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 . 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. Also performed as: The Mighty Mighty Clouds of Joy, Joe Ligon & the Mighty Clouds of Joy. 2, This page was last edited on 13 February 2023, at 11:29. We dont have any upcoming events for this artist right now. Nicest conceit: how hard it is to be soft in a 'Stoned World. Younger fans loved it while older, more traditional fans did not. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1961 and started out in a tradition-based style. Invited to join a vocal group formed by his cousins, he was persuaded by his mother to accept the invitation. All That I Am: Chapter 1. The X Factor final performances - care to predict a winner. This will go to the welfare of his children. A WONDERFUL INDIVIDUAL THAT PERFORMED FOR SO MANY. Mighty Clouds of Joy Biography. The three finalists Josh Krajcik, Chris Rene, and Melanie Amaro pulled out all of the stops for their final performances. You can read more on my personal blog,Notes From The Funny Farmand follow some fun stuff on my dog Bandits blog. Their first single, "Steal Away to Jesus," was recorded in 1960. Steal Away to Jesus was their first recording in 1960, with their first album debuting in 1961 on Peacock Records. . 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. View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro . He was 80. He inspired so many gospel groups. Joe died on December 11, 2016, at age 80. 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.". Shortly thereafter, the quartet signed a long-term contract with Peacock Records, leaving one Mighty off their name. There, he attended Jefferson High School. 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. Shop the Jonathan DesVerney Gospel Channel store $14.99 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. 23 talking about this. 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 For more information, contact [email protected] or call (773) 576-2378. Traveling to California to visit an uncle, at the age of 14 Ligon remained in the city for a year. Timeless Gospel Classics Vol. According to to a news release provided by gospel music industry publicist Bill. The group was influenced by The Temptations, an American vocal group that released four Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles. Singing for God on the stage but not living for Him after I left the stage. Bob Marovich is a gospel music historian, author, and radio host. 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. Jones, Kim. 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. The Mighty Clouds of Joy formed in 1955 in Los Angeles and still includes two of its original members, Joe Ligon and Richard Wallace. Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1954 and started out in a tradition-based style. I would like to offer my condolences to the family. In 1960, the ensemble released Steal Away to Jesus on the Peacock label and in 1961 they recorded their debut album, Family Circlet. We are so sorry and sadden to hear about Richard Wallace passing. 11400 Glenn Dale Boulevard 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. Trivia (1) Members have included Joe Ligon, Richard Wallace, Johnny Valentine, Ron Staples, Tim Woodson, Johnny Martin, June Richmond. Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. $11.99. The quartet formed in the mid-1950s as a hard-shouting quartet in keeping with the style of the times, and through the intercession of RnB artist turned gospel DJ Brother Henderson, came to the attention of Peacock Records. Billboard is a part of Penske Media Corporation. 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. What was the name of your family group? 32 on the Billboard R&B chart and 102 on the Billboard US Hot 100 chart. 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. Responsibility for the accuracy of information provided in stories not written by or specifically prepared for the Academy and its Affiliates lies with the story's original source or writer. Mighty Clouds of Joy is an American traditional gospel music quartet. 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! Their song "Time" reached the top of the R&B charts in 1974, while their tune "Ride the Mighty High" became a major disco hit. 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. Another great one is gone but now they are all together again up there singing and praising the Lord! 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. The group's first break came when they caught the ear of a local gospel disc jockey, who agreed to produce several demo tapes. He had been a member of the group for 20 years. All Rights Reserved. Joe Ligon died in December 2016 at the age of 80. 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. He moved to Los Angeles to live with his uncle when he was in his early teens. 5:00 PM 9:00 PM Glenn Dale, MD 20769 A new version of Last.fm is available, to keep everything running smoothly, please reload the site. Successful gospel group who fused the traditional quartet style with modern, R&B-influenced musical arrangements. 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.". Connect your Spotify account to your Last.fm account and scrobble everything you listen to, from any Spotify app on any device or platform. The Mighty Clouds of Joy went on to win GRAMMY Awards and become one of the top quartets of the 1960s and 1970s. Speed: 45 RPM. However at a little [], Davy Jones dies and I say goodbye to my childhood. More importantly, they were the first group to add bass, drums, and keyboards to the standard quartet accompaniment of solo guitar, resulting in a sound that horrified traditionalists but appealed to younger listeners -- so much so, in fact, that the Mighty Clouds became the first gospel act ever to appear on television's Soul Train, where they performed their disco smash "Mighty High." The following year, the group recorded their debut album, Family Circle. The Mighty Clouds of Joy have been awarded numerous accolades including eightGrammy nominations and three awards. Members: Clay Hammond, David Walker (35), Elmeo Franklin, Ermant Franklin, Joe Ligon, Johnny Martin (4), Leon Polk, Paul Beasley, Richard Wallace (2), Ted Taylor Variations: Viewing All | The Mighty Clouds Of Joy 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. Michael Cook died in 2009 at the age of 46 after suffering a massive coronary. Friday, July 25th The Death of Dottie Rambo, Southern Gospel Legend, American Idol Finalists Who are Christian, The World's Best Christian Hard Rock Bands, The 27 Biggest Female Artists in Christian Music, Top 16 Christian Contemporary Pop Bands and Artists. When I first heard his voice I thought theRev CL Franklin had joined a Quartet Group their voices were so close. sending my condolences (2021, February 8). "Mighty Clouds of Joy Biography." JGM was saddened to learn from Debra Ligon and Libra Boyds post that singer and guitarist Richard Wallace of the Mighty Clouds of Joy passed away Monday, July 27, 2020. Cook has been a member of the group for more than 20 years. May he forever Rest In Paradise.. Verdie Maynus He was 80. 