Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. However at a little [], Davy Jones dies and I say goodbye to my childhood. Rest with the almighty my friend! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. 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 Glenn Dale, MD 20769 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. Let it play in the background as you study and immerse yourself in this topic! Javascript is required to view shouts on this page. The Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in LA in 1959. So inspirational and touched by so many hearts. The Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1955 in Los Angeles, California. Mighty Clouds of Joy is an American traditional gospel music quartet. Material . Ligon told the AP that at the age of 56 he could hit every note that he could at the age of 18. The group was influenced by The Temptations, an American vocal group that released four Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles. Thursday, July 24th Biography. 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. The single Mighty Clouds of Joy from that same album reached no. 1 on the Disco/Dance chart and remained charted for five weeks. His manager, Isaac Lindsey, said Monday that Ligon died on Sunday in Georgia. He added: And we got stoned for it.. See original listing. 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. 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.". 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 quartet later changed its name to the Stars of Bethlehem and cut an album for Ensign Records in 1960. RIH, Sir! The Mighty Clouds of Joy went on to win GRAMMY Awards and become one of the top quartets of the 1960s and 1970s. Joe Ligon died in December 2016 at the age of 80. 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. 2023 Billboard Media, LLC. 2014. Friday, July 25th McArthur Pettiford, and Stacey Pettiford; all of whom are renowned . Artist descriptions on Last.fm are editable by everyone. They can even be found on display in the Apollo Theater. It also reached no. 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. There, he attended Jefferson High School. Greetings, dear Beliefnet readers! The Clouds were the first Gospel group to perform on Soul Train. Theyve won multiple Grammys, and opened for the likes of Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Earth, Wind & Fire, the Rolling Stones and Paul Simon, whom they backed for a month at New Yorks Madison Square Garden. $11.99. Richard and the Clouds were truly a group of great guys who I counted as really good friends. A new version of Last.fm is available, to keep everything running smoothly, please reload the site. 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. Shop the Jonathan DesVerney Gospel Channel store $14.99 Cards can be sent to Valerie Cook, PO Box 273, Jessup, MD 20794. @rustychalfont Based in Los Angeles, California, the original group members include Joe Ligon (d. 2016), Johnny Martin (d. 1987), Ermant Franklin Jr., Artis . This was when they came to South Carolina. The original members of the band include Johnny Martin, Elmo and Ermant Franklin, Leon Polk and Richard Wallace. 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 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. . Hes some were around God Throne. The Mighty Clouds of Joy have shared the stage with Paul Simon, Aretha Franklin, andThe Rolling Stones. He was indeed an inspirational singer, guitar player and a gentleman. In 1974, The Mighty Clouds of Joy became the first gospel group to appear on the television dance program, Soul Train. https://www.learnreligions.com/mighty-clouds-of-joy-biography-710696 (accessed March 4, 2023). Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1954 and started out in a tradition-based style. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/mighty-clouds-of-joy-biography-710696. It was their first crossover success. 23 talking about this. He loved everyone. The Mighty Clouds of Joy have been awarded numerous accolades including eightGrammy nominations and three awards. 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. Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States. Im so sorry.my condolences to his famiky and friends. Cook has been a member of the group for more than 20 years. 32 on the Billboard R&B chart and 102 on the Billboard US Hot 100 chart. 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. The Mighty Clouds of Joy was one of the first groups in urban gospel to incorporate choreographed moves into their act. 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. 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. Attendees will also be treated to a short documentary titled, A Living Legacy, by David Ramsey, Rev. 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.". The Mighty Clouds of Joy. Jones, Kim. The two started singing together and founded the group, pulling from other popular gospel groups in the area to round out the line-up. He will be surely missed. Younger fans loved it while older, more traditional fans did not. 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). 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 funeral service will be: Cook has been a member of the group for more than 20 years. Ligon died Sunday in Georgia, his manager, Isaac Lindsey, said. My condolences to his family and many friends. 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 was 80. Singer Joe Ligon, the dynamic frontman of the Grammy-winning gospel group Mighty Clouds of Joy, has died. The other original members of the group were Johnny Martin, Elmo Franklin, Leon Polk and David Walker (aka Bunker Hill). Want to know what everyone in the music business is talking about. Reid Temple AME Church 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. Here is another blog you may also enjoy: Idol Chatter Happy Reading! 