The Mighty Clouds of Joy, Self: Soul Train. Other Works | Publicity Listings | Official Sites. 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. Mighty Clouds of Joy | Artist | GRAMMY.com '"[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. Reviews of gospel DVDs, often in conjunction with the audio CD. The two started singing together and founded the group, pulling from other popular gospel groups in the area to round out the line-up. 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. THE MIGHTY CLOUDS WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!! 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. The founder and lead vocalist of the Mighty Clouds of Joy who helped bring gospel music up to modern standards. Jones, Kim. Singer Joe Ligon, the dynamic frontman of the Grammy-winning gospel group Mighty Clouds of Joy, has died. A Michael Cook Tribute will be held: The original members were Walter Ligon, Johnny Martin, Richard Wallace and Elmer Franklin. $3.98. Michael Cook died in 2009 at the age of 46 after suffering a massive coronary. The Mighty Clouds Of Joy: The quartet veterans speak of the mighty long Bass guitarist Richard Wallace, the last original member, and Leader of the group, diedon Monday, July 27, 2020, in Tyler, Texas. 1990. [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. The Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1961 and started out in a tradition-based style. 1990 Albums Down Memory Lane: Chapter 2 2014 All That I Am: Chapter 1 2011 At the Revival 2010 Movin' MIGHTY CLOUDS OF HARMONY press photo 8" x 10" publicity GOSPEL He was 46. Thanks for the update.. JGM extends its sympathies to the family, friends, and many fans of the late Richard Wallace. I meet all the Mighty Clouds, personally on multiple occasions as a child in the 60s and 70s. The . 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. Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States. The following year, the group recorded their debut album, Family Circle. The Mighty Clouds of Joy was one of the first groups in urban gospel to incorporate choreographed moves into their act. A small donation would help us keep this available to all. 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 . 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. The Mighty Clouds of Joy - Classic 3 - Amazon.com Music Franklin, soon became a trademark of the Mighty Clouds of Joy's records. 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). 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. It was followed by A Bright Side in 1965. He was 80. So sorry to hear of Richards passing. 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. According to to a news release provided by gospel music industry publicist Bill. 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. Joe Ligon (born Willie Joe Ligon in Troy, Alabama on October 11, 1936) died on December 11, 2016, at age 80. 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. 8262 Lokus Road (2021, February 8). The group's first break came when they caught the ear of a local gospel disc jockey, who agreed to produce several demo tapes. Shouting, troubles over. Mighty Clouds of Joy | Encyclopedia.com Thank you for visitingGospel Soundcheckpage. However at a little [], Davy Jones dies and I say goodbye to my childhood. The original group members included: David Walker; Ligon; Leon Polk; Richard Wallace; Elmo Franklin; Artis Turnbough; Ermant Franklin Jr.; Johnny Martin. 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 Do you find this information helpful? 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. The Greatest Hits by The Mighty Clouds of Joy on Apple Music It was there that he met Johnny Martin in school. December 20, 2020 at 12:16 a.m. Greetings, dear Beliefnet readers! Elmant Franklin Jr. died on January 17, 1996, in Austin, Texas. The Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in LA in 1959. 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. The Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1959 in Los Angeles, CA as a traditional-based style group. Ligon died Sunday in Georgia, his manager, Isaac Lindsey, said. Living Waters Worship Center Ligon says, When Mike joined the group, he fit our vocal style like a glove. "Mighty Clouds of Joy Biography." He will be deeply missed by all of us. 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. His manager, Isaac Lindsey, said Monday that Ligon died on Sunday . 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. Elmo Franklin died in 2008 at the age of 71. R.I.P. Joe Ligon Of The Mighty Clouds Of Joy 1936-2016 Mighty Clouds of Joy - Nearer My God to Thee - YouTube They became one of the most influential gospel groups in the US. He's Real To Me Mighty Clouds Of Joy | Last.fm 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. Cook has been a member of the group for more than 20 years. 2011. 32 on the Billboard R&B chart and 102 on the Billboard US Hot 100 chart. 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. 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 . 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.. The original members were Walter Ligon, Johnny Martin, Richard Wallace and Elmer Franklin. Your donation is fully tax-deductible. Singer Joe Ligon, the dynamic frontman of the Grammy-winning gospel group Mighty Clouds of Joy, has died. Joe Ligon - Net Worth, Wife, Death, Mighty Clouds of Joy, Biography 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. The group was influenced by The Temptations, an American vocal group that released four Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles. 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. 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). The groups signature songs included Walk Around Heaven, Nearer My God to Thee, and Ive Been in the Storm Too Long. Although shyness prevented him from singing in public, he sang constantly. We were one of the first groups to do contemporary gospel, Ligon said during a 1993 interview. 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.". Members have included Joe Ligon, Richard Wallace, Johnny Valentine, Ron Staples, . 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.". He loved everyone. Jones, Kim. The Best of The Dixie Hummingbirds. Scrobble, find and rediscover music with a Last.fm account. Bob Marovich is a gospel music historian, author, and radio host. 2, This page was last edited on 13 February 2023, at 11:29. 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. Movies. A WONDERFUL INDIVIDUAL THAT PERFORMED FOR SO MANY. 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. See original listing. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Press Photo Music Group The Mighty Clouds of Joy - afx16019 at the best online prices at eBay! Their first single, "Steal Away to Jesus," was recorded in 1960. 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. So inspirational and touched by so many hearts. Rest with the almighty my friend! Richard Wallace was such a cool and soft spoken, and nice man that was very approacable. sending my condolences In lieu of flowers, donations are requested for the Michael Cook Trust Fund and can be made at any Bank of America Branch. 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. In 1960, the ensemble released Steal Away to Jesus on the Peacock label and in 1961 they recorded their debut album, Family Circlet. He was 80. He had been a member of the group for 20 years. Mighty Clouds Of Joy hometown, lineup, biography | Last.fm 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. https://www.learnreligions.com/mighty-clouds-of-joy-biography-710696 (accessed March 4, 2023). For more informaiton, visit the Mighty Clouds of Joy website. Ligon told the AP that at the age of 56 he could hit every note that he could at the age of 18.