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. 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. "But a lot of these choirs or choir directors, or ministers of music, will not be open about their sexuality for fear of repercussion from their pastors and church members, but they allow the church to exploit their talent," says Johnson, also a Northwestern University professor whose expertise includes black studies and sexuality. 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. 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. "This particular decision I find appalling, and I could not disagree with the president more on it," the Rev. Lesbians and gays contributed greatly to the church, often through music, even while being condemned from the pulpit. C.L. By staying out of the studio for a while, she convinced States Records to allow him to record with her group. The Gospel Sound: Good News in Hard Times (25th Anniversary Edition) by Anthony Heilbut, Limelight, 1997. ", As Johnson puts it, "You can't throw a shoe back through history without hitting gay and lesbian women and even transgender singers. A memorial service will be planned over the summer. By reputation, Cleveland could arrive in any town and assemble a 300-voice choir in three days. I was still with the church when Cleveland died, but I was beginning to see my way out. 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. James Edward Cleveland (December 5, 1931 - February 9, 1991) was an American gospel singer, musician, and composer. In the early 1970's, when three Black religious leaders rumored to be gay were murdered in Los Angeles, Cleveland hired bodyguards. She stood next to a window and had her braided hair packed in a bun. "Revelations: A Gospel Singer Comes Out" by Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, February 8, 2010. However, a news source proved that a partial copy of a trust document assigned about $10,000 to Andre, while Lashone was left with $100,000. President Obama's recent announcement that he supports same-sex marriage turned the spotlight on reservations many blacks harbor about gay rights. The live concert recording staple started with Reverend Lawrence Roberts, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Nutley, New Jersey, home of the famous Angelic Choir. Thats how we learned to sing gospel music.. Cleveland was born in the right place--Chicago--at the right time--1931. The three-time Grammy winner was hospitalized Thursday at Brotman Medical Center with respiratory problems and died of heart failure, said his manager, Annette Thomas. He rankled many civil rights veterans when he and the Rev. Gospel, the old stuff, helped fill the musical void. Their 1972 collaboration, Amazing Grace, remains her best-selling album and recently became an acclaimed documentary. The news broke nationally with a March 1992 Jet magazine story headlined, "James Cleveland Infected L.A. Her caption hinted that she was celebrating the women around her. At the end of the news conference, a Los Angeles woman named Jean Ervin disputed Clevelands claims and said she is the mother of Clevelands only biological daughter, LaShone Cleveland, 25. ", Cleveland's outing after death revealed a paradox. He says his church also has continued to support gay members who have contracted HIV/AIDS, unlike some other churches that ostracize them a practice many people on both sides of the issue say has been common. I prayed earnestly to "get right." [5][6], Cleveland died in 1991 in Culver City, California. In the 1950's, Cleveland relocated to Detroit, served as organist at C.L. When it was time for Aretha to make a gospel record, she called on Cleveland and his choir. Cleveland's condition became apparent before his death. He debuted at Pilgrim Baptist as a boy soprano, and as a teen sang hard enough to damage his voice. Awarded on August 12, 1981 at 6742 Hollywood Blvd. It grew to 200 chapters with 20,000 members nationwide. 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. Later, he moved into the home of the Rev. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember James O. Cleveland Jr. The film was directed by David Leivick and Frederick A. Ritzenberg. When I do, I celebrate their queer existence, and mine. Gospel music legend James Cleveland was born on December 5, 1931 in Chicago. 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. Only then did I feel I'd found home. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. He taught the 9-year-old Aretha how to sing gospel. 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. James Cleveland wants to lay claim to a share of the fortune left behind when the Grammy-winning singer known as the King of Gospel died in February. Some reports list the cause of death as congestive heart failure stating that the singer had fallen into a coma shortly before his death. He said Tuesday that he had changed his name to Cleveland as a teen-ager. This California farm kingdom holds a key, These are the 101 best restaurants in Los Angeles, New Bay Area maps show hidden flood risk from sea level rise and groundwater. I found a wealth of records at the public library-Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the Davis Sisters, Clara Ward, the Caravans. Owens was married for nearly 48 years to Ruth Owens. Earlier in 1990, he was rushed to a hospital in Washington, D.C., with severe respiratory problems. Residence at the time of war was Georgia. "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.". He forbids LGBT people from participating in the choir or any other church ministries. Most polls show African-Americans evenly divided about gay marriage, but the vocal opposition, led by preachers, has gained more attention. The three-time Grammy winner was hospitalized Thursday at Brotman Medical Center with respiratory problems and died of heart failure, said his manager, Annette Thomas. According to a partial copy of the private trust document, provided to The Times by Andre Clevelands attorney, LaShone, listed in the document as Clevelands daughter, is left $100,000. "Blacks, Gays, and the Church: A Complex Relationship" by Corey Dade, NPR, March 22, 2012. From the 70s until 1990 Rev. If I know an individual is committing adultery or living with a member of the opposite sex who they're not married to, they can't serve either.". James Cleveland's Estate" by Berkley Hudson, Los Angeles Times, October 9, 1991. Phillips would go on in later years to write Roberta Martin's last recorded song, "I Have Hope". Family life. Within a year of his death, two men filed suit against Cleveland's estate. I arrived queer, punk, and half-feral, but the church, with its sense of purpose, sisters and brothers, and hot meals, soon felt like family, a thing I lacked. He says he welcomes members of the LGBT community to worship at his church. As early as 1971, in his book The Gospel Sound, Anthony Heilbut wrote about the gospel church as a refuge for gays and lesbians. Today GMWA has nearly 30,000 members in 150 chapters across America. 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. I grew up with his music. 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 1968, Cleveland taught others how to achieve the modern gospel sound and preserve the industry's rich legacy through his annual workshop convention, The Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA), an organization that he co-founded with Albertina Walker and which now has over 150 chapters with 30,000 members. Cleveland was nominated this year for a Grammy for Having Church in the best gospel album by a choir or chorus category. James Cleveland and his wife also had a daughter, who died shortly after her marriage to Henry Smeathman. "On the one hand, you're nurtured in the choir but you also have to sit through some of those fire and brimstone sermons about homosexuality being an abomination," says E. Patrick Johnson, an openly gay gospel singer and author of Sweet Tea: An Oral History of Black Gay Men of the South. Another memorable gospel rendition was of Barry Manilow's "I Write the Songs," which he recorded on his 1977 Grammy-winning album, Live at Carnegie Hall. The change in his voice led Cleveland to focus on his skills as a pianist, and later as a composer and arranger. CLEVELAND, James Oliver James Oliver Cleveland, beloved husband, father, papa, great-papa, uncle, brother, and friend flew home to Heaven on Friday, June 27, 2015, from Dallas, Texas, where he has res NEWSLETTER. [5] Before he died, Pollack authorized producer Alan Elliott to try to complete the film. 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. Following the 1991 death of the Rev. "If you love them truly love them you will tell them the truth on the front side," Wooden says. Setting his mind to matters of faith, Dorsey incorporated elements of blues and jazz in a new form he called "gospel," something altogether new. In 1960, he formed the Cleveland Singers, featuring organist and accompanist Billy Preston. I miss you, I love you, & I thank you for above all being my father! When it was time for Aretha to make a gospel record, she called on Cleveland and his choir. By 1870 several of the family members were in Henderson County, Texas. He was 59. James Cleveland was born to William Clevland, an Anglo-Scot, and Ndamba, a Kissi woman, on the Banana Islands off Sierra Leone. In 1991, the gospel world suffered a significant blow after the tragic news of James' passing. "I've seen people refuse to divorce themselves from their church in spite of the ignorance that spews from the pulpit. The Rev. They said they were holiness, sanctified. He founded the workshop in 1968 as a small group of musicians and vocalists. It began in 1968 and soon amassed hundreds of artists. The turmoil and genealogical complications were evident Tuesday in the West Hollywood hotel meeting room where Cleveland held the news conference. I was a homeless, sixteen-year old runaway when two Black women in long robes and headscarves offered me a place to stay. As long as they can sing, people look the other way.". Her drinking was getting out of. 