Billboard US Hot 100 chart. I meet all the Mighty Clouds, personally on multiple occasions as a child in the 60s and 70s. Please enjoy the archives. While we mourn the loss of a very good and humble man, we also celebrate his remarkable life as one of the most successful Artists in Gospel Music History, said Ligons manager, Pastor Isaac Lindsey. They played for President Jimmy Carter and toured extensively overseas. As the years advanced, Ligon took a more supportive singing role, with lead vocals performed by ex-Gospel Keynotes vocalist Paul Beasley. RIP: Richard Wallace of the Mighty Clouds of Joy 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. 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. Their crossover success brought them added recognition, and they opened for the Rolling Stones, Paul Simon and Aretha Franklin. '"[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. The Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1959 in Los Angeles, CA as a traditional-based style group. Mighty Clouds of Joy - Live - YouTube The Mighty Clouds of Joy have been awarded numerous accolades including eightGrammy nominations and three awards. Franklin, Willie Joe Ligon, Richard Wallace and Johnny Martin were the four founding members of the Mighty Clouds of Joy. 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. 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. Glenn Dale, MD 20769 The group was influenced by The Temptations, an American vocal group that released four Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles. 4. by Five Blind Boys Of Alabama Audio CD. Shouting, troubles over. 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. Invited to join a vocal group formed by his cousins, he was persuaded by his mother to accept the invitation. 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. Mighty Clouds of Joy is an American traditional gospel music quartet. Thus not realizing they were setting a standard and paving a way for future gospel soul groups for decades to come. Mighty Clouds of Joy is an American traditional gospel music quartet. Their debut LP, Family Circle, arrived a year later. It was their first crossover success. 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 You can read more on my personal blog,Notes From The Funny Farmand follow some fun stuff on my dog Bandits blog. Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1954 and started out in a tradition-based style. 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. Im saddened to hear of the passing of Richard Wallace. 11400 Glenn Dale Boulevard The Mighty Clouds of Joy were an American traditional gospel music quartet. Founder of Journal of Gospel Music blog (formally The Black Gospel Blog) and producer of the Gospel Memories Radio Show. BREAKING NEWS: Mighty Clouds of Joy member dies Attendees will also be treated to a short documentary titled, A Living Legacy, by David Ramsey, Rev. The following year, the group recorded their debut album, Family Circle. 2014. Shortly thereafter, the quartet signed a long-term contract with Peacock Records, leaving one Mighty off their name. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. In 1974, The Mighty Clouds of Joy became the first gospel group to appear on the television dance program, Soul Train. Friday, July 25th A new version of Last.fm is available, to keep everything running smoothly, please reload the site. 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. 2, This page was last edited on 13 February 2023, at 11:29. Thanks for the update.. They became one of the most influential gospel groups in the US. The Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1959 in Los Angeles, CA as a traditional-based style group. All That I Am: Chapter 1. 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 resulting sound turned the Mighty Clouds of Joy into the most commercially successful gospel group. Gospel singers dont retire, you know, they just die doing what they do, he said. In 1964, The Mighty Clouds of Joy released their debut album, called Family Circle via Peacock Records. Cook has been a member of the group for more than 20 years. Speed: 45 RPM. Cards can be sent to Valerie Cook, PO Box 273, Jessup, MD 20794. . 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. They were influenced by R&B groups such as The Temptations, as well as the Rev. I knew he was the last original. The Next Edition, Mighty Clouds of Joy | Los Angeles CA - Facebook According to to a news release provided by gospel music industry publicist Bill. 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. It was there that he met Johnny Martin in school. He moved to Los Angeles to live with his uncle when he was in his early teens. Younger fans loved it while older, more traditional fans did not. For more information, contact bobm@journalofgospelmusic.com or call (773) 576-2378. The . He will be surely missed. 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). He was a people person. Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. My condolences to his family and many friends. 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 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. As the years advanced, Ligon took a more supportive singing role, with lead vocals performed by ex-Gospel Keynotes vocalist Paul Beasley. 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. He loved everyone. Michael Cook died in 2009 at the age of 46 after suffering a massive coronary. Reviews of gospel DVDs, often in conjunction with the audio CD. The Mighty Clouds of Joy - IMDb Nicest conceit: how hard it is to be soft in a 'Stoned World. Gospel music authorities Rev. 23 talking about this. Singles that are picks of the week are singled out for their quality. Reid Temple AME Church The original members of the band include Johnny Martin, Elmo and Ermant Franklin, Leon Polk and Richard Wallace. The three finalists Josh Krajcik, Chris Rene, and Melanie Amaro pulled out all of the stops for their final performances. Menu. Joe Ligon, frontman for gospel group Mighty Clouds of Joy, dies at 80 We dont have any upcoming events for this artist right now. He was 80. 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. 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. Timeless Gospel Classics Vol. Mighty Clouds of Joy Bio - ChristianMusic.com Other Works | Publicity Listings | Official Sites. 