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. They played for President Jimmy Carter and toured extensively overseas. Unlike other gospel groups, its members dressed stylishly they used the same tailor as the Temptations and worked slick choreography into their act. Read Full Biography. We lost another legend. Thanks for the update.. It also reached no. I was always a die hard quartet fan HE WILL BE SURELY BE MISSED. Born and raised in rural Alabama, Joe Ligon was a musically gifted but shy young man who had grown up in the church and sang there for as long as anyone can remember. Free shipping for many products! Julius Cheeks, a Los Angeles singer known for his baritone voice and onstage antics. The Mighty Clouds of Joy developed a fan base much like the soul Pop and R&B groups. Do you find this information helpful? Reviews of gospel DVDs, often in conjunction with the audio CD. The Mighty Clouds of Joy was one of the first groups in urban gospel to incorporate choreographed moves into their act. Mighty Clouds of Joy became the first gospel act to ever appear on "Soul Train," which earned them criticism among traditional gospel music fans. Greetings, dear Beliefnet readers! 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 two started singing together and founded the group, pulling from other popular gospel groups in the area to round out the line-up. The Mighty Clouds of Joy started out in a traditional-based style. 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. I lived, I call it a sinful life, Wallace said. Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox, A daily briefing on what matters in the music industry. 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). The group was also inducted into the Gospel Hall of Fame. Members have included Joe Ligon, Richard Wallace, Johnny Valentine, Ron Staples, . See original listing. We were one of the first groups to do contemporary gospel, Ligon said during a 1993 interview. Content on this site does not reflect an endorsement or recommendation of any artist or music by the Recording Academy and its Affiliates. 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. I am so y to hear of Richards passing. He added: And we got stoned for it.. The Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in LA in 1959. Their first recording was Build Me a Cabin in Glory on the Elko label in 1957. Richard and the Clouds were truly a group of great guys who I counted as really good friends. Ligon had eight daughters, named: Ericka, La Tonya, Dawn, La Tisha, Patricia, Adrenia, Clarice, and Debra. Franklin, soon became a trademark of the Mighty Clouds of Joy's records. 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. Rest with the almighty my friend! 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 were an American traditional gospel music quartet. God bless his family! Singles that are picks of the week are singled out for their quality. They can even be found on display in the Apollo Theater. Mighty Clouds Of Joy. They become the first gospel act to ever appear on Soul Train,which earned them criticism among traditional gospel music fans. 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. I knew he was the last original. And we got stoned for it, Ligon told The Associated Press in a 1993 interview. 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. McArthur Pettiford, and Stacey Pettiford; all of whom are renowned . 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 Elmo Franklin died in 2008 at the age of 71. 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. This blog is no longer being updated. 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' career stretches back to the early 60s, when the original members were Junior High School kids in LA, and still in their teenage years. The Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1959 in Los Angeles, CA as a traditional-based style group. https://www.learnreligions.com/mighty-clouds-of-joy-biography-710696 (accessed March 4, 2023). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I'm not if anybody can tell me have Joe look on song on the same show with Sam Cooke and the soul stirrers and mighty clouds, James Oliver (The FAYETTE Spiritual Aires), Joe was the greatest. In the House of the Lord - Live In Houston. Franklin, Willie Joe Ligon, Richard Wallace and Johnny Martin were the four founding members of the Mighty Clouds of Joy. Mighty Clouds of Joy is an American traditional gospel music quartet. by Dixie Hummingbirds Audio CD. My Dad and my sisters sung gospil and this gave me a unique opportunity to meet many of icons gospil. 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. Read Full Biography, Contemporary gospel's preeminent group, the Mighty Clouds of Joy carried the torch for the traditional quartet vocal style throughout an era dominated by solo acts and choirs; pioneering a distinctively funky sound that over time gained grudging acceptance even among purists, they pushed spiritual music in new and unexpected directions, even scoring a major disco hit. 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. 1990. Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1954 and started out in a tradition-based style. The mighty clouds has always been one if my favorite Quartets. The single Mighty Clouds of Joy from that same album reached no. Founding ensemble member Johnny Martin died on February 12, 1987, in Los Angeles at the age of 46. As the years advanced, Ligon took a more supportive singing role, with lead vocals performed by ex-Gospel Keynotes vocalist Paul Beasley. Other Works | Publicity Listings | Official Sites. We love you! 