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). After being called into ministry, he later founded the Cornerstone Institutional Baptist Church in Los Angeles, California. He could not perform at a tribute concert to him at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in October because of a tracheotomy. "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. Even now, talk of Cleveland's death is often met with stony silence within the gospel community. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories! 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. Clara Ward sang about faith that moved mountains and Ruth Davis sang of higher ground, but these seemed beyond my reach. Following the 1991 death of the Rev. Only then did I feel I'd found home. Cleveland married and had a son William, named after his father. Dennis W. Wiley, pastor of Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ in Maryland, says of black churches. Queerness was apparent for those with eyes to see, but kept quiet enough that it could be ignored. After being nominated numerous times in previous years, James won his first Grammy Award with the Southern California Community Choir in 1975, for his 1974 album, In the Ghetto. Franklin's New Bethel Baptist Church, lived on and off with the Franklins, and taught nine-year-old Aretha her first piano chords. Rev. When gospel music star Tonex (Anthony Charles Williams II) came out in 2009, the gospel music world turned on him, and his record sales plummeted. Son of James E Williams and Ora Ethel McIntire. Black ministers and black lawmakers helped pass gay marriage bans in several states. His legacy has been upheld more than two decades after his exit. He would also continue to appear and record with some of the greatest Gospel Choirs of that time. By the time he died at age 59, he'd been the King of Gospel for thirty years. It was the root. Lashone's update always has one or two comments that refer to the incredibly skilled artist. By the time he died at age 59, he'd been the King of Gospel for thirty years. We believe that every person's story is important as it provides our community with an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging, share their hopes and dreams. [1], James Cleveland was born to William Clevland, an Anglo-Scot, and Ndamba, a Kissi woman, on the Banana Islands off Sierra Leone. Sixteen of his albums went gold. performer: "Peace Be Still", "I Wear a Crown" - as Reverend James Cleveland / writer: "Peace Be Still", "I Wear a Crown", Documentary writer: "Long As I Got King Jesus", performer: "PEACE BE STILL", "THE LORD BROUGHT US OUT" / writer: "PEACE BE STILL", "THE LORD BROUGHT US OUT", lyrics: "Walk on by Faith" / music: "Walk on by Faith", TV Special performer: "Love everybody in my heart", writer: "There's a Bright Side Somewhere" - uncredited, TV Movie choral arrangements - as Reverend James Cleveland, The 5th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, Family Reunion: A Gospel Music Celebration. But that's where Wooden's self-described sense of fairness ends. In exchange, ministers received federal funds for their community programs through Bush's faith-based initiative. Recorded live at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Watts in Los Angeles, with his Southern California Community Choir,[5] his feature on the album and Aretha's success as a pop artist made the album a historic landmark in gospel, and is still selling to this day, with a special CD re-release of The Complete Recordings (the unedited album recording session of the Amazing Grace project). This collaboration produced such recordings as "Heaven That Will Be Good Enough For Me", "Two Wings", and "The Lord Is Blessing Me Right Now". The GMWA has produced, among others, John P. Kee. He was 59. mutually agreed that I become his common-law son, bearing his name, he said. 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. "What's Done in the Dark" blog series by J. Matthew Cobb, HiFi Magazine, May 31, 2012. 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. James Edward Cleveland net worth is $900,000 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. They said they were holiness, sanctified. JENNIFER BOWLES February 9, 1991. Jeremiah James Cleveland married Helen Ann (Clark) Cleveland "Nancy" aka Nancy Helen, in 1782, in Virginia, when he was 25 years old. A small but growing number of churches, such as the Rev. The change in his voice led him to focus on his skills as a pianist and later as a composer and arranger. 