Cleveland was born in the right place--Chicago--at the right time--1931. As early as 1971, in his book The Gospel Sound, Anthony Heilbut wrote about the gospel church as a refuge for gays and lesbians. Required fields are marked *. Additional info submitted by Zoeangel. Cleveland was nominated this year for a Grammy for Having Church in the best gospel album by a choir or chorus category. The case was settled with undisclosed terms. [12], The Southern California Community Choir: Having Church, James Cleveland & The Charles Fold Singers: Lord, Let Me Be an Instrument, James Cleveland: James Cleveland Live at Carnegie Hall, James Cleveland & The Southern California Community Choir: In the Ghetto, SIGN UP FOR THE AM 1310: THE LIGHT! Phillips would go on in later years to write Roberta Martin's last recorded song, "I Have Hope". James Cleveland, revered by the music world as the king of gospel who taught a 9-year-old Aretha Franklin to sing gospel and inspired countless other artists, died Saturday. "They were wilder than me--and that's saying something the cats liked it with the cats and the chicks liked it with the chicks.". When he was just starting out, James Cleveland played with them. In 1964 Rev. 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. By 2004, a number of high-profile black ministers emerged as outspoken opponents of same-sex marriage as part of their alignment with the conservative Christian movement, which helped re-elect President George W. Bush that year. When it was time for Aretha to make a gospel record, she called on Cleveland and his choir. James Cleveland, who was popularly called "King of Gospel," has a beautiful daughter named Lashone. James Edward Cleveland", "The official website for Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, California", "Man Seeks Share of the Rev. Relatives: Son of James Cleveland (1793-1881) and Elizabeth 'Betsey' (Parker) Cleveland (1796-1879); married, January 19, 1868, to Katherine M. 'Kate' Peters; third cousin twice removed of Ephraim Safford and Isaiah Kidder; fourth cousin once removed of Jonathan Usher, Chauncey Fitch Cleveland, Charles Stetson, James Safford, Luther Kidder and Isaiah Stetson (1812-1880). Through the Poro, he recruited an army with which to attack his rival Charles Caulker, whom he killed and decapitated.[5]. Today GMWA has nearly 30,000 members in 150 chapters across America. He said he would not do so for monetary gain, but because of the principle of the matter. ", Commentator Keith Boykin, who is African-American and gay, calls it a paradox: "The church might be the most homophobic and most homotolerant of any institution in the black community. Yet the presence of gays and lesbians in black churches is common. "Inside the church, a lot of the music was created by gay men along with the preachers, we were the people who kept the church going. Annual conventions of the GMWA, the organization Cleveland led, functioned as a queer safe space where men walked hand in hand. Reports have it that he is survived by a daughter, a brother, and three sisters. Cleveland added Clyde Brown and Charles Barnett to his group which by then was traveling extensively throughout the United States and Abroad into the late 60s,performing in all major venues,this collaboration brought memorable recordings such as Heaven That Will Be Good Enough For MeTwo Wings The Lord Is Blessing Me Right Now and many others. "James Cleveland Infected L.A. Devil in a Blue Dress (1995)as Soundtrack, Your email address will not be published. "Man Seeks Share of the Rev. For the United States Representative, see, You're the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me, "Gospel Festival to honor sounds and work of James Cleveland", http://campber.people.clemson7-s.edu/unitedstates2.html, "Aretha Franklin's 'Amazing Grace' Gets LA Premiere In The Church Where It Took Place", "Thousands Attend Service for the Rev. I took encouragement from gospel music. Through the attorney, Donald Garner, Thomas denied any impropriety. Martin hired him as a composer and arranger after the group disbanded. Residence at the time of war was Georgia. James Cleveland was married twice and has a daughter by his 2nd wife. James Edward Cleveland net worth is $1.3 Million James Edward Cleveland Wiki: Salary, Married, Wedding, Spouse, Family The Reverend Dr. James Edward Cleveland (December 5, 1931 - February 9, 1991) was a gospel singer, musician, and composer. The song that brought Cleveland tremendous fame was his rendition of "Peace Be Still.". Today GMWA has nearly 30,000 members in 150 chapters across America. I was still with the church when Cleveland died, but I was beginning to see my way out. [18], 2019 Edits and Additional Historic Information by Miko Evans aka DJ Rev of Rev Productions (Atlanta, Georgia) / February 1113, 2019.mw-parser-output .refbegin{font-size:90%;margin-bottom:0.5em}.mw-parser-output .refbegin-hanging-indents>ul{margin-left:0}.mw-parser-output .refbegin-hanging-indents>ul>li{margin-left:0;padding-left:3.2em;text-indent:-3.2em}.mw-parser-output .refbegin-hanging-indents ul,.mw-parser-output .refbegin-hanging-indents ul li{list-style:none}@media(max-width:720px){.mw-parser-output .refbegin-hanging-indents>ul>li{padding-left:1.6em;text-indent:-1.6em}}.mw-parser-output .refbegin-columns{margin-top:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .refbegin-columns ul{margin-top:0}.mw-parser-output .refbegin-columns li{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}. Father of Clifton and Rick 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. On December 9, 1950 Cleveland married Hilary Paterson, and they moved into the . ", Cleveland's outing after death revealed a paradox. Lashone's update always has one or two comments that refer to the incredibly skilled artist. "The Number That No Man Could Number" by Anthony Heilbut, Harper's, February 2017. hide caption. Roberts liked the idea of capturing worship in song live on a recording where the listeners can feel and become of a part of the service. He strained his vocal cords as a teenager while part of a local gospel group, leaving the distinctive gravelly voice that was his hallmark in his later years. The Fan Who Knew Too Much by Anthony Heilbut, Random House, 2012. When Franklin was 29, she was already burnt out. In November 1954, Albertina Walker provided him the opportunity to do his very first recording. [1], James Cleveland was born to William Clevland, an Anglo-Scot, and Ndamba, a Kissi woman, on the Banana Islands off Sierra Leone. Christopher Polk/WireImage via Getty Image Sixteen of his albums went gold. The change in his voice led him to focus on his skills as a pianist and later as a composer and arranger. . Queerness was apparent for those with eyes to see, but kept quiet enough that it could be ignored. Their 1972 collaboration, Amazing Grace, remains her best-selling album and recently became an acclaimed documentary. For decades, black ministers addressed LGBT people in their sermons only occasionally. Daughter of Elias Smith Cleveland (1829 - 1915) and Harriet Ursula Sumner Cleveland (1840 - 1875). Weve all been influenced by him, Hawkins said recently. I was still with the church when Cleveland died, but I was beginning to see my way out. LOS ANGELES (AP) _ The Rev. 1791) was King of the Banana Islands in Sierra Leone. This collaboration produced such recordings as "Heaven That Will Be Good Enough For Me", "Two Wings", and "The Lord Is Blessing Me Right Now". He later produced her Grammy-winning gospel album, Amazing Grace.. The Caravans. [5][6], Cleveland died in 1991 in Culver City, California. Those who serve, you want their lifestyles to uphold the standards of the church. By 1835 the family was in Sabine, Texas. Later, he moved into the home of the Rev. Known as the King of Gospel music, Cleveland was a driving force behind the creation of the modern gospel sound by incorporating traditional black gospel . A profile in People magazine noted that Cleveland lived with "a series of fatherless boys." Most of the singers I listened to were queer, like me, but I didn't know that then. Dorsey had played with Ma Rainey and had a hit record, "It's Tight Like That." In 1968, he formed the Gospel Music Workshop of America. Having more than 400 gospel songs to his name and more than ten of his albums being highly recognized, James became the first gospel singer to earn a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. As Keith Boykin, author of One More River to Cross: Black and Gay in America, wrote, "The church might be the most homophobic and most homotolerant of any institution in the black community.". "Revelations: A Gospel Singer Comes Out" by Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, February 8, 2010. As a young teen Cleveland was a part of a missionary group, Soul Winners for Christ which was created by his teenage friend Jessie Jimerson Phillips. James L. The Gospel Sound: Good News in Hard Times (25th Anniversary Edition) by Anthony Heilbut, Limelight, 1997. Peace Be Still also stayed on the Billboard charts for at least fifteen years after its release. "I do believe a certain hypocrisy is there.". In exchange, ministers received federal funds for their community programs through Bush's faith-based initiative. Working with Savoy's executive producer Fred Mendelsohn, Cleveland and the Angelic Choir of Nutley released two albums before recording the iconic masterpiece, Peace Be Still, in September 1963, which sold thousands of copies at that time and garnered Cleveland his first gold album. They victimize themselves through self-oppression.". I especially loved the Caravans, whose members--Albertina Walker, Shirley Caesar, Inez Andrews, Dorothy Norwood, Bessie Griffin, Josephine Howard, Cassietta George--were all stars in their own right. