His grandfather was a preacher, while his father sang in a gospel quartet. All That I Am: Chapter 1. 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. We are so sorry and sadden to hear about Richard Wallace passing. 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. $3.98. In 1960, the ensemble released Steal Away to Jesus on the Peacock label and in 1961 they recorded their debut album, Family Circlet. The groups signature songs included Walk Around Heaven, Nearer My God to Thee, and Ive Been in the Storm Too Long. 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). What I mean be that he gave me his Holy Ghost, the peace within to know that He is the reason I even exist.. Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1954 and started out in a tradition-based style. What was the name of your family group? I am so y to hear of Richards passing. His manager, Isaac Lindsey, said Monday that Ligon died on Sunday . 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 Rest easy mr. wallace. 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of the Mighty Clouds of Joy. 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"). It appears to have started with a fake blog post reporting that Bon Jovi suffered cardiac arrest. We were one of the first groups to do contemporary gospel. He was 80. 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). Singer Joe Ligon, the dynamic frontman of the Grammy-winning gospel group Mighty Clouds of Joy, has died. Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1954 and started out in a tradition-based style. Glenn Dale, MD 20769 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 added: And we got stoned for it.. You can read more on my personal blog,Notes From The Funny Farmand follow some fun stuff on my dog Bandits blog. The founder and lead vocalist of the Mighty Clouds of Joy who helped bring gospel music up to modern standards. Reviews of gospel DVDs, often in conjunction with the audio CD. 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.". Mighty Clouds of Joy Biography. The founder and lead vocalist of the Mighty Clouds of Joy who helped bring gospel music up to modern standards. Other Works | Publicity Listings | Official Sites. The group was influenced by The Temptations, an American vocal group that released four Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles. Singing for God on the stage but not living for Him after I left the stage. And we got stoned for it, Ligon told The Associated Press in a 1993 interview. 20072023 Blackpast.org. Artist descriptions on Last.fm are editable by everyone. The single Mighty Clouds of Joy from that same album reached no. Joe Ligon died in December 2016 at the age of 80. 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. 12/13/2016. 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 1 on the Disco/Dance chart and remained charted for five weeks. 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. The Mighty Clouds of Joy formed in 1955 in Los Angeles and still includes two of its original members, Joe Ligon and Richard Wallace. Scrobbling is when Last.fm tracks the music you listen to and automatically adds it to your music profile. 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. I grew up with gospel music in my blood and on my mind.. Their first recording was "Build Me a Cabin in Glory" on the Elko label in 1957. 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. Thanks for the update.. Home Joe Ligon Net Worth, Wife, Death, Mighty Clouds of Joy, Biography, Sparc Mac Net Worth, Girlfriend, YouTube, Biography, Gabrielle Bernstein Net Worth, Husband, Quotes, Books, Biography. It was there that he met Johnny Martin in school. Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox, A daily briefing on what matters in the music industry. Rest with God! 2, This page was last edited on 13 February 2023, at 11:29. Elmant Franklin Jr. died on January 17, 1996, in Austin, Texas. The X Factor final performances - care to predict a winner. 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. This blog is no longer being updated. Michael Cook, member of the legendary Gospel group The Mighty Clouds of Joy, died Friday morning July 18th as a result of a massive coronary. Javascript is required to view shouts on this page. 5:00 PM 9:00 PM Such a loss to us all.. Cards can be sent to Valerie Cook, PO Box 273, Jessup, MD 20794. 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. Cook has been a member of the group for more than 20 years. Please enjoy the archives. Ligon's fiery preaching, inspired by the radio broadcasts of Reverend C.L. 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.. They can even be found on display in the Apollo Theater. He moved to Los Angeles to live with his uncle when he was in his early teens. He was my vocal backbone in the group. Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Ligons death also was confirmed by his former booking agent Ricky DeRae. 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). All Rights Reserved. All user-contributed text on this page is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. The quartet formed in the mid-1950s as a hard-shouting quartet in keeping with the style of the times, and through the intercession of RnB artist turned gospel DJ Brother Henderson, came to the attention of Peacock Records. Mighty Clouds of Joy is an American traditional gospel music quartet. Bass guitarist Richard Wallace, the last original member, and Leader of the group, diedon Monday, July 27, 2020, in Tyler, Texas. He was 80. Richard Wallace was such a cool and soft spoken, and nice man that was very approacable. 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. 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 His manager, Isaac Lindsey, said Monday that Ligon died on Sunday in Georgia. 