Tribute: Mighty Clouds of Joy - Articles

Tribute: Mighty Clouds of Joy
50 Years on the Gospel Scene

If you think quartet, you'll quickly think of The Mighty Clouds of Joy. How could you not, when the group is still going strong after 50 years? Adept at mixing the

relevant sounds of their contemporary peers with their impeccable traditional stylings, the Clouds remain a mainstay on Gospel's quartet circuit, as well as on the Gospel charts.

Formed in Los Angeles in 1950s by Joe Ligon and Johnny Martin, the group began with members Ermant and Elmo Franklin, Leon Polk and Richard Wallace rounding out their ranks. Their debut single, a cover of the spiritual "Steal Away to Jesus", was issued by the famous Peacock Records label in 1960, with their first LP available one year later — Family Circle.

The Mighty Clouds of Joy

From there, the Clouds polished their act, bringing in costumes, choreography and an irresistable appeal both to the churched and to those outside. Indeed, with comparisons to mainstream groups such as The Temptations, they became a very hard act to follow. As the first quartet to add contemporary instruments (drums, bass, keyboard) to their sound (and engendering some inevitable controversy in doing so), they began their long road to envelope pushing. Perhaps their most famous moment in that regard was when their single "Mighty High" rocketed to stardom on the disco charts in the 1970's, ushering in an era of contemporary Gospel music that reigns to this day.

From their appearances on Soul Train, to being included in tours from everyone from Paul Simon to The Rolling Stones, The Mighty Clouds of Joy always seemed to relish the limelight, yet never truly strayed from their quartet bread and butter bedrock. The group counts Grammy Awards (3) among its many laurels, and has 48 albums (including compilations) under their belt (including 2010's At The Revival on EMI Gospel).

With no signs of slowing down, it's hard for anyone NOT to pay tribute to five decades of consistent Gospel ministry. Congratulations to The Mighty Clouds of Joy.

DISCOGRAPHY:

1960 – Peacock #114 – Family Circle
1961 – Peacock #121 – A Brightside
1965 – Peacock #134 – Live At The Music Hall
1966 – Peacock #136 – The Best Of
1966 – Peacock #151 – Presenting The Untouchable MCOJ
1966 – Peacock #163 – Songs Of Rev. Julius Cheeks
1967 – Peacock #170 – God Bless America
1972 – Peacock #173 – Live At The Apollo
1973 – Peacock #183 – The Best Of Vol. 1
1973 – ABC #59136 – The Best Of Vol. 2
1974 – ABC #50177 – It’s Time – Grammy nominated
1975 – ABC #899 – Kickin’
1977 – ABC #986 – Truth Is The Power – Grammy nominated
1977 – ABC #1083 – Live & Direct – Grammy winner
1979 – Epic #35971 – Changing Times – Grammy winner
1980 – Myrrh #6663 – Cloudburst
1982 – Myrrh #6694 – Miracle Man
1982 – Myrrh #6687 – Mighty Clouds Alive
1983 – Myrrh #6767 – Sing & Shout – Grammy nominated
1987 – Word #8366 – Catching On
1987 – Bright Night – A&M – Japanese import
1989 – Myrrh #6121 – Night Song
1990 – Word #9202 – Pray For Me – Grammy Winner
1990 – Presenting The Mighty Clouds of Joy – MCA – re-issue
1990 – There’s No Friend Like Jesus – MCA
1990 – Live – MCA
1993 – Word #9417 – Memory Lane (Best Of)
1995 – Intersound #9147 – Power – Grammy nominated
1995 – Glad About It – HOB
1996 – Faith, Glory & Mercy – King
1996 – Glory Hallelujah – MCA/UNI
1996 – Intersound #9226 – Live In Charleston – Grammy nominated
1999 – CGI #5936 – It Was You – Grammy nominated
2002 – CGI/Light – I Want To Thank You
2002 – MCA/UNI – 20th Century Masters – Millennium Collection
2004 – I Ain’t Got Long To Stay Here – Liquid 8
2004 – CGI/Light – Super Set (double disc collection)
2005 – Greatest Hits of the Mighty Clouds Of Joy – Light
2005 – Gospel Gold – BCI/Eclipse
2005 – EMI Gospel #74873 – In The House Of The Lord – Live In Houston
2006 – Have A Little Faith – St. Clair
2007 – If Jesus Can’t Fix It (ep) – EMI Gospel
2007 – Forever Gold – St. Clair
2007 – EMI Gospel #67322 – Movin’
2008 – Platinum Praise Collection – Light
2008 – Gospel Legacy – Light
2008 – Definitive Gospel Collection – Word

2010 – EMI Gospel #15649 – At The Revival
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

The #1 selling Gospel quartet of all time
Celebrating 50 years in 2010, the legendary 3 time Grammy winning Clouds have sold over an estimated 3,000,000 units in 6 decades
Inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1999
The first Gospel artist to appear on Soul Train & have performed on Arsenio Hall, the Johnny Cash Show & The Grammy’s among others
Performed or toured w/The Rolling Stones, James Brown, Ray Charles, Paul Simon, Earth, Wind & Fire & Aretha just to mention a few
Performed at the White House, Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall & Apollo Theatre
Latest album produced by R&B sensation Raphael Saadiq & Devante Swing (Jodeci)

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— Tribute by Stan North —