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	www.themightycloudsofjoy.org
Members	Joe Ligon Ron Staples JohnnyValentine ErvinWilliams
Past members	Paul Beasley Elmeo Franklin Johnny Martin Michael Cook Ermant Franklin Leon Polk Hamp Carlton Artis Turnbough

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, Johnny Martin (died 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).

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
• 196?: 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)
• 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)
• 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)

Compilations

• 1973: The Best Of The Mighty Clouds Of Joy (Peacock/ABC) (Reissue-MCA)
• 1978: The Very Best Of The Mighty Clouds Of Joy (ABC)
• 2002: 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of the Mighty Clouds of Joy (MCA/Peacock)

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
• Official website
• An interview with Joe Ligon at Soul Express in July 2013