12/13/2016. To God be the glory for giving the talents to these men to lift their voices in praise. The Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1959 in Los Angeles, CA as a traditional-based style group. At his uncle's insistence, he agreed to enroll in the local high school. He was 80. As the years advanced, Ligon took a more supportive singing role, with lead vocals performed by ex-Gospel Keynotes vocalist Paul Beasley. He was a people person. God bless his family! [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. This blog is no longer being updated. '"[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. THE MIGHTY CLOUDS WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!! $16.99. Also performed as: The Mighty Mighty Clouds of Joy, Joe Ligon & the Mighty Clouds of Joy. Feel free to contribute! Traveling to California to visit an uncle, at the age of 14 Ligon remained in the city for a year. And we got stoned for it, Ligon told The Associated Press in a 1993 interview. I meet all the Mighty Clouds, personally on multiple occasions as a child in the 60s and 70s. Learn Religions. What was the name of your family group? 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. A Michael Cook Tribute will be held: 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. Therefore, at the time of his death, gospel singer Joe Ligon had an estimated net worth of $3 million. We were one of the first groups to do contemporary gospel. The Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1955 in Los Angeles, California. 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of the Mighty Clouds of Joy. His manager, Isaac Lindsey, said Monday that Ligon died on Sunday . According to to a news release provided by gospel music industry publicist Bill. Founding ensemble member Johnny Martin died on February 12, 1987, in Los Angeles at the age of 46. Franklin, Willie Joe Ligon, Richard Wallace and Johnny Martin were the four founding members of the Mighty Clouds of Joy. JGM extends its sympathies to the family, friends, and many fans of the late Richard Wallace. In 1964, The Mighty Clouds of Joy released their debut album, called Family Circle via Peacock Records. 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. 4. by Five Blind Boys Of Alabama Audio CD. Thank you, Debra they are singing in glory, indeed! Shouting, troubles over. Their crossover success brought them added recognition, and they opened for the Rolling Stones, Paul Simon and Aretha Franklin. The resulting sound turned the Mighty Clouds of Joy into the most commercially successful gospel group. 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 throughout the rest of the 20th century, scoring numerous Grammy Awards and nominations, as well as several hit albums along the way. Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox, A daily briefing on what matters in the music industry. 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. 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 developed a fan base much like the soul Pop and R&B groups. 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. He was 80. 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. The following year, 1958, they produced In Lord, You Woke Me Up This Morning on the Proverb label. The Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1961 and started out in a tradition-based style. 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. In 1977, the band released two albums, Live and Direct and The Truth Is the Power.. 1990. View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro . He was 80. All Rights Reserved. 9:00 AM 11:00 AM viewing, 11:00 AM 2:00 PM service Steal Away to Jesus was their first recording in 1960, with their first album debuting in 1961 on Peacock Records. Please enjoy the archives. Fly high above the clouds another ?.gone so soon. 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. The Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in LA in 1959. Mr. Wallace was the creator of one of Gospel Quartet Musics iconic bass lines. Their moves earned them "The Temptations of Gospel" moniker. Forego a bottle of soda and donate its cost to us for the information you just learned, and feel good about helping to make it available to everyone. December 20, 2020 at 12:16 a.m. It appears to have started with a fake blog post reporting that Bon Jovi suffered cardiac arrest. According to essays by Opal Nations, Richard Edward Wallace was born June 9, 1940, in Austin, Texas. We lost another legend. Billboard is a part of Penske Media Corporation. 2005. Other Works | Publicity Listings | Official Sites. They were influenced by R&B groups such as The Temptations, as well as the Rev. 22 on the Billboard Soul Music chart and peaked at no. 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! All That I Am: Chapter 1. I would like to offer my condolences to the family. 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: Best of The Mighty Clouds Of Joy, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Go directly to shout page. The groups signature songs included Walk Around Heaven, Nearer My God to Thee, and Ive Been in the Storm Too Long. 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. Joe Ligon (born Willie Joe Ligon in Troy, Alabama on October 11, 1936) died on December 11, 2016, at age 80. 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 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. Connect your Spotify account to your Last.fm account and scrobble everything you listen to, from any Spotify app on any device or platform. 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 . At age 14, Ligon moved to LA to live with his uncle. 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. 