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. Ligon told the AP that at the age of 56 he could hit every note that he could at the age of 18. He was 46. JGM extends its sympathies to the family, friends, and many fans of the late Richard Wallace. 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. I meet all the Mighty Clouds, personally on multiple occasions as a child in the 60s and 70s. The other original members of the group were Johnny Martin, Elmo Franklin, Leon Polk and David Walker (aka Bunker Hill). Thus not realizing they were setting a standard and paving a way for future gospel soul groups for decades to come. 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. The Mighty Clouds of Joy were an American traditional gospel music quartet. "Mighty Clouds of Joy Biography." Shortly thereafter, the quartet signed a long-term contract with Peacock Records, leaving one Mighty off their name. 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. Members have included Joe Ligon, Richard Wallace, Johnny Valentine, Ron Staples, . The long-lived group flourished into the 21th century, scoring numerous Grammy wins and nominations and hit albums along the way. They sang their original composition, Time from their album Its Time which peaked at no. $11.99. Living Waters Worship Center 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! Joe died on December 11, 2016, at age 80. Although they increasingly veered toward a heavy, dance-inspiring sound, Ligon and the Mighty Clouds of Joy returned to their earliest roots with the album Live in Charleston, recorded during a concert at the Abundance Tabernacle A.M.E. Zion Church in Charleston, South Carolina, on June 7, 1996. Gods Grace and Mercy will carry you thru, To God be the glory. To God be the glory for giving the talents to these men to lift their voices in praise. Founder of Journal of Gospel Music blog (formally The Black Gospel Blog) and producer of the Gospel Memories Radio Show. Go directly to shout page. The Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1959 in Los Angeles, CA as a traditional-based style group. Michael Cook, a member of the award-winning Mighty Clouds of Joy, died Friday of a heart attack. A WONDERFUL INDIVIDUAL THAT PERFORMED FOR SO MANY. So inspirational and touched by so many hearts. 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. Despite rumors of his demise, the charming rock legend is alive and well. Therefore, at the time of his death, gospel singer Joe Ligon had an estimated net worth of $3 million. 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 Mighty Clouds of Joy. The Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in LA in 1959. All Rights Reserved. 8262 Lokus Road In 1977, the band released two albums, Live and Direct and The Truth Is the Power.. 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. Kim Jones is an ordained pastor and a co-founder of Road to Revelation, a Christian rock band. Odenton, MD 21113 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. The resulting sound turned the Mighty Clouds of Joy into the most commercially successful gospel group. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. 32 on the Billboard R&B chart and 102 on the Billboard US Hot 100 chart. Im not going to say goodbye but I will say see ya later! Ligon died in December 2016 at the age of 80. Shop the Jonathan DesVerney Gospel Channel store $14.99 Greetings, dear Beliefnet readers! 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. Joe Ligon died in December 2016 at the age of 80. In 1974, The Mighty Clouds of Joy became the first gospel group to appear on the television dance program, Soul Train. (2021, February 8). Read Full Biography. Timeless Gospel Classics Vol. [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. For more informaiton, visit the Mighty Clouds of Joy website. Jones, Kim. 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. 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." 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. Franklin, Willie Joe Ligon, Richard Wallace and Johnny Martin were the four founding members of the Mighty Clouds of Joy. The . 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 quartet later changed its name to the Stars of Bethlehem and cut an album for Ensign Records in 1960. 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 Gospel music authorities Rev. @rustychalfont Based in Los Angeles, California, the original group members include Joe Ligon (d. 2016), Johnny Martin (d. 1987), Ermant Franklin Jr., Artis . https://www.learnreligions.com/mighty-clouds-of-joy-biography-710696 (accessed March 4, 2023). A small donation would help us keep this available to all. Their debut LP, Family Circle, arrived a year later. He will be deeply missed by all of us. Your donation is fully tax-deductible. 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. 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! Ligon died Sunday in Georgia, his manager, Isaac Lindsey, said. As the years advanced, Ligon took a more supportive singing role, with lead vocals performed by ex-Gospel Keynotes vocalist Paul Beasley. By 1960, they had a major Gospel record deal with a hit single and album flying up the charts. The Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1961 and started out in a tradition-based style. 2011. Also performed as: The Mighty Mighty Clouds of Joy, Joe Ligon & the Mighty Clouds of Joy. Mighty Clouds Of Joy. May he forever Rest In Paradise.. Verdie Maynus Billboard is a part of Penske Media Corporation. My condolences to his family and many friends. The mighty clouds has always been one if my favorite Quartets. by Dixie Hummingbirds Audio CD. This will go to the welfare of his children. My Dad and my sisters sung gospil and this gave me a unique opportunity to meet many of icons gospil. The Mighty Clouds of Joy have been awarded numerous accolades including eightGrammy nominations and three awards. Their crossover success brought them added recognition, and they opened for the Rolling Stones, Paul Simon and Aretha Franklin. We love you! Although I was in the church I was not living saved, but then God saved me. 