Their debut LP, Family Circle, arrived a year later. 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. I would like to offer my condolences to the family. @rustychalfont Based in Los Angeles, California, the original group members include Joe Ligon (d. 2016), Johnny Martin (d. 1987), Ermant Franklin Jr., Artis . 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.. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. By 1960, they had a major Gospel record deal with a hit single and album flying up the charts. Rest with the almighty my friend! Ligon died Sunday in Georgia, his manager, Isaac Lindsey, said. At his uncle's insistence, he agreed to enroll in the local high school. Shortly thereafter, the quartet signed a long-term contract with Peacock Records, leaving one Mighty off their name. I meet all the Mighty Clouds, personally on multiple occasions as a child in the 60s and 70s. His manager, Isaac Lindsey, said Monday that Ligon died on Sunday in Georgia. Mighty Clouds of Joy became the first gospel act to ever appear on "Soul Train," which earned them criticism among traditional gospel music fans. 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). 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. When I first heard his voice I thought theRev CL Franklin had joined a Quartet Group their voices were so close. 2002. 2023 Billboard Media, LLC. Ligon died in December 2016 at the age of 80. See original listing. 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 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. 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. Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. 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. His grandfather was a preacher, while his father sang in a gospel quartet. Singer Joe Ligon, the dynamic frontman of the Grammy-winning gospel group Mighty Clouds of Joy, has died. And we got stoned for it, Ligon told The Associated Press in a 1993 interview. JGM extends its sympathies to the family, friends, and many fans of the late Richard Wallace. 3x Grammy Award-Winning gospel group ft. Ron Staples, Johnny Valentine, Dale Staples, Tim Woodson & Derrick Staples -. The Mighty Clouds of Joy went on to win GRAMMY Awards and become one of the top quartets of the 1960s and 1970s. Rest easy mr. wallace. He was born on October 11, 1936, in Troy, Alabama, USA, as Willie Joe Ligon. Thanks for the update.. Thus not realizing they were setting a standard and paving a way for future gospel soul groups for decades to come. Glenn Dale, MD 20769 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. He was 80. The original group members included: David Walker; Ligon; Leon Polk; Richard Wallace; Elmo Franklin; Artis Turnbough; Ermant Franklin Jr.; Johnny Martin. $3.98. Do you find this information helpful? It was there that he met Johnny Martin in school. May he forever Rest In Paradise.. Verdie Maynus $11.99. Mighty Clouds Of Joy. The quartet later changed its name to the Stars of Bethlehem and cut an album for Ensign Records in 1960. Also performed as: The Mighty Mighty Clouds of Joy, Joe Ligon & the Mighty Clouds of Joy. I am so shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Richard Wallace. Let it play in the background as you study and immerse yourself in this topic! 32 on the Billboard R&B chart and 102 on the Billboard US Hot 100 chart. View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro . Their crossover success continued with opening slots for secular pop stars including Marvin Gaye, the Rolling Stones, and Paul Simon, whom the group backed during a monthlong stint at Madison Square Garden. Read Full Biography. He will be surely missed. 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. For more informaiton, visit the Mighty Clouds of Joy website. Attendees will also be treated to a short documentary titled, A Living Legacy, by David Ramsey, Rev. Founder of Journal of Gospel Music blog (formally The Black Gospel Blog) and producer of the Gospel Memories Radio Show. As the years advanced, Ligon took a more supportive singing role, with lead vocals performed by ex-Gospel Keynotes vocalist Paul Beasley. Bass guitarist Richard Wallace, the last original member, and Leader of the group, diedon Monday, July 27, 2020, in Tyler, Texas. Mighty Clouds of Joy is an American traditional gospel music quartet. Other Works | Publicity Listings | Official Sites. Their first recording was Build Me a Cabin in Glory on the Elko label in 1957. He inspired so many gospel groups. Your donation is fully tax-deductible. They sang their original composition, Time from their album Its Time which peaked at no. 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. 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. Hes some were around God Throne. 2014. https://www.learnreligions.com/mighty-clouds-of-joy-biography-710696 (accessed March 4, 2023). . Jones, Kim. We were one of the first groups to do contemporary gospel, Ligon said during a 1993 interview. The group's first break came when they caught the ear of a local gospel disc jockey, who agreed to produce several demo tapes. 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 groups signature songs included Walk Around Heaven, Nearer My God to Thee, and Ive Been in the Storm Too Long. See also. '"[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. Unlike other gospel groups, its members dressed stylishly they used the same tailor as the Temptations and worked slick choreography into their act. This will go to the welfare of his children. I grew up listening to the Mighty Clouds of Joy, I even had my own little group at 13 signing their songs. The Mighty Clouds of Joy signed a deal with Peacock Records gospel label. The . 23 talking about this. Singing for God on the stage but not living for Him after I left the stage. He was 80. Thank you, Debra they are singing in glory, indeed! 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. Thursday, July 24th 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." Their first single, "Steal Away to Jesus," was recorded in 1960. Richard Wallace was such a cool and soft spoken, and nice man that was very approacable. 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. I was always a die hard quartet fan HE WILL BE SURELY BE MISSED. We dont have any upcoming events for this artist right now. Please enjoy the archives. Joe Ligon (born Willie Joe Ligon in Troy, Alabama on October 11, 1936) died on December 11, 2016, at age 80. (2021, February 8). 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. The Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1955 in Los Angeles, California. . The Mighty Clouds of Joy used declamations of traditional African American ministers and were one of the earliest groups to use an electrified rhythm section to enhance classic Gospel vocals. 20072023 Blackpast.org. The Mighty Clouds of Joy formed in 1955 in Los Angeles and still includes two of its original members, Joe Ligon and Richard Wallace. Jones, Kim. Their first recording was "Build Me a Cabin in Glory" on the Elko label in 1957. The singer once said: Gospel singers dont retire, you know, they just die doing what they do., My prayers go out to Joes family, friends, loved ones, and fans, said gospel singer BeBe Winans. Scrobbling is when Last.fm tracks the music you listen to and automatically adds it to your music profile. $16.99. 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. In 1977, the band released two albums, Live and Direct and The Truth Is the Power.. Gods Grace and Mercy will carry you thru, To God be the glory. We are so sorry and sadden to hear about Richard Wallace passing. A native of Troy, Alabama, Ligon was blessed with natural singing talent. Traveling to California to visit an uncle, at the age of 14 Ligon remained in the city for a year. The Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1959 in Los Angeles, CA as a traditional-based style group. 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. Thank you for visitingGospel Soundcheckpage. Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1954 and started out in a tradition-based style. We lost another legend. He was 65; Elmeo Franklin died on May 7, 2008, in Los Angeles at the age of 71; Willie Joe Ligon died on December 11, 2016, in Los Angeles. Zelenskyy on Anniversary of Russian War. 12/13/2016. 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.