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember James O. Cleveland Jr. Research genealogy for Edmund James Cleveland of Shutter Corners, Schoharie County, New York, United States of America, as well as other members of the Cleveland family, on Ancestry. The baritone, who often described his voice as a fog horn, has been credited with writing and arranging more than 400 gospel songs, including Everything Will Be All Right, The Love of God and Peace Be Still.. By 1870 several of the family members were in Henderson County, Texas. I thought it was better than punk. "This particular decision I find appalling, and I could not disagree with the president more on it," the Rev. 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. The Hall of Famer influenced those around him and went as far as creating a community to help gospel artists harness their full potential. In 1965 Rev. Cleveland, OH 44108-1436 "Blacks, Gays, and the Church: A Complex Relationship" by Corey Dade, NPR, March 22, 2012. I still listen to Sister Rosetta Tharpe (whose possible lesbian encounters were carefully detailed in Gayle F. Wald's biography of her), the Caravans, Clara Ward, The Davis Sisters, The Roberta Martin Singers, Alex Bradford, James Cleveland, and many more. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. The film was directed by David Leivick and Frederick A. Ritzenberg. Garner, the Santa Monica attorney who represents the Cleveland Trust, said he considers Andre Clevelands charges troubling and unsubstantiated. That prospect has sparked disputes among church members, some of whom dont want to move. Franklin's New Bethel Baptist Church, lived on and off with the Franklins, and taught nine-year-old Aretha her first piano chords. 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. Cleveland's condition became apparent before his death. Parents of: Mrs. Myrtle Alta Harvey Monro (1891 - 1979) wife of George Henry Monro (1885 - 1952), Mrs. Ora Fern Harvey Kendrick (1901 - 1993) wife of Ralph James Kendrick. With song that included "Precious Memories", "God will take care of you" and "Mary Don't You Weep". He could not perform at a tribute concert to him at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in October because of a tracheotomy. The news broke nationally with a March 1992 Jet magazine story headlined, "James Cleveland Infected L.A. James Cleveland, 'King of Gospel', "The Legacy of Tuskegee: AIDS and African-Americans", "Cemetery and grave marker information for the Rev. Queerness was apparent for those with eyes to see, but kept quiet enough that it could be ignored. James Cleveland signed with Savoy Recordsin 1962 and recorded albums with The Angelic Choir, of Nutley, New Jersey under the direction of Rev. By staying out of the studio for a while, she convinced States Records to allow him to record with her group. Unable to afford a piano, he crafted one out of odds and end and taught himself how to play. [14], In February 1992, Cleveland's then-foster son, Christopher Harris (formerly Christopher Harris Cleveland), filed a lawsuit against Cleveland's estate, claiming that Cleveland allegedly sexually abused him over a period of five years and infected him with the HIV virus, which he claims Cleveland contracted through same-sex liaisons. Son of Thomas Russell Cleveland and Mabel Francis (Lind) Cleveland. His arrangements of songs such as (Give Me That) Old Time Religion and Its Me O Lord transformed them, giving a rocking lilt and insistent drive to old standards. He won Grammys for In the Ghetto in 1974, James Cleveland Live at Carnegie Hall in 1977 and Lord, Let Me Be an Instrument in 1980. The Reverend Dr. James Cleveland (December 5, 1931 - February 9, 1991) was a gospel singer, arranger, composer and, most significantly, the driving force behind the creation of the modern gospel sound, bringing the stylistic daring of hard gospel and jazz and pop music influences to arrangements for mass choirs. Franklin's New Bethel Baptist Church, lived on and off with the Franklins, and taught nine-year-old Aretha her first piano chords. At a 50-year anniversary celebration, he could only sit up for short periods. "The Apostle of Soul Gospel is James Cleveland" by Robert Windeler and Bob Sherrill, People, March 15, 1976. In 1950, Cleveland joined the Gospelaires, a trio led by Norsalus McKissick and Bessie Folk, who were associated with Martin. Two years before he died from a respiratory disease, the singer battled with some health issues. Wher Where Is Traylor Howard from Monk Now? In 1959 he recorded a version of Ray Charles hit Hallelujah I Love Her So as a solo artist. ", As Johnson puts it, "You can't throw a shoe back through history without hitting gay and lesbian women and even transgender singers. Born Nov.. Youth with HIV, $9 Million Lawsuit Claims," Jet, March 2, 1992. I found a wealth of records at the public library-Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the Davis Sisters, Clara Ward, the Caravans. "James Cleveland Infected L.A. From the 1970s until 1990, Cleveland