The Mighty Clouds of Joy, an American traditional gospel music quartet, were
formed in 1959 in Los Angeles. The original group members included Joe Ligon,
Johnny Martin, Ermant Franklin Jr., Artis Turnbough, Elmeo Franklin, Richard
Wallace, Leon Polk, and David Walker. Initially a tradition-based style group,
they gained fame in 1961 by incorporating bass, drums, keyboards, and a funky
sound that blended gospel with rhythm and blues. The group's unique style also
included elements of soul, R&B, and rock without diluting the religious essence
of their material. Their early hit "St...