Mighty Clouds of Joy

Mighty Clouds of Joy
Origin Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres Traditional gospel, disco
Years active 1961–present
Labels Light, Peacock, Epic, ABC, Word, Myrrh, Intersound, EMI Gospel, CBS, Dunhill/ABC, MCG
Website www.themightycloudsofjoy.org
Members Ron Staples
Johnny Valentine
Ervin Williams
Past members Joe Ligon (deceased)
Paul Beasley
Elmo Franklin (deceased)
Johnny Martin (deceased)
Michael Cook
Terry Fuller
Michael McCowin
Ermant Franklin
Leon Polk
Hamp Carlton
Artis Turnbough (deceased)
Eddie "Spanky" Alford
Lamanuel Boykin

The Mighty Clouds of Joy are an American traditional gospel music quartet.

Career

The Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1961 and started out in a tradition-based style. 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. 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.

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).

Joe Ligon (born Willie Joe Ligon in Troy, Alabama on October 11, 1936) died on December 11, 2016, at age 80.[1]

Discography

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Albums

  • 1960: "Steal Away To Jesus" (Peacock Records) 45 single
  • 1964: Family Circle (Peacock) PLP 114
  • 1965: A Bright Side (Peacock) PLP 121
  • 1966: Live At Music Hall (Peacock) PLP 134
  • 1966: Presenting The Untouchable (Peacock) PLP 151
  • 1972: Mighty Clouds Of Joy Live (At The Apollo)
  • 1974: It's Time (Dunhill/ABC)
  • 1975: Kickin (ABC)
  • 1977: The Truth Is The Power (ABC) (Reissue-Myrrh)
  • 1977: Live And Direct (ABC)
  • 1979: Changing Times (Epic/CBS)
  • 1980: Cloudburst (Myrrh/CBS)
  • 1983: Sing and Shout (Myrrh/Word)
  • 1987: Catching On (Word)
  • 1989: Night Song (Word)
  • 1990: Pray For Me (Live) (Word)
  • 1995: Power (Intersound)
  • 1996: Live In Charleston (Live) (Intersound)
  • 1999: It was You (Light Records)
  • 2002: I Want to Thank You (EMI Gospel)
  • 2005: In The House Of The Lord: Live In Houston (EMI Gospel)
  • 2007: Movin (EMI Gospel)
  • 2010: At The Revival (EMI Gospel)
  • 2011: 50 Year Celebration (EMI Gospel)
  • 2013: All That I Am Chapter 1 (MCG Records)
  • 2014: Down Memory Lane: Chapter 2 (MCG Records)
  • 2016: "Rebirth" (Asah Entertainment)

Compilation albums

  • 1973: The Best Of The Mighty Clouds Of Joy (Peacock/ABC) (Reissue-MCA)
  • 1978: The Very Best Of The Mighty Clouds Of Joy (ABC)
  • 1982: Request Line (Myrrh/Word)
  • 1994: Faith, Mercy, Glory (King)
  • 2002: 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of the Mighty Clouds of Joy (MCA/Peacock)

Charted singles

  • 1975: "Amazing Grace"; R&B#4 UK#15 US Hot Dance Club Play No. 2
  • 1976: "Mighty High"; US#69 US Hot Dance Club Play No. 1

References

  1. ↑ Willie Joe Ligon of Beaumont, Texas | 1936 - 2016 | Obituary accessdate December 14, 2017
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