Mr. Wallace was the creator of one of Gospel Quartet Musics iconic bass lines. Cook has been a member of the group for more than 20 years. The Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in LA in 1959. 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 long-lived group flourished into the 21th century, scoring numerous Grammy wins and nominations and hit albums along the way. A Michael Cook Tribute will be held: The Next Edition, Mighty Clouds of Joy | Los Angeles CA - Facebook December 20, 2020 at 12:16 a.m. Shop the Jonathan DesVerney Gospel Channel store $14.99 The Mighty Clouds of Joy - Biography - IMDb In 1960, the group released a single, titled Steal Away to Jesus.. They become the first gospel act to ever appear on Soul Train,which earned them criticism among traditional gospel music fans. 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. See also. 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. He was 80. Im so sorry.my condolences to his famiky and friends. It appears to have started with a fake blog post reporting that Bon Jovi suffered cardiac arrest. All That I Am: Chapter 1. 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. 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. Timeless Gospel Classics Vol. 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). 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). The Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1955 in Los Angeles, California. Singer Joe Ligon, the dynamic frontman of the Grammy-winning gospel group Mighty Clouds of Joy, has died. Read Full Biography, Contemporary gospel's preeminent group, the Mighty Clouds of Joy carried the torch for the traditional quartet vocal style throughout an era dominated by solo acts and choirs; pioneering a distinctively funky sound that over time gained grudging acceptance even among purists, they pushed spiritual music in new and unexpected directions, even scoring a major disco hit. It was there that he met Johnny Martin in school. A new version of Last.fm is available, to keep everything running smoothly, please reload the site. He was 46. The Mighty Clouds of Joy - IMDb All Rights Reserved. What I mean be that he gave me his Holy Ghost, the peace within to know that He is the reason I even exist.. When the Peacock Records label heard these tapes, the group was quickly signed to a recording contract. Joe Ligon (born Willie Joe Ligon in Troy, Alabama on October 11, 1936) died on December 11, 2016, at age 80. 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. Elmo Franklin died in 2008 at the age of 71. The quartet later changed its name to the Stars of Bethlehem and cut an album for Ensign Records in 1960. 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 - Nearer My God to Thee - YouTube 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. The original members were Walter Ligon, Johnny Martin, Richard Wallace and Elmer Franklin. 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 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. 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. They sang their original composition, Time from their album Its Time which peaked at no. The Mighty Clouds of Joy - Apple Music In 1977, the band released two albums, Live and Direct and The Truth Is the Power.. Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States. 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." . 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. This item: Classic 3. by The Mighty Clouds of Joy Audio CD. 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! Singer Joe Ligon, the dynamic frontman of the Grammy-winning gospel group Mighty Clouds of Joy, has died. 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. Julius Cheeks, a Los Angeles singer known for his baritone voice and onstage antics. The Mighty Clouds of Joy were an American traditional gospel music quartet. 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. I lived, I call it a sinful life, Wallace said. Founding ensemble member Johnny Martin died on February 12, 1987, in Los Angeles at the age of 46. For more information, contact bobm@journalofgospelmusic.com or call (773) 576-2378. They can even be found on display in the Apollo Theater. The original members of the band include Johnny Martin, Elmo and Ermant Franklin, Leon Polk and Richard Wallace. Feel free to contribute! Rest with God! 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. Cards can be sent to Valerie Cook, PO Box 273, Jessup, MD 20794. "Mighty Clouds of Joy Biography." Elmant Franklin Jr. died on January 17, 1996, in Austin, Texas. Among Mighty Clouds of Joys most popular songs: Time, which crossed over to the R&B charts in 1974, and Mighty High, a 1975 disco hit. 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. So sorry to hear of Richards passing. The funeral service will be: Mighty Clouds of Joy Biography. https://www.learnreligions.com/mighty-clouds-of-joy-biography-710696 (accessed March 4, 2023). Mighty Clouds Of Joy music, videos, stats, and photos | Last.fm 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 What was the name of your family group? He was indeed an inspirational singer, guitar player and a gentleman. Trivia (1) Members have included Joe Ligon, Richard Wallace, Johnny Valentine, Ron Staples, Tim Woodson, Johnny Martin, June Richmond. So inspirational and touched by so many hearts. Joe Ligon, Singer Of Gospel Group Mighty Clouds Of Joy, Dies at 80 In 1974, The Mighty Clouds of Joy became the first gospel group to appear on the television dance program, Soul Train. 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 groups signature songs included Walk Around Heaven, Nearer My God to Thee, and Ive Been in the Storm Too Long. Mighty Clouds of Joy is an American traditional gospel music quartet. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested for the Michael Cook Trust Fund and can be made at any Bank of America Branch. . Want to know what everyone in the music business is talking about. Members have included Joe Ligon, Richard Wallace, Johnny Valentine, Ron Staples, . Ligon told the AP that at the age of 56 he could hit every note that he could at the age of 18. It also reached no. They played for President Jimmy Carter and toured extensively overseas. I was always a die hard quartet fan HE WILL BE SURELY BE MISSED. R.I.P. Joe Ligon Of The Mighty Clouds Of Joy 1936-2016 He was 80. He was my vocal backbone in the group. Elmo Franklin of the Mighty Clouds of Joy Passes Away Im not going to say goodbye but I will say see ya later! Read Full Biography. 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). Johnny Martin - the founding member died in 1987 at the age of 46. 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 Ligon died in December 2016 at the age of 80. Although shyness prevented him from singing in public, he sang constantly. Their moves earned them "The Temptations of Gospel" moniker. Franklin, Willie Joe Ligon, Richard Wallace and Johnny Martin were the four founding members of the Mighty Clouds of Joy.