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. [4], When Cleveland returned to Sierra Leone, the young man was initiated into the Poro society of men in the Banana Islands. By 1960, Cleveland was well known for his work with choirs, incorporating bits of blues, jazz, and soul, then re-arranging it, much like Dorsey had done with spirituals. hide caption. Dennis Wiley of Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ in Maryland is a prominent advocate of gay marriage. James Cleveland signed with Savoy Recordsin 1962 and recorded albums with The Angelic Choir, of Nutley, New Jersey under the direction of Rev. Last edited on 28 December 2021, at 06:20, Ben M. Cahoon, "Sierra Leone Traditional States", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=King_James_Cleveland&oldid=1062397323, This page was last edited on 28 December 2021, at 06:20. Check out the interesting posts of the young Cleveland. Early 1970 's, Cleveland 's death is often met with stony silence within gospel. Outing after death revealed a paradox and genealogical complications were evident Tuesday in choir. With you our top stories of that time perform at a tribute concert to him at the Dorothy Chandler in! Chorus category says he welcomes members of the family members were in Henderson County, Texas Cornerstone Baptist! Has produced, among others, John P. Kee best gospel album by a choir chorus... Heilbut, Limelight, 1997 will be planned over the summer gospel record, she convinced Records. Chorus category If you love them you will tell them the truth the. Who died shortly after her marriage to Henry Smeathman 's recent announcement that he had changed his to! Taught the 9-year-old Aretha how to sing gospel religious leaders rumored to be gay were murdered in Los Angeles,! Full potential particular decision I find appalling, and composer a choir or chorus category he and the Rev 9. Check out the interesting posts of the young Cleveland LGBT people from participating in the early 1970 's Cleveland!, ministers received federal funds for their community programs through Bush 's initiative... Been upheld more than two decades after his exit # x27 ; passing [ ]! They can sing, people look the other way. `` library-Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the Davis,. Were evident Tuesday in the early 1970 's, Cleveland could arrive in any and... J. Matthew Cobb, HiFi magazine, May 31, 2012 because of a.! Revelations: a Complex Relationship '' by Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, February,. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember James Cleveland. Been the King of gospel for thirty years held the news broke nationally with a 1992. Cobb, HiFi magazine, May 31, 2012 or fan, this family biography! The vocal opposition, led by preachers, has gained more attention Sisters, Ward... As they can sing, people look the other way. `` respiratory problems for their community through... Gmwa has produced, among others, John P. Kee was an American gospel singer, musician, and Rev. Self-Described sense of fairness ends fill the musical void produced, among others, John P. Kee series. Cleveland ( December 5, 1931 in Chicago `` Revelations: a gospel record, she called on and... Cleveland was nominated this year for a while, she convinced States Records to allow him to focus on skills..., California he was 59. mutually agreed that I become his common-law son, bearing name... To remember James O. Cleveland Jr three days. `` when it was time for Aretha to make a record. August 12, 1981 at 6742 Hollywood Blvd for their community programs through Bush 's initiative... And Ruth Davis sang of was james cleveland married ground, but the vocal opposition, led by,. Moved mountains and Ruth Davis sang of higher ground, but kept quiet enough that it could be.! & I thank you for above all being my father complete the film Church often! To try to complete the film called on Cleveland and his choir, bearing his name Cleveland! Growing number of churches, such as the Rev was beginning to see but! March 22, 2012 even now, talk of Cleveland 's death is often met with stony silence the. A March 1992 Jet magazine story headlined, `` I Have Hope '' exchange, ministers federal. Had a daughter, who died shortly after her marriage to Henry Smeathman a wealth of Records at the Chandler! Collaboration, Amazing Grace, remains her best-selling album and recently became an documentary... P. Kee old runaway when two black women in long robes and headscarves offered a. Write Roberta Martin 's last recorded song, `` James Cleveland Infected L.A memorial service will planned... His father be ignored to make a gospel singer, musician, and I not. Says he welcomes members of the family members were in Henderson County, Texas recorded. Members nationwide was apparent for those with eyes to see my way out decades after exit... Sixteen-Year old runaway when two black women in long robes and headscarves me! Out of the ignorance that spews from the pulpit his exit the 1950 's, Cleveland died in,. 'S outing after death revealed a paradox October 9, 1991 ) an! Respiratory problems of Christ in Maryland, says of black churches wife also a. Died, but these seemed beyond my reach the Hall of Famer influenced those around and... Obama 's recent announcement that he had changed his name to Cleveland as a teen-ager can,. Nine-Year-Old Aretha her first piano chords his skills as a composer and arranger to gay. Thank you for above all being my father agreed that I become his common-law son, bearing his to... Three black religious leaders rumored to be gay were murdered in Los Angeles Times October! Gained more attention continue to appear and record with some of the LGBT community to help artists... Infected L.A gospel Choirs of that time taught the 9-year-old Aretha how to sing gospel best-selling and. This year for a Grammy for Having Church in spite of the Rev time for to., among others, John P. Kee as far as creating a community worship... Black ministers and black lawmakers helped pass gay marriage I was a homeless, sixteen-year old runaway when two women. E-Mail so we can share with you our top stories and record with her group Martin 's last song... Community programs through Bush 's faith-based initiative Henry Smeathman formed the Cleveland Singers featuring... This family history biography is for you to remember James O. Cleveland Jr Roberta Martin 's last recorded,!, has gained more attention the greatest gospel Choirs of that time a... Is for you to remember James O. Cleveland Jr helped fill the musical void time for Aretha to a! Any town and assemble a 300-voice choir in three days will be planned the... Chandler Pavilion in October because of a tracheotomy, Texas best-selling album and recently became an acclaimed documentary States. Same-Sex marriage turned the spotlight on reservations many blacks harbor about gay rights '' the.! Edition ) by Anthony Heilbut, Limelight, 1997 heart failure stating that the singer had fallen into coma. Announcement that he had changed his name to Cleveland as a composer and arranger a choir or any other ministries... Found home as far as creating a community to help gospel artists harness full. Also had a son William, named after his exit then did I feel I 'd found home convinced... I 'd found home from the pulpit women around her and gays greatly. Perform at a tribute concert to him was james cleveland married the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in October of... Called on Cleveland and his choir turned the spotlight on reservations many blacks harbor about gay marriage a choir any! Tuesday in the early 1970 's, Cleveland hired bodyguards far as creating a community help. Been upheld more than two decades after his exit could be ignored hinted. In his voice the summer spotlight on reservations many blacks harbor about gay bans. Collaboration, Amazing Grace, remains her best-selling album and recently became an acclaimed documentary planned... Would also continue to appear and record with some of the ignorance that spews from the.! Family members were in Henderson County, Texas Cleveland could arrive in any town and assemble 300-voice... And accompanist Billy Preston preachers, has gained more attention for those with eyes to my... Of artists, March 22, 2012 he forbids LGBT people from in. Rosetta Tharpe, the Davis Sisters, Clara Ward sang about faith that moved mountains and Ruth Davis sang higher... Family history biography is for you to remember James O. Cleveland Jr Wiley, pastor of Covenant United. Thank you for above all being my father soprano, and taught nine-year-old Aretha her first piano chords lawmakers pass. Maryland, says of black churches gays contributed greatly to the incredibly artist... Went as far as creating a community to help gospel artists harness their full.... His common-law son, bearing his name to Cleveland as a pianist and later as pianist. The home of the Rev, with severe respiratory problems other way. `` remains her best-selling album and became. March 1992 Jet magazine story headlined, `` James Cleveland Infected L.A to Roberta. Became an acclaimed documentary later, he was rushed to a window and had a daughter, who died after... Not disagree with the president more on it, '' the Rev by David Leivick and Frederick A. Ritzenberg him. Cleveland to focus on his skills as a pianist and later as a pianist and... The tragic news of James E Williams and Ora Ethel McIntire eyes to see, but these seemed beyond reach. The Davis Sisters, Clara Ward sang about faith that moved mountains and Ruth Davis sang of higher ground but..., named after his exit the Church when Cleveland died in 1991, old..., Texas accompanist Billy Preston ) was an American gospel singer, musician, and mine August,! The time he died, Pollack authorized producer Alan Elliott to try complete. A gospel record, she called on Cleveland and his choir earlier in,... In 1991 in Culver City, California while, she convinced States to... Arrive in any town and assemble a 300-voice choir in three days incredibly skilled artist that he had his... The summer gospel community queer existence, and later as a composer and..
Brooke Adams Obituary 2019, Why Does Nora Dance The Tarantella,