Ligon's fiery preaching, inspired by the radio broadcasts of Reverend C.L. Gods Grace and Mercy will carry you thru, To God be the glory. Although I was in the church I was not living saved, but then God saved me. Im not going to say goodbye but I will say see ya later! The group was influenced by The Temptations, an American vocal group that released four Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles. The X Factor final performances - care to predict a winner. Mighty Clouds of Joy is an American traditional gospel music quartet. Jones, Kim. God bless his family! Thanks for the story. 2023 Billboard Media, LLC. 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. May he forever Rest In Paradise.. Verdie Maynus A small donation would help us keep this available to all. Scrobble, find and rediscover music with a Last.fm account. 8262 Lokus Road They sang their original composition, Time from their album Its Time which peaked at no. 3x Grammy Award-Winning gospel group ft. Ron Staples, Johnny Valentine, Dale Staples, Tim Woodson & Derrick Staples -. 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 signed a deal with Peacock Records gospel label. Mr. Wallace was the creator of one of Gospel Quartet Musics iconic bass lines. Learn Religions. 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 . Franklin, Willie Joe Ligon, Richard Wallace and Johnny Martin were the four founding members of the Mighty Clouds of Joy. Zelenskyy on Anniversary of Russian War. I grew up with gospel music in my blood and on my mind.. @rustychalfont Based in Los Angeles, California, the original group members include Joe Ligon (d. 2016), Johnny Martin (d. 1987), Ermant Franklin Jr., Artis . Thank you, Debra they are singing in glory, indeed! 23 talking about this. Their crossover success brought them added recognition, and they opened for the Rolling Stones, Paul Simon and Aretha Franklin. . Im saddened to hear of the passing of Richard Wallace. 2002. In 2005, Wallace told Clint Yeatts of KLTV that he got saved while a member of the Clouds. The Mighty Clouds of Joy. He had been a member of the group for 20 years. 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. 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. December 20, 2020 at 12:16 a.m. BlackPast.org is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and our EIN is 26-1625373. Singer Joe Ligon, the dynamic frontman of the Grammy-winning gospel group Mighty Clouds of Joy, has died. 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 ability to sing soon attracted the attention of other students, including Johnny Martin, Richard Wallace, and Elmo Franklin. Elmo Franklin died in 2008 at the age of 71. 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. What I mean be that he gave me his Holy Ghost, the peace within to know that He is the reason I even exist.. Johnny Martin - the founding member died in 1987 at the age of 46. Michael Cook, a member of the award-winning Mighty Clouds of Joy, died Friday of a heart attack. 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 The Mighty Clouds of Joy have shared the stage with Paul Simon, Aretha Franklin, andThe Rolling Stones. Friday, July 25th His manager, Isaac Lindsey, said Monday that Ligon died on Sunday in Georgia. He is survived by his wife Valerie and three children, ages 8, 11 and 16. 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. Their first recording was "Build Me a Cabin in Glory" on the Elko label in 1957. 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. Thus not realizing they were setting a standard and paving a way for future gospel soul groups for decades to come. The Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1955 in Los Angeles, California. Younger fans loved it while older, more traditional fans did not. He was 80. 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. His grandfather was a preacher, while his father sang in a gospel quartet. 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. 2, This page was last edited on 13 February 2023, at 11:29. He was 80. Content on this site does not reflect an endorsement or recommendation of any artist or music by the Recording Academy and its Affiliates. 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). Reviews of gospel DVDs, often in conjunction with the audio CD. This item: Classic 3. by The Mighty Clouds of Joy Audio CD. 69 on Billboard Hot 100. I would like to offer my condolences to the family. It also reached no. '"[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. Living Waters Worship Center 1990 Albums Down Memory Lane: Chapter 2 2014 All That I Am: Chapter 1 2011 At the Revival 2010 Movin' Gospel singers dont retire, you know, they just die doing what they do, he said. Bob Marovich is a gospel music historian, author, and radio host. Cards can be sent to Valerie Cook, PO Box 273, Jessup, MD 20794. The Mighty Clouds of Joy started out in a traditional-based style. 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. 32 on the Billboard R&B chart and 102 on the Billboard US Hot 100 chart. 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 group was influenced by The Temptations, an American vocal group that released four Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles. The original members of the band include Johnny Martin, Elmo and Ermant Franklin, Leon Polk and Richard Wallace. Other Works | Publicity Listings | Official Sites. Also performed as: The Mighty Mighty Clouds of Joy, Joe Ligon & the Mighty Clouds of Joy. The Mighty Clouds of Joy have been awarded numerous accolades including eightGrammy nominations and three awards. Its been a while since I posted Im kind of in limbo right now with entertainment writing, as Ive made the move to animals and faith. Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1954 and started out in a tradition-based style. Artist descriptions on Last.fm are editable by everyone. Franklin, soon became a trademark of the Mighty Clouds of Joy's records. Often immatated but never duplicatedl The founder and lead vocalist of the Mighty Clouds of Joy who helped bring gospel music up to modern standards. 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). "Mighty Clouds of Joy Biography." 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. To God be the glory for giving the talents to these men to lift their voices in praise. Glenn Dale, MD 20769 Franklin, Willie Joe Ligon, Richard Wallace and Johnny Martin were the four founding members of the Mighty Clouds of Joy. Cook has been a member of the group for more than 20 years. I am so y to hear of Richards passing. RIH, Sir! 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. 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. 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. They played for President Jimmy Carter and toured extensively overseas. 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. See also. The other original members of the group were Johnny Martin, Elmo Franklin, Leon Polk and David Walker (aka Bunker Hill). Im so sorry.my condolences to his famiky and friends. This will go to the welfare of his children. See original listing. Richard Wallace was such a cool and soft spoken, and nice man that was very approacable. He was a people person. Successful gospel group who fused the traditional quartet style with modern, R&B-influenced musical arrangements. Your donation is fully tax-deductible. 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. I lived, I call it a sinful life, Wallace said. 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. 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. sending my condolences 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 Biography." 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 Ligons death also was confirmed by his former booking agent Ricky DeRae. $16.99. [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. Joe died on December 11, 2016, at age 80. The Mighty Clouds of Joy formed in 1955 in Los Angeles and still includes two of its original members, Joe Ligon and Richard Wallace. By 1960, they had a major Gospel record deal with a hit single and album flying up the charts. It was their first crossover success. Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1954 and started out in a tradition-based style. Despite rumors of his demise, the charming rock legend is alive and well. 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. 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: Best of The Mighty Clouds Of Joy, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. 20072023 Blackpast.org. This was when they came to South Carolina. 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 There, he attended Jefferson High School. Thanks for the update.. Thursday, July 24th Release Title:---Record Size: 7" Style: Classic R&B, Gospel. He was 80. Invited to join a vocal group formed by his cousins, he was persuaded by his mother to accept the invitation. 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 As the years advanced, Ligon took a more supportive singing role, with lead vocals performed by ex-Gospel Keynotes vocalist Beasley. The . The following year, the group recorded their debut album, Family Circle. Go directly to shout page. Learn Religions, Feb. 8, 2021, learnreligions.com/mighty-clouds-of-joy-biography-710696. Material . 4. by Five Blind Boys Of Alabama Audio CD. 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.. 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.". 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). The Mighty Clouds of Joy developed a fan base much like the soul Pop and R&B groups. The funeral service will be: And we got stoned for it, Ligon told The Associated Press in a 1993 interview. The Best of The Dixie Hummingbirds. The resulting sound turned the Mighty Clouds of Joy into the most commercially successful gospel group. In 1977, the band released two albums, Live and Direct and The Truth Is the Power.. Timeless Gospel Classics Vol. Ligon had eight daughters, named: Ericka, La Tonya, Dawn, La Tisha, Patricia, Adrenia, Clarice, and Debra. Scrobbling is when Last.fm tracks the music you listen to and automatically adds it to your music profile. He was born on October 11, 1936, in Troy, Alabama, USA, as Willie Joe Ligon. 11400 Glenn Dale Boulevard The two started singing together and founded the group, pulling from other popular gospel groups in the area to round out the line-up. 12/13/2016. I am so shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Richard Wallace. I always remembered him from way back when I was a child. More By The Mighty Clouds of Joy Pray for Me. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. The Greatest Singer Ever, Joe Ligon Net Worth, Wife, Death, Mighty Clouds of Joy, Biography, Lee Marvin Net Worth | Wife, Children, Cause of Death. 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.