The Clouds were the first Gospel group to perform on "Soul Train." "We were very nervous that the public wouldn't understand our Soul Train performance," says Joe Ligon. "When our disco hit, 'Mighty High,' was played, we were shocked at the reaction of the kids dancing." Joe adds, "We were ahead of our time. Now it's one of our most requested songs. The diehard Gospel fans gave us flack like you wouldn't believe – it wasn't churchy enough for them. They said we'd sold out and gone funky."

But the Clouds stuck to their guns, and soon were taking Gospel to places it seldom, if ever, had been. Over the years, they have won multiple Grammy awards and opened for the likes of Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Earth, Wind & Fire, the Rolling Stones and Paul Simon, whom they backed for a month at New York's Madison Square Garden. And the "funkified" Gospel they had pioneered gradually became accepted as a standard part of Gospel music.

The Clouds hold the distinction of being the most visible of any Gospel act in history, performing on nearly every major television show in America, including "The Grammy Awards," "The Stellar Awards," "CBS Special," "Prime Time Country," "PBS Special," "The Johnny Cash Show," "Mike Douglas Show," "Merv Griffin Show," "Lou Rawls Parade of Stars," and the "Arsenio Hall Show."

Joe Ligon, the group's leader, was born in Troy, Alabama, where he lived until his early teens. Born with a natural singing talent, he was too shy to perform in public, preferring to vocalize only around the house and in the fields. When a group of his singing cousins asked him to join them, it was Joe's mother who insisted he agree, unknowingly launching one of the greatest careers in Gospel music. It was Joe's father who inspired "Live In Charleston"'s lead off single, "Meeting Tonight." According to Joe, his father would walk through the town shouting "There's gonna be a big meeting tonight with all the preachers." He was referring to what is now called a Revival, a week long Church service of fellowship, worship and praise. Joe adds, "My father would shout throughout the town every August, 'There's gonna be a meeting tonight.'"

Joe, at age 14, headed west to Los Angeles for a visit with an uncle that turned into a long-term residence. His uncle, by prior agreement with his mother, re-enrolled the youngster in school, where he soon met other boys who shared his gift for the song, including the now-deceased Cloud, Johnny Martin. They were taken under his wing and tutored in the art of four-part Gospel harmony by a neighbor who saw the boys' potential. The man took a fatherly liking to the youngsters, and they formed a foursome, singing in the neighborhood and throughout the Southwest for four years.

Still in their late teens, the group was heard by a local Gospel deejay who did the first rudimentary recordings of the group, which he sent to Peacock Records, home to the Blind Boys, the Nightingales and the Dixie Hummingbirds, among other classic Gospel acts of the day. Sensing something fresh and unique in the Clouds, Peacock was quick to sign them, and their first single in 1960, "Steal Away to Jesus," was followed in 1961 by their debut album, "Family Circle."

Overflowing with energy on stage, the Mighty Clouds of Joy were one of the first quartets to incorporate movement and choreography into their act. With matching, brightly color-coordinated outfits, the Clouds coupled a new level of showmanship with their ministry, even becoming known as "the Temptations of Gospel."

Since they formed in 1955 and first began recording in 1960, the Mighty Clouds of Joy have endured many musical trends. They were the first to add bass, drums and keyboards to the traditional quartet accompaniment of solo electric guitar. Though more traditional members of Gospel audiences were critical, the Clouds stuck to their commitment to be different from the pack, and they reigned supreme. More innovations causing controversy followed for some time to come. "The lyrics were always a very strong Gospel message," says Joe, "but the music was a long way from 'Will the Circle Be Unbroken.'"

After more than 40 years singing the Gospel, the Mighty Clouds of Joy still have the power to excite and inspire their ever-increasing following. "We see ourselves as singers who minister to the people and encourage them that the Lord is real and there for us, and that commitment has only grown stronger over the years," says Joe. 

"People today seem hungry for much more than entertainment. With all the terrible things happening in the world now, their souls are looking for nourishment...for something to believe in. That spark that only the Holy Spirit can give you is still burning strong in us," Joe concludes. "If we ever lost that, we might as well pack it in and go home."

In 1993, the group, who had worked with James Bullard since 1979, signed with Intersound and released "Power" and received a Grammy nomination for Best Gospel Group.

On January 26, 1996, Quartet music supporters gathered in Birmingham, Alabama, for the Fourth Annual American Gospel Convention Awards Night and Hall of Fame Inductions. Joe Ligon was inducted and presented The Key To The City Of Birmingham.

Later in the year they would join The Williams Brothers and Slim & The Supreme Angels in an historic recording, Gospel SuperBowl Concert in Atlanta, Georgia, released as a collectors album, "Together As One: A Tribute To The Heritage of Quartet Music," reaching number three on Billboard charts.

Today, the Mighty Clouds of Joy are still touring worldwide as they continue to stay true to their form of singing Quartet as well as contemporary Gospel.