Artist's albums
Take Me To The Water
2021 · album
Kickin'
2019 · album
Fresh Takes
2018 · album
Who Touched Me?
2016 · single
The Other Side
2015 · single
Classic 3
2015 · album
God Is, Yes My Good Is
2015 · album
My Time's Not Over
2015 · album
Down Memory Lane: Chapter 2
2014 · album
Best Of The Mighty Clouds Of Joy
2014 · compilation
Harvest Collection: Mighty Clouds of Joy
2013 · album
The Ultimate Collection
2012 · compilation
All That I Am: Chapter 1
2011 · album
In The House Of The Lord - Live In Houston
2011 · album
Beautiful
2010 · album
At The Revival
2010 · album
The Definitive Gospel Collection
2008 · album
Gospel Legacy
2008 · album
Platinum Praise Collection: Mighty Clouds of Joy
2008 · album
New Beginnings Gospel
2007 · EP
Movin (Live)
2007 · album
Live in Charleston
2006 · album
Gospel Gold
2005 · album
The Greatest Hits
2005 · album
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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 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. Their debut LP, Family Circle, arrived a year later. 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." 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." Their crossover success continued with opening slots for secular pop stars including Marvin Gaye, the Rolling Stones, and Paul Simon, whom the group backed during a monthlong stint at Madison Square Garden. While lineup changes plagued the Mighty Clouds throughout their career, they remained active into the new millennium; in addition to co-founders Ligon and Wallace, their latter-day incarnation also included Paul Beasley, Michael McCowin, Wilbert Williams, Johnny Valentine, and Ron Staples. As the years advanced, Ligon took a more supportive singing role, with lead vocals performed by ex-Gospel Keynotes vocalist Beasley. Ligon died in December 2016 at the age of 80. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi