James was not only a gospel singer whose voice impacted the industry and his listeners, but he was also a preacher of the word. Only then did I feel I'd found home. They victimize themselves through self-oppression.". Franklin's New Bethel Baptist Church, lived on and off with the Franklins, and taught nine-year-old Aretha her first piano chords. ", Within a few minutes after the upload was posted, people started to comment on the uniqueness of her dad's personality, while they joined in on the celebration. I'd never spent time in church, and in any case I'd never heard of one like this. He became known by more than just the professionals within gospel music with his version of the Soul Stirrers song, The Love of God, backed by the Voices of Tabernacle from Detroit. Awarded on August 12, 1981 at 6742 Hollywood Blvd. I miss you, I love you, & I thank you for above all being my father! "Ninety-nine and a half won't do," Rosetta sang, "you've got to make a hundred." Cleveland is the first gospel artist to receive a star on Hollywoods Walk of Fame. In Los Angeles Cleveland attained even greater popularity working with keyboardist Billy Preston and the Angelic Choir of Nutley, New Jersey; his recording of Peace Be Still (in 1963), an obscure 18th century madrigal, sold hundreds of thousands of copies thanks to Clevelands comforting growl and emotional command, his popularity grew to great acclaim, causing him once again to return to the road, this time with the newly organized James Cleveland Singers, Odessa McCastle,Georgia White,and Eugene Bryant, along with Billy Preston. James Cleveland, Cleveland, James. Bishop Eddie Long, the leader of one of the nation's largest black churches, in suburban Atlanta, was sued in 2010 by three young men who claimed Long coerced them into sexual relationships. But that's where Wooden's self-described sense of fairness ends. Cleveland also moved to Detroit in the 1960s to take a position as music director at the famed New Bethel Baptist Church, where C. L. Franklin, father of the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, was pastor. I found a wealth of records at the public library-Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the Davis Sisters, Clara Ward, the Caravans. His influence stretched even further: like Dorsey before him, he taught others how to achieve the modern gospel sound through his annual Gospel Singers Workshop Convention, put on by the Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA), an organization that Cleveland founded,and now which has over 30,000 members in 150 chapters. Andre mentioned being born fatherless but insisted that the Reverend adopted him and became his role model. They said they were holiness, sanctified. Cleveland went to work with childhood friend Albertina Walker, popularly referred to as the "Queen of Gospel," "Starmaker," and founder of The Caravans, as a composer, arranger, pianist, and occasional singer as well as a narrator. All Rights Reserved. When I joined the church I laid sex, drugs, and rock and roll down at the altar. He could not perform at a tribute concert to him at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in October because of a tracheotomy. Gospel music superstar and megachurch pastor Donnie McClurkin shocked the non-gospel world years ago by revealing in a 2001 book that God "delivered" him from a gay "lifestyle" that he said was a result of being sexually abused as a boy. Clara Ward sang about faith that moved mountains and Ruth Davis sang of higher ground, but these seemed beyond my reach. I was a homeless, sixteen-year old runaway when two Black women in long robes and headscarves offered me a place to stay. He would then return to touring with the newly organized James Cleveland Singers, which included Odessa McCastle, Georgia White, Eugene Bryant, and Billy Preston, among others. His funeral was held at Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium, lasted four hours, was attended by over 4,000 people, and included at least two clothing changes for the deceased. This was true even as HIV/AIDS began claiming the lives of numerous African-American men in black churches, especially gospel singers in the early 1990s. When I joined the church I laid sex, drugs, and rock and roll down at the altar. He rankled many civil rights veterans when he and the Rev. One fan referred to the deceased as "KING JAMES the tru[sic] CHOIRMASTER.". Id stand around by the door and hope somebodys musician didnt show up. The Fan Who Knew Too Much by Anthony Heilbut, Random House, 2012. The change in his voice led him to focus on his skills as a pianist and later as a composer and arranger. James W. Sims, 1833-1891. In the late 1960's, Cleveland moved to Los Angeles, formed the Southern California Community Choir, opened his own church, Cornerstone Institutional Baptist, and established a national organization, the Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA). Born in Chicago, Cleveland began singing as a boy soprano at Pilgrim Baptist Church where Thomas A. Dorsey was minister of music and Roberta Martin was pianist for the choir. Prior to the accusations against Long, most controversies rarely escaped mention inside black communities and gospel music circles. Excerpts from the film soundtrack was released on Savoy Records and became a top seller, with Cleveland having the majority feature on side two of the album. E. Patrick Johnson, who is openly gay, says modern gospel music is largely defined by the artistry of black gay men. I prayed earnestly to "get right." Owens was married for nearly 48 years to Ruth Owens. [14] Ervin also said that she believed that Andre M. Cleveland was not adopted as he claimed, but was merely one of the many "homeless" children that the late-singer took into his home over the years. Peace Be Still also stayed on the Billboard charts for at least fifteen years after its release. "Blacks, Gays, and the Church: A Complex Relationship" by Corey Dade, NPR, March 22, 2012. hide caption. This rendition earned him a Grammy nomination when it was released in 1975 as his first recording with the Charles Fold Singers of Cincinnati, Ohio. But