Mighty Clouds of Joy
Mighty Clouds of Joy | |
---|---|
Origin | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
Genres | Traditional gospel, disco |
Years active | 1960–present |
Labels | Light, Peacock, Epic, ABC, Word, Myrrh, Intersound, EMI Gospel, CBS, Dunhill/ABC, MCG |
Website | Official website |
Members |
Joe Ligon Richard Wallace Michael McCowin Wilbert Williams Johnny Valentine Ron Staples Ronald Clark Ulysses McKiver IV |
Past members |
Artis Turnbough Paul Beasley Elmeo Franklin Dwight Gordon Johnny Martin Michael Cook Ermant Franklin Leon Polk Hamp Carlton Tony Jeter |
The Mighty Clouds of Joy is an American traditional gospel music quartet.
Career
The Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1960 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, Jimmy Jones (out of Tyler, Texas) Johnny Martin (died 1987), Ermant Franklin Jr., Artis Turnbough (d. 1999), Elmo Franklin (d. 2008), Richard Wallace, Rodney Hamilton, Leon Polk and David Walker (who also recorded several tracks with Link Wray under the name Bunker Hill).
Discography
- This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
Albums
- 1960: "Steal Away To Jesus" (Peacock Records) 45 single
- 1964: Family Circle (Peacock)PLP 114
- 1965: A Bright Side (Peacock)PLP 121
- 196?: Live At Music Hall(Peacock) PLP 134
- 1966: Presenting The Untouchable (Peacock) PLP 151
- 1972: "Mighty Clouds Of Joy Live (At The Apollo)
- 1973: The Best Of The Mighty Clouds Of Joy (Peacock/ABC) (Reissue-MCA)
- 1974: It's Time (Dunhill/ABC)
- 1975: Kickin (ABC)
- 1977: The Truth Is The Power (ABC) (Reissue-Myrrh)
- 1977: Live And Direct (ABC)
- 1978: The Very Best Of The Mighty Clouds Of Joy (ABC)
- 1979: Changing Times (Epic/CBS)
- 1980: Cloudburst (Myrrh/CBS)
- 1982: Request Line (Myrrh/Word)
- 1983: Sing and Shout (Myrrh/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)
- 2002: 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of the Mighty Clouds of Joy (MCA/Peacock)
- 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)
Charted singles
- 1975: "Amazing Grace" US#3 R&B#4 UK#15 US Hot Dance Club Play #2
- 1976: "Mighty High"; US Hot Dance Club Play #1
External links
- Mighty Clouds of Joy at AllMusic
- The Mighty Clouds of Joy official website
- An interview with Joe Ligon at Soul Express in July 2013
- Peacock Album Discography by David Edwards and Mike Callahan