The Mighty Clouds of Joy perform on Jubilee Showcase in 1968.For a limited time get the JUBILEE SHOWCASE DVD - 20% ($4) off! Franklin, Willie Joe Ligon, Richard Wallace and Johnny Martin were the four founding members of the Mighty Clouds of Joy. by | Jun 30, 2022 | tanner buchanan instagram | jasmine nguyen client relations manager | Jun 30, 2022 | tanner buchanan instagram | jasmine nguyen client relations manager Jones.". Joe Ligon R.I.P.The Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1961 and started out in a tradition-based style. Career. 1952): Virtuoso bassist had long associations with Lou Reed and Bob Weir among dozens of other credits, in addition to a successful solo career. Ligon told the AP that at the age of 56 he could hit every note that he could at the age of 18. Lonnie Mack (b. 12/13/2016. They won back-to-back Grammy Awards in 1978 and 1979 for best soul gospel performance, traditional, and again in 1991 for best traditional soul gospel album. Dan Hicks (b. He also issued several albums, including You Can Dig It! Mighty Clouds of Joy is an American traditional gospel music quartet. Ligon, 80, died Dec. 11, and . 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. Copyright 2022 CelebrityAccess. Many of Gospels all-time great groups, from the Winans to Commissioned, were aided by the barriers broken down by Joe Ligon and the Mighty Clouds in the 1970s, and both Soul and Gospel music have been incredibly influenced and blessed by Joe Ligons pioneering work. He loved everyone. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Singer Joe Ligon, the dynamic frontman of the Grammy-winning gospel group Mighty Clouds of Joy, has died. Ligon was buried in Beaumont because it is his wife's home. Long John Hunter (b. "With the blues, you go down twice, but come up once," Jackson said. Among Mighty Clouds of Joy's most popular songs: "Time," which crossed over to the R&B charts in 1974, and "Mighty High," a 1975 disco hit. mighty clouds of joy member dies. This time heaven wanted a gift. Julius Cheeks, a Los Angeles singer known for his baritone voice and onstage antics. Eddie Harsch (b. All Rights Reserved. Sign in with a password below, or sign in using your email. The Mighty Clouds Of Joy. [1] He became a member of the Mighty Clouds of Joy gospel group, before joining the Santa Monica Soul Seekers as a tenor singer. Maurice White (b. Cecil Campbell aka Prince Buster (b. Learn More{{/message}}, {{#message}}{{{message}}}{{/message}}{{^message}}It appears your submission was successful. Richard Wallace. Take it Down: teen tool to remove negative posts, Houston Reads Day sheds light on literacy crisis, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. And we got stoned for it, Ligon told The Associated Press in a 1993 interview. Show all members. Ligon was born in Troy, Alabama, but moved to Los Angeles and started the gospel quartet in the 1950s. Get top Black headlines in Houston/Texas/America in your inbox Monday-Saturday. James Cleveland, who became known as the "King of Gospel Music." He is survived by his wife Valerie and . (Only until the end of 2022! Please, check your inbox! (Only until the end of 2022! Out of this cultural lineage came Joe Ligon and the Mighty Clouds of Joy.". Clarence Reid aka Blowfly (b. Founded in 1930, the Defender is the leading and most trusted source of Black news and information in the Greater Houston area on multiple platforms: web, social media, print and more. Denise Matthews aka Vanity (b. Ligons death also was confirmed by his former booking agent Ricky DeRae. The original members of the band include Johnny Martin, Elmo and Ermant Franklin, Leon Polk and Richard Wallace. Sharon Jones (b. Even though the server responded OK, it is possible the submission was not processed. Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1954 and started out in a tradition-based style. Among Mighty Clouds of Joy's most popular songs: "Time," which crossed over to the R&B charts in 1974, and "Mighty High," a 1975 disco hit. Songs. Many in the gospel tradition, like Cooke's Soul Stirrers, Lou Rawls and the Pilgrim Travelers, Pop Staples and Mavis Staples and the Staples Singers and the Rev. He was 80. Under Ligons leadership, The Mighty Clouds took Gospel music to a new level of popularity and accessibility, incorporating R&B musical influences and delivering a more contemporary style that allowed the group to reach incredible heights of popularity, while also spreading the Word. [5] His final chart hit: "Steal Away", was issued on the Alarm label of Shreveport, Louisiana in 1976. Pauline Oliveros (b. He was 80. And when times are hard, they'd turn to a sound of hope, like the signature song of the Mighty Clouds of Joy called "I've Been in the Storm Too Long. Taylor was born in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, and moved to California in 1952. Libra is presently working on several scholarly projects about gospel music in the media as well as gospel music in social movements. But Ligon, pronounced Luh-GON, chose to sing for his God and formed the Mighty Clouds of Joy, pursuing a career in singing praise for anyone who'd listen, which resulted in three Grammy Awards and a White House concert when Jimmy Carter was president. - Beckie Sugden, Mac Ayres 1922): A pioneer of jazz harmonica who played with Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans and others, while also recording