many others say they are torn between their allegiance to their churches, which form the cultural and institutional backbone of black communities, and their desire to live free of homophobia. In 1950, Cleveland joined the Gospelaires, a trio led by Norsalus McKissick and Bessie Folk, who were associated with Martin. A few days before that, Lashone celebrated her dad on Father's Day. It all happens under an unspoken "don't ask, don't tell" custom that allows gay people to be active in the church, though closeted, and churches to reap the benefits of their membership. "The Number That No Man Could Number" by Anthony Heilbut, Harper's, February 2017. At a 50-year anniversary celebration, he could only sit up for short periods. While many black pastors condemn gays and lesbians from the pulpit, the choir lofts behind them often are filled with gay singers and musicians. Martin hired him as a composer and arranger after the group disbanded. He was born September 26, 1950 in Sturgis, Michigan son of the late LeRoy and Ida June (Laughlin) Cleveland. Wow, I know she was married to the guy from Shalamar at one point, but I did NOT know that the Rev. He said he would not do so for monetary gain, but because of the principle of the matter. I was still with the church when Cleveland died, but I was beginning to see my way out. [14][15], In October 1991, music producer Andre M. Cleveland (then-aged 34) filed suit against James Cleveland's estate, claiming to be Cleveland's adopted son. This collaboration produced such recordings as "Heaven That Will Be Good Enough For Me", "Two Wings", and "The Lord Is Blessing Me Right Now". It was a system of don't ask, don't tell. Cleveland sang as a boy soprano at Pilgrim Baptist Church where the music program was headed by Thomas Dorsey, whom many consider the "father" of modern gospel music. Son of Thomas Russell Cleveland and Mabel Francis (Lind) Cleveland. According to a partial copy of the private trust document, provided to The Times by Andre Cleveland's attorney, LaShone, listed in the document as Cleveland's daughter, is left $100,000. Also the mixed-race descendant of an English trader and African mother, Caulker and his family established a powerful political dynasty in Sierra Leone, becoming involved in mainland affairs.[1]. [1], James Cleveland was born to William Clevland, an Anglo-Scot, and Ndamba, a Kissi woman, on the Banana Islands off Sierra Leone. He was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1984. In the 1950's, Cleveland relocated to Detroit, served as organist at C.L. He strained his vocal cords as a teenager while part of a local gospel group; this was said to contribute to the distinctive, gravelly voice which became a hallmark of his later in his career. Yet the presence of gays and lesbians in black churches is common. We all bought his records as children. Their most successful albums were the 1979 Grammy-nominated release, It's a New Day, featuring the industry's signature staple, "God Is"; and their 1981 release, Where Is Your Faith; among many others. However, news of Andre Cleveland, who claimed to be his adopted son, rocked the tabloids after the death of the singer. Cleveland, a pianist, singer, composer, arranger and producer, was widely regarded as the worlds foremost gospel musician. In 1968, he formed the Gospel Music Workshop of America. James Cleveland invented the modern gospel choir, taught piano to Aretha Franklin, wrote more than 400 songs, appeared on more than 100 albums, and lost track of how many went gold. Cleveland, a pianist, singer, composer, arranger and producer, was widely regarded as the world's foremost gospel musician. It began in 1968 and soon amassed hundreds of artists. [4] Cleveland would later reunite with Walker in the late 1970s with two album releases: Reunion, released in 1977, and the iconic classic Please Be Patient With Me, released in 1979 with the Trinity All Nations Choir of Chicago. The thing that troubles me is these people are almost taken advantage of. The workshops eventually attracted thousands of adherents and laid the groundwork for the popularity of gospel music. In 1959, he recorded a version of Ray Charles' hit "Hallelujah, I Love Her So" as a solo artist. Devil in a Blue Dress (1995)as Soundtrack, Your email address will not be published. Cleveland married and had a son William, named after his father. [1] For his trailblazing accomplishments, he is regarded by many as one of the greatest gospel singers who ever lived. Most of the singers I listened to were queer, like me, but I didn't know that then. The Gospel Sound: Good News in Hard Times (25th Anniversary Edition) by Anthony Heilbut, Limelight, 1997. In 1959 he recorded a version of Ray Charles hit Hallelujah I Love Her So as a solo artist. James Cleveland, the gospel music legend still regarded as the "king" of the genre, a male member of Cleveland's choir sued his estate claiming that he. I thought it was better than punk. Living the Dream: A Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. From Jump Street: The Story of Black Music, Varnette's World: A Study of a Young Artist. Marjorie was born in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania to Hinkley. After a divorce, Marjorie was married to Stephen Michael Doyle on June 3, 1976, in Pasquotank Co., North Carolina, but their married ended in divorce as well. In 1972, James collaborated with Aretha on her historic Grammy-winning and multi-million-selling album Amazing Grace, which is known as the Greatest Gospel Album of All Time. Obituary James Arthur Cleveland, age 67 of Sturgis, Michigan passed away Tuesday morning May 8, 2018 at his home. ", written and composed by Quincy Fielding. He recorded several albums with SCC between the years of 1970 and 1990. His final Grammy Award was issued posthumously after his passing in 1991, for his final album with SCC, Having Church, which features Cleveland's iconic rendition of Tramaine Hawkins' signature "What Shall I Do? With Martin regarded as the worlds foremost gospel musician on the Billboard charts for at least fifteen years after release. 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