Mighty Clouds Of Joy

The Mighty Clouds of Joy were an American traditional gospel music quartet formed in 1959 in Los Angeles, CA as a traditional-based style group. 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. In a break with tradition, the groups sound incorporated Soul, R&B, and Rock; all of which 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. 
Unlike other gospel groups, its members dressed stylishly — they used the same tailor as the Temptations — and worked slick choreography into their act. Thus not realizing they were setting a standard and paving a way for future gospel soul groups for decades to come. They became one of the most influential gospel groups in the US. 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.
The original group members included Joe Ligon (d. 2016), Johnny Martin (d. 1987), Ermant Franklin Jr. (d. 1996), Artis Turnbough (d. 1999), Elmeo Franklin (d. 2008), Richard Wallace (d. 2020), Leon Polk (d. 1998) and David Walker (who also recorded several tracks with Link Wray under the name Bunker Hill).
==Links to Peel==
Peel seemed to have first played the Mighty Clouds Of Joy in the early 70's. He reviewed their single, 'Time' in Singles Reviews, published in the Sounds music paper on 31st August 1974 and the song later became one of Peel's 1974 Top Fifty One Singles. Further airplay of the group was played by Peel in the 80's and 90's, although in the 00's, he didn't seem to play any material from them, according to available tracklistings on this site.
==Shows Played==
;thumb|220x220px1973
*23 October 1973: God Bless America (LP - God Bless America) Peacock
;1977
*12 May 1977: Mighty Clouds Of Joy
;1983
*21 March 1983: None But The Righteous (album - Mighty Clouds Alive) Myrrh
*21 March 1983: Bright Side (album - Mighty Clouds Alive) Myrrh
*22 March 1983: Bright Side (album - Mighty Clouds Alive) Myrrh
;1991
*16 March 1991: Use Me Lord (album - God Bless America) Peacock
== See Also ==
*Sounds
*Clay Hammond
==External Links==
*Wikipedia
*Discogs
Category:Artists