By Rev. Monroe

I know I usually give you a mini sermon before I go into our topic, but this time I will just say we are on the “L” train – L for legendary. When I say legendary, I’m not talking about an old gospel music great. Think of the trendsetters, generational barrier breakers and go-getters! Legends of whom I write have paved the way, going through back doors so the next generation could go through the front. I speak of the legendary still here today and not going anywhere, still making albums and making grand performances—the icons of quartet music, legends in gospel music, EMI recording artists—The Mighty Clouds of Joy.

Together for 47 years with 37 albums (most marriages don’t even last that long) and a long list of achievements that includes three Grammy awards, Stellar Awards’ James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award, honors from the National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters (NABOB) for their accomplishments as gospel music pioneers. Their live performance on the Bobby Jones Gospel Show on BET was the highest rated performance in the history of the broadcast. Whew… the list goes on and on, but besides all that they have done, they are the most humble successful Black men in gospel music today.

Since forming in the 1950s, singing is a true ministry, and though they are naturally gifted, they are professional at all times. They live in different states from one another, so they don’t have time for foolishness. They are prompt and disciplined and rehearsal starts even before the gentlemen meet up. Known back in the day as gospel rockers, MCOJ have toured all over the world —Europe, Japan, and Sweden and of course the USA, but they have never compromised the gospel no matter what arena they were performed in—and they have performed everywhere.

Teenagers, Joe Ligon—lead vocalist, visionary and humble man of God and Johnny Martin, manager, and the standard-setter founded the group. Martin taught the others how to be a MCOJ—how to dress, how to present themselves and how important it is to be punctual, and he did so until his death in 1987. The original group included brothers Ermant and Elmo Franklin, Leon Polk and Richard Wallace, the original bass player and baritone. In 1960 they hit the scene with their debut album "Steal Away to Jesus" on the Peacock label.

Current group members are Richard Wallace, Ron Staples, one of the newest members, second lead singer and cousin to the world renowned Staple Singers; Mike Cook, a 22-year MCOJ veteran, Ervin "Big Man" Williams , band members Orick Ewing, Alfred Hudson Johnny Valentine, drummer for about 30 years now, and of course, the one and only Joe Ligon .

I was fortunate to meet the “Eddie Kendricks” of the group, Mike Cook recently. We spoke for hours about the group and its success. It is authentic that this man sincerely loves God and is not ashamed to sing or talk about what The Lord has done in the lives of his “brothers,” as he calls the members of the group. “God is raining down blessings all over us.” He has a dedicated love for the MCOJ Family and he doesn’t take any credit for his growth in the ministry of music. He humbly gives all the credit to the group’s founding father, Joe Ligon who is known in the industry as the man before his time.

Cook was emotional about his gratefulness to his father in the business. Each time he spoke of Ligon, tears came to his eyes. “If there was no Joe, there wouldn’t be a Mike [in the MCOJ],” he states. He salutes him because it is Joe Ligon who helped to make Mike Cook who he is today, and honors him by calling him “president of the music industry.”

Mike says that Joe began this group with the same heart-felt sound he has today and some people thought he wouldn’t last long because he sings so hard. But with GOD’s help and 47 years later, “Rev” (as the members call him, because when he grabs the mike, he’s preaching while he’s singing) is still on top. He’s seen them come and seen them go but humility outlasts a song any day. “Joe could have called the group “Joe Ligon and The Mighty Clouds of Joy,” states Cook, “but that’s what makes him so awesome. There are no titles, no big I’s in this group, and everyone knows who they are.”

Mr. Ligon sees them as family. Mike recalls a time when he was ill, but flew in to do a concert, then gave them all accolades for being a family and carrying the ball when he wasn’t 100%.

What’s Next? Mike Cook is happy to give detailed information. On April 3, they will be Movin’. That’sthe title of their new CD, a toe-tapping, hand-clapping album. You’re gonna get your shout on with this one. It was recorded live in Dallas, TX, their favorite place to perform, has 11 tracks and was produced by Sanchez Harley with all four singing lead vocals. According to Mike cook, “Its sound will hit and minister to the young as well as the old.”

If you want to see these gospel pioneers live, the place to be is the beautiful new South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) in South Orange, NJ when they kick off Mother’s Day Weekend on May 11 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $55 and you can make your reservations by calling 973-313-ARTS (2787).

Mike Cook closes with this awesome statement that came from Joe Ligon, “Humbleness helps to get you longevity…It is wonderful that God has allowed us to go so high and never hit bottom; after 47 years we have just leveled off because we are not going no where!”

A special “Thank you “ to Jana La Sorte, Amanda Cullari of SOPAC and Mr. Mike Cook for his wisdom and teachings on how to be blessed and how to give back. Tell you all about it in part II.

 The Mighty Clouds of Joy’s First Facts

• First black gospel group to sing at Carnegie Hall.
• First black gospel group to sing at The White House (Under President Jimmy Carter).
• First black gospel group to start touring on a bus with equipment.
• First group to add bass, drums and keyboards to the standard quartet accompaniment of solo guitar, resulting in a sound which horrified traditionalists but appealed to younger listeners that led them to be the
• First gospel act ever to appear on television's Soul Train, where they performed their disco/R &B smash hit "Mighty High” which peaked at No.2 when they crossed over on the Billboard charts in 1975.
• First gospel quartet to use a full rhythm section and incorporate choreography into their performances. Soon they became "The Temptations of Gospel."

For contact information: email revmonroe@msn.com