He was my vocal backbone in the group. The group was influenced by The Temptations, an American vocal group that released four Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles. His manager, Isaac Lindsey, said Monday that Ligon died on Sunday . 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. It also reached no. Feel free to contribute! A WONDERFUL INDIVIDUAL THAT PERFORMED FOR SO MANY. McArthur Pettiford, and Stacey Pettiford; all of whom are renowned . The Mighty Clouds of Joy developed a fan base much like the soul Pop and R&B groups. Zelenskyy on Anniversary of Russian War. In 1964, The Mighty Clouds of Joy released their debut album, called Family Circle via Peacock Records. 12/13/2016. 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. Please enjoy the archives. Over the years, however, he took that style to a new level. This blog is no longer being updated. 3x Grammy Award-Winning gospel group ft. Ron Staples, Johnny Valentine, Dale Staples, Tim Woodson & Derrick Staples -. . 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. 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. Ligon says, When Mike joined the group, he fit our vocal style like a glove. Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States. Thursday, July 24th 69 on Billboard Hot 100. [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. Shouting, troubles over. JGM extends its sympathies to the family, friends, and many fans of the late Richard Wallace. Attendees will also be treated to a short documentary titled, A Living Legacy, by David Ramsey, Rev. 1 on the Disco/Dance chart and remained charted for five weeks. My condolences to his family and many friends. Reviews of gospel DVDs, often in conjunction with the audio CD. The founder and lead vocalist of the Mighty Clouds of Joy who helped bring gospel music up to modern standards. Ligons death also was confirmed by his former booking agent Ricky DeRae. 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. 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. https://www.learnreligions.com/mighty-clouds-of-joy-biography-710696 (accessed March 4, 2023). Fly high above the clouds another ?.gone so soon. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested for the Michael Cook Trust Fund and can be made at any Bank of America Branch. 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 "Mighty Clouds of Joy Biography." He inspired so many gospel groups. This was when they came to South Carolina. 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. 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. 32 on the Billboard R&B chart and 102 on the Billboard US Hot 100 chart. Biography. 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. 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). It was their first crossover success. So sorry to hear of Richards passing. Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1954 and started out in a tradition-based style. It was followed by A Bright Side in 1965. The Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1955 in Los Angeles, California. 20072023 Blackpast.org. In 2005, Wallace told Clint Yeatts of KLTV that he got saved while a member of the Clouds. The . The resulting sound turned the Mighty Clouds of Joy into the most commercially successful gospel group. In 1974, The Mighty Clouds of Joy became the first gospel group to appear on the television dance program, Soul Train. I knew he was the last original. Ligon died in December 2016 at the age of 80. 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.". Living Waters Worship Center At his uncle's insistence, he agreed to enroll in the local high school. The three finalists Josh Krajcik, Chris Rene, and Melanie Amaro pulled out all of the stops for their final performances. Greetings, dear Beliefnet readers! Often immatated but never duplicatedl 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"). The original members were Walter Ligon, Johnny Martin, Richard Wallace and Elmer Franklin. Thanks for the update.. Mighty Clouds of Joy is an American traditional gospel music quartet. Gospel music authorities Rev. And we got stoned for it, Ligon told The Associated Press in a 1993 interview. In 1960, the ensemble released Steal Away to Jesus on the Peacock label and in 1961 they recorded their debut album, Family Circlet. His grandfather was a preacher, while his father sang in a gospel quartet. THE MIGHTY CLOUDS WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!! 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 Mighty Clouds of Joy. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. 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. 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. 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. 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.. 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. Rest with the almighty my friend! 2023 Billboard Media, LLC. They can even be found on display in the Apollo Theater. 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. Their moves earned them "The Temptations of Gospel" moniker. In 1960, the group released a single, titled Steal Away to Jesus.. (2021, February 8). The original members of the band include Johnny Martin, Elmo and Ermant Franklin, Leon Polk and Richard Wallace. 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. Your donation is fully tax-deductible. He was 46. However at a little [], Davy Jones dies and I say goodbye to my childhood. By 1960, they had a major Gospel record deal with a hit single and album flying up the charts. We were one of the first groups to do contemporary gospel. 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. 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of the Mighty Clouds of Joy. My Dad and my sisters sung gospil and this gave me a unique opportunity to meet many of icons gospil. Michael Cook, a member of the award-winning Mighty Clouds of Joy, died Friday of a heart attack. Successful gospel group who fused the traditional quartet style with modern, R&B-influenced musical arrangements. 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. 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 .