would bring together a number of artists to back him on appearances and records. He was born September 26, 1950 in Sturgis, Michigan son of the late LeRoy and Ida June (Laughlin) Cleveland. This answer is: She had recorded nine albums for Atlantic Records in four years. "And the Choir Sings On" by Rhonda Graham, Wilmington News Journal, October 23, 1994. Each album to include his albums Stood On The Banks Of Jordan in 1964 and Give Me My Flowers 1965 gave the listener the feeling that they were listening in and experiencing a church service- with James Cleveland ministering in song and word just to them. We all bought his records as children. Also produced and co wrote songs with Aretha Franklin for her multi award and multi million sales best selling album Amazing Grace. James Cleveland's Estate", The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, A biography of James Cleveland at jcchorus.com, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=James_Cleveland&oldid=1129285480, 20th-century African-American male singers, Wikipedia articles needing factual verification from September 2019, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using infobox musical artist with associated acts, Wikipedia articles incorporating the Cite Grove template, Wikipedia articles incorporating the Cite Grove template without a link parameter, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Singer, musician, composer, arranger, recording artist, performer, music minister, This page was last edited on 24 December 2022, at 14:06. After the trio disbanded, an associate of the group, Roberta Martin, hired him as a composer and arranger. Clara Ward sang about faith that moved mountains and Ruth Davis sang of higher ground, but these seemed beyond my reach. He was a minister who established the Cornerstone Institutional Baptist Church in Los Angeles. Andre Cleveland, described as Clevelands friend and godson, was allocated only $10,000. For the United States Representative, see. So his community peen was working.He had.Shaun and had those 2 wives.Then he went left 2 little boys ewwwwww . Before bodyguards asked her to leave, Ervin read a statement she said was signed by her daughter. Marjorie was born in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania to Hinkley. In 1968, he formed the Gospel Music Workshop of America. 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. 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Then theyd say All right. [3] The Caravans also became the launching pad for today's gospel legends. Sweet Sensation, Two Hearts, Never Knew Love Like This Before, even her late 70s stuff. It also has led to tensions at the southwest Los Angeles church where Cleveland was pastor before he died--without a will--at age 59. I especially loved the Caravans, whose members--Albertina Walker, Shirley Caesar, Inez Andrews, Dorothy Norwood, Bessie Griffin, Josephine Howard, Cassietta George--were all stars in their own right. Then Id offer to play for them, he said. He was born in Alabama on Jan. 13, 1833. 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. 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. Dorsey had played with Ma Rainey and had a hit record, "It's Tight Like That." The trust is believed to call for the sale of the church building and other Cleveland properties, with part of the proceeds going to buy a more economical church building. In 1950, Cleveland joined the Gospelaires, a trio led by Norsalus McKissick and Bessie Folk. In 1965, Cleveland added Clyde Brown and Charles Barnett to his group, which by then was traveling extensively throughout the United States and abroad into the late 1960s, performing in all major venues. She also upholds her dad's faith as a Christian, and she has proven to be a believer of the faith by attending a ministry or working with a friend on gospel music. "The Apostle of Soul Gospel is James Cleveland" by Robert Windeler and Bob Sherrill, People, March 15, 1976. Following the 1991 death of the Rev. After a year or so of living under the same roof, it was . In November 1954, Walker provided Cleveland the opportunity to do his very first recording. 34-year old Andre McIsaac and 22-year old Christopher Harris had both lived with Cleveland, McIsaac as a "common law adopted son" and Harris as a foster son. Soul Winners for Christ also included a young Richard D. Henton and was headquartered at Chicago's Greater Harvest Baptist Church; Louis H. Boddie was pastor. James Cleveland Bio/Wiki, Net Worth, Married 2018 The Reverend Dr. James Edward Cleveland (December 5, 1931 - February 9, 1991) was a gospel singer, musician, and composer. 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. Rev. A few days before that, Lashone celebrated her dad on Father's Day. The James C. Cleveland Papers are held by the Cleveland, Colby, Colgate Archives of Colby-Sawyer College in New London. He was known as King James and the Crown Prince of Gospel.