The Mighty Clouds of Joy have been “stealing away to Jesus” for a very long time, and on Saturday, February 28 they will steal their way to St. Louis for a concert at The Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Blvd.
The concert is sponsored by World Wide Technology, Inc. and welcomed by KDHX 88.1 FM, a community partner of the St. Louis American.
The Mighty Clouds of Joy were formed in Los Angeles during the mid-1950s by schoolmates Joe Ligon and Johnny Martin.
While still in their teens, the original group, which also included brothers Ermant and Elmo Franklin, Leon Polk and Richard Wallace, made their recorded debut in 1960 with “Steal Away to Jesus.” Their debut LP, Family Circle, arrived a year later.
In the years that followed, the Mighty Clouds earned a reputation among gospel’s greatest showmen. They were one of the first groups to incorporate choreographed moves into their act and their footwork and bright, color-coordinated outfits earned them the nickname “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 which 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 hit “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 month-long stint at Madison Square Garden.
While lineup changes plagued the Mighty Clouds throughout their career, they remained active through the 1990s. In addition to co-founders Ligon and Wallace, their latter-day incarnations also included Michael McCowin, Wilbert Williams, Johnny Valentine and Ron Staples.
Contemporary gospel’s preeminent group, they carry the torch for the traditional quartet style in an era dominated by solo acts and choirs, pioneering a distinctively funky sound which over time has gained acceptance even among purists. The group has performed everywhere from church services to the White House, and have collaborated with top artists in every genre of popular music. Through it all they continue to produce some of the most innovative gospel music today.
The Mighty Clouds of Joy perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, February 28 at the Sheldon Concert Hall. Tickets are $38 orchestra/$34 balcony and are available through MetroTix at 314-534-1111 or at ww.TheSheldon.org. For more information, call The Sheldon at 314.533.9900 during normal business hours.
Urban League honors Rev. Clark
The Rev. Dr. F. James Clark, pastor of Shalom Church City of Peace, will be one of the honorees at the Urban League’s 91st Annual Dinner on Monday, March 2 at 7 p.m. in the Millennium Hotel Ballroom. Clark is being honored “for his outstanding commitment to the community in bringing together religious and community leaders, local organizations and men from the community for his Call to Oneness project.”
The other honorees are United Parcel Service, the St. Louis Black Repertory Theatre and the late Illinois Representative Wyvetter Younge, who is being honored posthumously.
For more information, call (314) 615-3604
Dancing through hardship
Sunshine, The Urban Jewel (Alicia Williams) and Liberation Christian Church-DOC (Rev Dietra L. Wise) will perform “Beyond Measurable Ability” 7:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday, February 28 at Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar. The piece explores the experience of a black woman moving from the oppressed hardships of her past through the art of dance, music and poetry. The event will feature the dance production and exploration of the issues self-esteem, domestic violence and sexual abuse. For information, email sunshine_urbanjewel@yahoo.com.