This article needs additional citations for verification .(May 2018) |
Mighty Clouds of Joy | |
---|---|
Origin | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
Genres | Traditional gospel, disco |
Years active | 1961–2012 |
Labels | Light, Peacock, Epic, ABC, Word, Myrrh, Intersound, EMI Gospel, CBS, Dunhill/ABC, MCG |
Past members | Joe Ligon (deceased) Richard Wallace (deceased) Johnny Martin (deceased) Elmeo Franklin (deceased) Ermant Franklin (deceased) Paul Beasley(deceased) Michael Cook (deceased) Clayton Hammond Jr. (deceased) Dwight Gordon Terry Fuller Michael McCowin Leon Polk Hamp Carlton Artis Turnbough (deceased) Alphonso McClain Eddie "Spanky" Alford Lamanuel Boykin Charles McElveen Ron Staples Johnny Valentine Ervin Williams Ronald Clark Sr Kevin Wilson Sr[ not verified in body ] |
The Mighty Clouds of Joy were an American traditional gospel music quartet.
The Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1959 in Los Angeles as a tradition-based style 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. In a break with tradition, the groups sound incorporated Soul, R&B, and Rock; all of which flourishes in their musical mix (one of their early hits was produced by Gamble and Huff) without diluting the religious essence of their material. Unlike other gospel groups, its members dressed stylishly — they used the same tailor as the Temptations — and worked slick choreography into their act Thus, not realizing they were setting a standard and paving a way for future gospel soul groups for decades to come, they became one of the most influential gospel groups in the US. 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.
The Mighty Clouds of Joy developed a fan base much like the soul Pop and R&B groups. Their pictures are even on display in the Apollo Theater.
Based in Los Angeles, 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).
Joe Ligon (born Willie Joe Ligon in Troy, Alabama on October 11, 1936) died on December 11, 2016, at age 80. [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 transfigurations — that old Wilson Pickett (and Julius Cheeks) unhh born again — aren't the only reason this is one of the best LPs ever to come out of Philadelphia. For once, the songs — many of them from producer Dave Crawford, whose spirit must have been moved — include virtually no filler, not even (especially not even) the one that takes off from the group's name. Nicest conceit: how hard it is to be soft in a 'Stoned World.'" [2]
Andrew Dewey Kirk was an American jazz bandleader and saxophonist who led the Twelve Clouds of Joy, a band popular during the swing era.
ABC Records was an American record label founded in New York City in 1955. It originated as the main popular music label operated by the Am-Par Record Corporation. Am-Par also created the Impulse! jazz label in 1960. It acquired many labels before ABC was sold to MCA Records in 1979. ABC produced music in a variety of genres: pop, rock, jazz, country, rhythm and blues, soundtrack, gospel, and polka. In addition to producing records, ABC licensed masters from independent record producers, and purchased regionally released records for national distribution.
Peacock Records was an American record label, founded in 1949 by Don Robey in Houston, Texas, United States.
Word Records is a Christian faith-based entertainment company based in Nashville, Tennessee. It is owned by Curb Records, and is a part of Word Entertainment. It is distributed by Warner Records.
The Persuasions were an American a cappella group that formed in Brooklyn, New York in 1962, singing under corner streetlights and in subway corridors. Their style combined gospel, soul, early rock, and jazz into melodic five-part harmonies. Since being discovered by Frank Zappa, the Persuasions have released 23 studio albums to date.
Tramaine Aunzola Richardson, known professionally as Tramaine Hawkins, is an American award-winning Gospel singer whose career spans over five decades. Since beginning her career in 1966, Hawkins has won two Grammy Awards, two Doves, and 19 Stellar Awards.
Russell Taff is an American gospel singer and songwriter who grew up in Farmersville, California. He has sung a variety of musical styles throughout his career including: pop rock, traditional Southern gospel, contemporary country music, and rhythm and blues. He first gained recognition as lead vocalist for the Imperials (1976–81). One of his best-known performances is the song "Praise the Lord". He has also been a member of the Gaither Vocal Band, and occasionally tours with Bill Gaither in the Gaither Homecoming concerts. As a solo artist and songwriter, Taff is known for the 1980s anthem "We Will Stand". Taff has received various Dove and Grammy awards either as a solo artist or part of a larger musical group, most notably the Imperials.