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. 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. Best of the Mighty Clouds of Joy. 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). Here is another blog you may also enjoy: Idol Chatter Happy Reading! A new version of Last.fm is available, to keep everything running smoothly, please reload the site. 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 . Connect your Spotify account to your Last.fm account and scrobble everything you listen to, from any Spotify app on any device or platform. The Mighty Clouds of Joy went on to win GRAMMY Awards and become one of the top quartets of the 1960s and 1970s. 2023 Billboard Media, LLC. There, he attended Jefferson High School. Franklin, Willie Joe Ligon, Richard Wallace and Johnny Martin were the four founding members of the Mighty Clouds of Joy. The Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1955 in Los Angeles, California. 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. View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro . Nicest conceit: how hard it is to be soft in a 'Stoned World. According to essays by Opal Nations, Richard Edward Wallace was born June 9, 1940, in Austin, Texas. 2014. 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.". He was 80. The Best of The Dixie Hummingbirds. Their moves earned them "The Temptations of Gospel" moniker. When the Peacock Records label heard these tapes, the group was quickly signed to a recording contract. 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. Aliases The Mighty Clouds of Joy Country United States Comments Gospel vocal group formed in 1955 in Los Angeles by Joe Ligon and Richard Wallace. Thank you, Debra they are singing in glory, indeed! Menu. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 3x Grammy Award-Winning gospel group ft. Ron Staples, Johnny Valentine, Dale Staples, Tim Woodson & Derrick Staples -. Michael Cook died in 2009 at the age of 46 after suffering a massive coronary. Let it play in the background as you study and immerse yourself in this topic! See original listing. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/mighty-clouds-of-joy-biography-710696. Ligon was born in Troy, Alabama, but moved to Los Angeles and started the gospel quartet in the 1950s. Successful gospel group who fused the traditional quartet style with modern, R&B-influenced musical arrangements. Mighty Clouds of Joy is an American traditional gospel music quartet. Im saddened to hear of the passing of Richard Wallace. This was when they came to South Carolina. 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. Gospel singers dont retire, you know, they just die doing what they do, he said. Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States. McArthur Pettiford, and Stacey Pettiford; all of whom are renowned . 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. 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 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. I would like to offer my condolences to the family. Speed: 45 RPM. 69 on Billboard Hot 100. The original group members included: David Walker; Ligon; Leon Polk; Richard Wallace; Elmo Franklin; Artis Turnbough; Ermant Franklin Jr.; Johnny Martin. He loved everyone. Richard and the Clouds were truly a group of great guys who I counted as really good friends. Learn Religions, Feb. 8, 2021, learnreligions.com/mighty-clouds-of-joy-biography-710696. Reid Temple AME Church This item: Classic 3. by The Mighty Clouds of Joy Audio CD. It was their first crossover success. sending my condolences . Successful gospel group who fused the traditional quartet style with modern, R&B-influenced musical arrangements. The original members were Walter Ligon, Johnny Martin, Richard Wallace and Elmer Franklin. 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 Bob Marovich is a gospel music historian, author, and radio host. 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.". We were one of the first groups to do contemporary gospel, Ligon said during a 1993 interview. So sorry to hear of Richards passing. The two started singing together and founded the group, pulling from other popular gospel groups in the area to round out the line-up. It also reached no. "Mighty Clouds of Joy Biography." Thanks for the story. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested for the Michael Cook Trust Fund and can be made at any Bank of America Branch. He was 46. 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. The Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1955 in Los Angeles, California. 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. 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. 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. The group was influenced by The Temptations, an American vocal group that released four Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles. Steal Away to Jesus was their first recording in 1960, with their first album debuting in 1961 on Peacock Records. Their first recording was Build Me a Cabin in Glory on the Elko label in 1957. 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. 2005. At his uncle's insistence, he agreed to enroll in the local high school. 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. 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 Mighty Clouds of Joy developed a fan base much like the soul Pop and R&B groups. 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.