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. 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). Ligon's fiery preaching, inspired by the radio broadcasts of Reverend C.L. 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. 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. I missed sharing [], Tonight was the final performance episode of this first season of The X Factor in the US, and what a way to end the competition. The Mighty Clouds of Joy have shared the stage with Paul Simon, Aretha Franklin, andThe Rolling Stones. 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). Founder of Journal of Gospel Music blog (formally The Black Gospel Blog) and producer of the Gospel Memories Radio Show. 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). Ligon was born . As the years advanced, Ligon took a more supportive singing role, with lead vocals performed by ex-Gospel Keynotes vocalist Beasley. 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. 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 The group was influenced by The Temptations, an American vocal group that released four Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles. He was 46. So inspirational and touched by so many hearts. In 2005, Wallace told Clint Yeatts of KLTV that he got saved while a member of the Clouds. A native of Troy, Alabama, Ligon was blessed with natural singing talent. Singer Joe Ligon, the dynamic frontman of the Grammy-winning gospel group Mighty Clouds of Joy, has died. Connect your Spotify account to your Last.fm account and scrobble everything you listen to, from any Spotify app on any device or platform. 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. By 1960, they had a major Gospel record deal with a hit single and album flying up the charts. Despite rumors of his demise, the charming rock legend is alive and well. It appears to have started with a fake blog post reporting that Bon Jovi suffered cardiac arrest. A small donation would help us keep this available to all. 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. 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: Best of The Mighty Clouds Of Joy, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Jones, Kim. 8262 Lokus Road Mr Bob as always your ability with the pen to speak to who and what are relative is amazing thank you for taking the time to honor and celebrate a life dedicated to gospel music when people think of Clouds they immediately think Joe Ligon, but Mr Richard Wallace booked, managed for many years, actually most of the years and made it possible for Mr Ligon to focus solely on singing they were brothers, they were friends, they were comrades, in gospel and in life, Richard Wallace is officially the last original who went on the road with the Clouds, making it the end of a long standing, era Now he joins the amazing cast of Clouds that proceeded him in Glory. Eventually they added soul, R&B read more Similar Artists Play all Eddie Ruth Bradford 2,873 listeners Lee Williams And The Spiritual QC's 3,274 listeners Douglas Miller 3,849 listeners Learn Religions. A Michael Cook Tribute will be held: Kim Jones is an ordained pastor and a co-founder of Road to Revelation, a Christian rock band. All user-contributed text on this page is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. Odenton, MD 21113 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. Although I was in the church I was not living saved, but then God saved me. More By The Mighty Clouds of Joy Pray for Me. The following year, 1958, they produced In Lord, You Woke Me Up This Morning on the Proverb label. They sang their original composition, Time from their album Its Time which peaked at no. 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. Thus not realizing they were setting a standard and paving a way for future gospel soul groups for decades to come. 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 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. Best of the Mighty Clouds of Joy. Feel free to contribute! Posted on Last updated: November 10, 2021, Joe Ligon was an American gospel singer best known asthe dynamic frontman of the Grammy-winning gospel group Mighty Clouds of Joy.. 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! We were one of the first groups to do contemporary gospel. $3.98. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested for the Michael Cook Trust Fund and can be made at any Bank of America Branch. 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. 2011. Their crossover success brought them added recognition, and they opened for the Rolling Stones, Paul Simon and Aretha Franklin. Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1954 and started out in a tradition-based style. . The original members of the band include Johnny Martin, Elmo and Ermant Franklin, Leon Polk and Richard Wallace. Joe Ligon (born Willie Joe Ligon in Troy, Alabama on October 11, 1936) died on December 11, 2016, at age 80. Biography. '"[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 groups signature songs included Walk Around Heaven, Nearer My God to Thee, and Ive Been in the Storm Too Long. Singer Joe Ligon, the dynamic frontman of the Grammy-winning gospel group Mighty Clouds of Joy, has died. Release Calendar Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Browse Movies by Genre Top Box Office Showtimes & Tickets Movie News India Movie Spotlight. The founder and lead vocalist of the Mighty Clouds of Joy who helped bring gospel music up to modern standards. The . Ligon says, When Mike joined the group, he fit our vocal style like a glove. 1 on the Disco/Dance chart and remained charted for five weeks. He loved everyone. The Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1955 in Los Angeles, California. Successful gospel group who fused the traditional quartet style with modern, R&B-influenced musical arrangements. The Greatest Singer Ever, Joe Ligon Net Worth, Wife, Death, Mighty Clouds of Joy, Biography, Lee Marvin Net Worth | Wife, Children, Cause of Death.