JOE LIGON

Joe Ligon, a Troy, AL. native, moved to Los Angeles, CA. with his family where he formed the Mighty Clouds of Joy in 1960 with high school friends. Over the past three decades, the group has released over 30 albums on seven record labels, earned two Grammy awards, and received numerous other accolades in this country and abroad. Ligon is the only remaining original member of the group, and continues to sustain them in their innovative approach to gospel music. The group was a trend setter from the beginning, blending not only rhythm and blues inflections into the music by adding guitars and a drummer, but also dressing in colorful suits. The group's song "Time" from the 1974 album "It's Time" climbed to the top of the R&B charts, and the song "Ride The Mighty High" became a favorite disco song of the mid-70s. They have shared the stage with the Rolling Stones, Marvin Gaye, Earth, Wind and Fire, Al Green, Andrae Crouch, James Cleveland, Ray Charles, Patti LaBelle and Aretha Franklin. The group has also made an appearance at the White House. The Grammy Awards were won in 1978 for "Live And Direct" and in 1979 for "Changing Times".

 

 

Back to "L" Achievers