Benjamin "BeBe" Winans is an American gospel and R&B singer from Detroit, Michigan. He is a member of the noted Winans family, most members of which are also gospel artists. Winans has released nine albums, seven with his sister CeCe as BeBe & CeCe Winans and one with three Winans brothers.
Abraham Laboriel López is a Mexican-American bassist who has played on over 4,000 recordings and soundtracks. Guitar Player magazine called him "the most widely used session bassist of our time". Laboriel is the father of drummer Abe Laboriel Jr. and of producer, songwriter, and film composer Mateo Laboriel.
Vickie Winans is an American gospel singer.
Ora D. Allen, known by the stage name Denise LaSalle, was an American blues, R&B and soul singer, songwriter, and record producer who, since the death of Koko Taylor, had been recognized as the "Queen of the Blues". Her husband was rapper Super Wolf.
Chalmers Edward "Spanky" Alford was an American gospel, jazz, and neo-soul guitarist. Alford was born in Philadelphia. He was well known for his playing style, utilizing chord embellishments. He had an illustrious career as a gospel quartet guitar player in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s with groups such as the Mighty Clouds of Joy. His most notable contributions are to the D'Angelo album Voodoo, and his contributions to music from other popular artists including Tupac Shakur, Roy Hargrove, and The Roots.
This is the discography of gospel artist Vickie Winans.
One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism is a 1987 gospel album recorded by Aretha Franklin, for Arista Records. Recorded at New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan, over the course of three nights, One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism became an album that combined the gospel talents of Aretha, her sisters Erma and Carolyn, and fellow gospel singer Mavis Staples.
Lee Williams and The Spiritual QC's was an American quartet gospel group originating from Tupelo, Mississippi, which has been in existence since 1968. The group started recording around 1970. The gospel quartet included Lee Williams as lead singer, Al Hollis as guitarist and background vocal, Patrick Hollis as background singer, Leonard Shumpert as second lead vocalist, and new full-time bassist Tommie Harris. Lee Williams was the co-lead singer along with Willie Ligon.
David Walker, better known by his stage name Bunker Hill, was an American rhythm & blues, rock and gospel singer.
The Supreme Angels was an American traditional black gospel music group from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. The Supreme Angels were formed in 1953 by several young ministers. In the 1960s Reverend Howard "Slim" Hunt of Walnut Grove, Mississippi, joined the group as the guitarist. Having been called to further their ministry, the ministers left the group to pastor various churches. Rev. Hunt decided to continue on as the now the lead singer of the group, changing the name of the group in later years to Slim & the Supreme Angels. As personnel changes continued throughout the years, Robert "Sugar" Hightower, of DeLand, Florida formerly of The Hightower Brothers and Mighty Clouds of Joy became the group guitarist and vocalist. The remaining group members of The Supreme Angels were Quincy King on vocals, Larry Young on vocals and keys, Michael Kimpson performing on vocals and bass, and Maurice Robinson on drums and vocals. They released seventeen albums over the span of 51 years, and the imprints they utilized were the following: Melendo Records, Nashboro Records, Black Label Records, Intersound Records, MCG Records, Gospel Jubilee, Malaco Records, and Grammercy Records. The group got three albums to place on the Billboard magazine Gospel Albums chart, and those were 1989's Death and the Beautiful Lady, 1995's Stay under the Blood, and 1996's Nobody but You.
Kenneth S. Greenberg is an American guitarist, songwriter, producer, and session musician. He is known for bringing a rock-and-roll sensibility to Nashville recording sessions.
Paul William Leim is an American drummer and recording session musician based in Nashville.
Willie Joe Ligon, known professionally as Joe Ligon, was an American gospel singer. He was associated with Mighty Clouds of Joy.