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. Ligon had eight daughters, named: Ericka, La Tonya, Dawn, La Tisha, Patricia, Adrenia, Clarice, and Debra. Invited to join a vocal group formed by his cousins, he was persuaded by his mother to accept the invitation. Format: Record. I always remembered him from way back when I was a child. More By The Mighty Clouds of Joy Pray for Me. Kim Jones is an ordained pastor and a co-founder of Road to Revelation, a Christian rock band. Your donation is fully tax-deductible. 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. What I mean be that he gave me his Holy Ghost, the peace within to know that He is the reason I even exist.. His grandfather was a preacher, while his father sang in a gospel quartet. 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 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. We dont have any upcoming events for this artist right now. For more informaiton, visit the Mighty Clouds of Joy website. Mighty Clouds of Joy is an American traditional gospel music quartet. The original members were Walter Ligon, Johnny Martin, Richard Wallace and Elmer Franklin. Reviews of gospel DVDs, often in conjunction with the audio CD. Im saddened to hear of the passing of Richard Wallace. Thus not realizing they were setting a standard and paving a way for future gospel soul groups for decades to come. Trivia (1) Members have included Joe Ligon, Richard Wallace, Johnny Valentine, Ron Staples, Tim Woodson, Johnny Martin, June Richmond. He inspired so many gospel groups. Unlike other gospel groups, its members dressed stylishly they used the same tailor as the Temptations and worked slick choreography into their act. I lived, I call it a sinful life, Wallace said. 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). 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 signed a deal with Peacock Records gospel label. They become the first gospel act to ever appear on Soul Train,which earned them criticism among traditional gospel music fans. He had been a member of the group for 20 years. A WONDERFUL INDIVIDUAL THAT PERFORMED FOR SO MANY. Successful gospel group who fused the traditional quartet style with modern, R&B-influenced musical arrangements. Connect your Spotify account to your Last.fm account and scrobble everything you listen to, from any Spotify app on any device or platform. 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. Release Calendar Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Browse Movies by Genre Top Box Office Showtimes & Tickets Movie News India Movie Spotlight. 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 Before his passing My group was privileged to have recorded a song with him that I will hold dear to my heart till that day I see him again in Glory. The Mighty Clouds of Joy formed in 1955 in Los Angeles and still includes two of its original members, Joe Ligon and Richard Wallace. Richard Wallace was such a cool and soft spoken, and nice man that was very approacable. He was born on October 11, 1936, in Troy, Alabama, USA, as Willie Joe Ligon. 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. When I first heard his voice I thought theRev CL Franklin had joined a Quartet Group their voices were so close. 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. Over the years, however, he took that style to a new level. sending my condolences Although I was in the church I was not living saved, but then God saved me. 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. The Mighty Clouds of Joy formed in 1955 in Los Angeles and still includes two of its original members, Joe Ligon and Richard Wallace. Im not going to say goodbye but I will say see ya later! Learn Religions, Feb. 8, 2021, learnreligions.com/mighty-clouds-of-joy-biography-710696. Content on this site does not reflect an endorsement or recommendation of any artist or music by the Recording Academy and its Affiliates. They became one of the most influential gospel groups in the US. I am so shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Richard Wallace. 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! 11400 Glenn Dale Boulevard Timeless Gospel Classics Vol. The original members were Walter Ligon, Johnny Martin, Richard Wallace and Elmer Franklin. 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. The following year, the group recorded their debut album, Family Circle. 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). 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 Elmo Franklin died in 2008 at the age of 71. 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. 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.". All Rights Reserved. They sang their original composition, Time from their album Its Time which peaked at no. I grew up with gospel music in my blood and on my mind.. Rest easy mr. wallace. Ligon says, When Mike joined the group, he fit our vocal style like a glove. The X Factor final performances - care to predict a winner. I grew up listening to the Mighty Clouds of Joy, I even had my own little group at 13 signing their songs. Jones, Kim. 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. Singing for God on the stage but not living for Him after I left the stage. . Living Waters Worship Center In 1979, The Mighty Clouds of Joy received a Grammy Award for the album Live and Direct. In the same year, they released the album Changing Times, which also earned them a Grammy Award. Ligon's fiery preaching, inspired by the radio broadcasts of Reverend C.L. I am so y to hear of Richards passing. 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. 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 He is survived by his wife Valerie and three children, ages 8, 11 and 16. Their first single, "Steal Away to Jesus," was recorded in 1960. . 20072023 Blackpast.org. The group was influenced by The Temptations, an American vocal group that released four Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles. This will go to the welfare of his children. Johnny Martin - the founding member died in 1987 at the age of 46.