'Gospel In Person' series to feature Just Us Guys - March 4 Javascript is required to view shouts on this page. His grandfather was a preacher, while his father sang in a gospel quartet. 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). 9:00 AM 11:00 AM viewing, 11:00 AM 2:00 PM service In 1977, the band released two albums, Live and Direct and The Truth Is the Power.. For more informaiton, visit the Mighty Clouds of Joy website. The Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1955 in Los Angeles, California. Shop the Jonathan DesVerney Gospel Channel store $14.99 There, he attended Jefferson High School. They become the first gospel act to ever appear on Soul Train,which earned them criticism among traditional gospel music fans. 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). (2021, February 8). May he forever Rest In Paradise.. Verdie Maynus 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. Unlike other gospel groups, its members dressed stylishly they used the same tailor as the Temptations and worked slick choreography into their act. Their first recording was Build Me a Cabin in Glory on the Elko label in 1957. Rest with the almighty my friend! 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. Their moves earned them "The Temptations of Gospel" moniker. 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 Biography." We are so sorry and sadden to hear about Richard Wallace passing. All Rights Reserved. Ligon was born . Ligon's fiery preaching, inspired by the radio broadcasts of Reverend C.L. Mighty Clouds of Joy is an American traditional gospel music quartet. The following year, 1958, they produced In Lord, You Woke Me Up This Morning on the Proverb label. R.I.P. Joe Ligon Of The Mighty Clouds Of Joy 1936-2016 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. 2002. Joe Ligon, Singer Of Gospel Group Mighty Clouds Of Joy, Dies at 80 He was my vocal backbone in the group. 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. Learn Religions. Mighty Clouds Of Joy. Julius Cheeks, a Los Angeles singer known for his baritone voice and onstage antics. 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 Joe Ligon died in December 2016 at the age of 80. THE MIGHTY CLOUDS WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!! $16.99. He had been a member of the group for 20 years. Mighty Clouds of Joy | SoulTracks - Soul Music Biographies, News and 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. To God be the glory for giving the talents to these men to lift their voices in praise. I am so shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Richard Wallace. 8262 Lokus Road 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! Mighty Clouds of Joy - Gospel Music Hall Of Fame He and his brother Lee ODaniel migrated west to Los Angeles and, in 1956, joined the Stars of Bethel, a quartet that included cousins from Texas who had moved to LA ahead of them. At his uncle's insistence, he agreed to enroll in the local high school. Bob Marovich is a gospel music historian, author, and radio host. All Rights Reserved. Mighty Clouds of Joy | Artist | GRAMMY.com The founder and lead vocalist of the Mighty Clouds of Joy who helped bring gospel music up to modern standards. 69 on Billboard Hot 100. 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. The group was influenced by The Temptations, an American vocal group that released four Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles. Although I was in the church I was not living saved, but then God saved me. 22 on the Billboard Soul Music chart and peaked at no. Ligon died Sunday in Georgia, his manager, Isaac Lindsey, said. Elmo Franklin of the Mighty Clouds of Joy Passes Away Rest easy mr. wallace. Singer Joe Ligon, the dynamic frontman of the Grammy-winning gospel group Mighty Clouds of Joy, has died. 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. @rustychalfont Based in Los Angeles, California, the original group members include Joe Ligon (d. 2016), Johnny Martin (d. 1987), Ermant Franklin Jr., Artis . Ligon had eight daughters, named: Ericka, La Tonya, Dawn, La Tisha, Patricia, Adrenia, Clarice, and Debra. Living Waters Worship Center In the House of the Lord - Live In Houston. The Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1961 and started out in a tradition-based style. The quartet later changed its name to the Stars of Bethlehem and cut an album for Ensign Records in 1960. 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. Movies. Over the years, however, he took that style to a new level. 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." Just Us Guys' live performance is sure to honor the memory of beloved founding members Wallace Hedgspeth and James Lunsford, who passed on in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Cook has been a member of the group for more than 20 years. I grew up with gospel music in my blood and on my mind.. 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. Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1954 and started out in a tradition-based style. This blog is no longer being updated. Release Title:---Record Size: 7" Style: Classic R&B, Gospel. $11.99. 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.". This will go to the welfare of his children. Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox, A daily briefing on what matters in the music industry. Rest with God! Kim Jones is an ordained pastor and a co-founder of Road to Revelation, a Christian rock band. 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. 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. Greetings, dear Beliefnet readers! The Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1955 in Los Angeles, California. The Mighty Clouds of Joy developed a fan base much like the soul Pop and R&B groups. 5:00 PM 9:00 PM 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. Scrobble, find and rediscover music with a Last.fm account. 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. It appears to have started with a fake blog post reporting that Bon Jovi suffered cardiac arrest. A native of Troy, Alabama, Ligon was blessed with natural singing talent. 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