frequently himself. And we got stoned for it," Ligon told The Associated Press in a 1993 interview. They were influenced by R&B groups like The . The Sensational Wonders (a.k.a. 3x Grammy Award-Winning gospel group ft. Ron Staples, Johnny Valentine, Dale Staples, Tim Woodson & Derrick Staples -. Richard was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, cousin, uncle, mentor, and friend to so many who loved him dearly. Gospel singers dont retire, you know, they just die doing what they do, he said. The Mighty Clouds of Joy who often performed as Joe Ligon & The Mighty Clouds of Joy, was a gospel quartet established in Los Angeles, California in 1955. He did not appear on The Cadets' biggest hit, "Stranded In The Jungle" in 1955; for that session, he was replaced by Prentice Moreland. For those who may ask what they can do to honor Joe, we have a simple request. Singer Joe Ligon, the dynamic frontman of the Grammy-winning gospel group Mighty Clouds of Joy, has died. GMF extends sincere sympathy to the Wallace family and the Clouds during this deeply emotional time. He was 80 . Ligon told the AP that at the age of 56 he could hit every note that he could at the age of 18. [6] He continued to record on his own Solpugids and SPG labels until his death. Following that, Taylor's "Be Ever Wonderful" was sampled by Kendrick Lamar in "DUCKWORTH", from his Pulitzer Prize winning[10][11] 2017, fourth studio album, DAMN. Loved ones honor gospel singer Joe Ligon at Beaumont funeral, Joe Ligon & The Mighty Clouds of Joy website, Pallbearers carry the casket of gospel singer Joe Ligon during his funeral at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Beaumont on Wednesday. Dan Wallach is a reporter with the Beaumont Enterprise. (Mighty) Sensational Clouds Of Joy, Flowers Of Joy, Mighty Clouds, Mighty . "While God gave him an unusual and Godly talent, he gave it back to God and God kept on giving," Jackson said to the full sanctuary. As much as Richard cherished his privacy, he always appreciated the expressions of goodwill from people around the world and from all walks of life. Bright Side. 1 Radio Single, WATCH: MultiTracks.com Black History Month Roundtable. With reporting by The Associated Press. 1958): Rock, funk, soul, R&B dynamo, champion of purple. Please check your inbox for an authentication link. of The Stereotypes, Jonathan Yip "Gospel singers don't retire, you know, they just die doing what they do," he said. Bernie Worrell (b. {{#message}}{{{message}}}{{/message}}{{^message}}Your submission failed. 2023 Defender Network 12401 South Post Oak, Houston, Texas 77045 713-663-6996. As much as Joe cherished his privacy, he always appreciated the expressions of good will from people around the world and from all walks of life. Kirk started his musical career playing with George Morrison's band, but . Our pledge is to elevate solutions, share successes, and amplify the experiences of Black people. [6] He also released three albums on Okeh, Be Ever Wonderful (1963), Blues & Soul (1965) and Ted Taylor's Greatest Hits (1966). His manager, Isaac Lindsey, said Monday that Ligon died on Sunday . - Cils Williams, Coco Montoya Richard Wallace, founding member of the legendary Mighty Clouds of Joy has died, according to a statement released today by Rev. 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. But the Mighty Clouds took their expansive sound to chart on the Pop, Soul and Disco charts. Starting out in a tradition-based style, eventually elements of soul, R&B, and rock were added into their musical mix. They played for President Jimmy Carter and toured extensively overseas. He will be deeply missed by all of us. Photo taken Wednesday 12/28/16 Ryan Pelham/The Enterprise, Gospel singer Luther Barnes, left, arrives for the funeral of gospel singer Joe Ligon at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Beaumont on Wednesday. Dave Swarbrick (b. - Jimmie Allen, Andrew Millsaps The original members ofthe bandinclude Johnny Martin, Elmo and Ermant Franklin, Leon Polk and Richard Wallace. - Marcee Rondan, The Spinners The Head and the Heart / The Head & the Heart, Multi-Instrumentalist and Session Musician David Lindley Dead at 78, LAST DAY! Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. [1] He became a member of the Mighty Clouds of Joy gospel group, before joining the Santa Monica Soul Seekers as a tenor singer. Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. This tradition is where Ligon's talents took root, Jackson said. 1994): Contestant on the sixth season of "The Voice.". ", Sonny James (b. And we got stoned for it, Ligon told The Associated Press in a 1993 interview. They become the first gospel act to ever appear on "Soul Train," which earned them criticism among traditional gospel music fans. We were one of the first groups to do contemporary gospel. 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Honor his example of service, accomplishment and modesty, and the next time you walk outside on a stormy day think of Joe and get comfort in knowing that he is no longer in the storm. He and his brother Lee O'Daniel migrated west to Los Angeles and, in 1956, joined the Stars of Bethel . 1931): Louisiana born blues singer-songwriter and guitarist made his name in Texas starting in the 1950s. They become the first gospel act to ever appear on "Soul Train," which earned them criticism among traditional gospel music fans.