However, news of Andre Cleveland, who claimed to be his adopted son, rocked the tabloids after the death of the singer. Cleveland was born in the right place--Chicago--at the right time--1931. He spent time at Mahalia Jackson's beauty shop and listened to her hum while she fixed hair. Ervin, who said she still sings in the choir at the Cleveland-founded Cornerstone Institutional Baptist Church at Slauson and Western avenues, said Andre Cleveland was just one of the many homeless, fatherless children the minister took into his Windsor Hills home. "Revelations: A Gospel Singer Comes Out" by Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, February 8, 2010. 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. Christopher Polk/WireImage via Getty Image The James C. Cleveland Papers are held by the Cleveland, Colby, Colgate Archives of Colby-Sawyer College in New London. Girlfriends List, Da Seo Hye-lin (EXID) - Age, Height, Net Worth, Famil Singer, musician, composer, arranger, recording artist, performer, music minister, James Cleveland, Rev. 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.. James William Flynn was the son of James and Serilda Jane Toney Flynn. At his last GMWA appearance, he was thin and frail, collapsed, and was rushed to the hospital. Before bodyguards asked her to leave, Ervin read a statement she said was signed by her daughter. Copyright 2023 Interactive One, LLC. His succession as king, when the elder Cleveland died, was contested by Stephen Caulker. The Gospel Music Workshop in Detroit is referred to as one of his greatest works. JENNIFER BOWLES February 9, 1991. She even sang with them at James Cleveland Funeral(I was there) she the one got Kurt an addition with her Dad to help Kurt start a new Group and the rest was history. Peace Be Still also stayed on the Billboard charts for at least fifteen years after its release. Cleveland migrated to Los Angeles,Ca., as Minister of Music at Grace Memorial Church of God in Christ. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. 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.". By reputation, Cleveland could arrive in any town and assemble a 300-voice choir in three days. The Rev. The Fan Who Knew Too Much by Anthony Heilbut, Random House, 2012. All Rights Reserved. In 1964, Cleveland re-organized The James Cleveland Singers, which included Odessa McCastle, Roger Roberts, and Gene Viale (who became the first Latin-American to integrate soul gospel and sing with the Cleveland Singers). From 1985 to 1988, Cleveland launched his own independent record label, King James Records, which was manufactured and distributed by Detroit's own Sound of Gospel/Nine Records, Inc. James lived at address. Married Claude William Harvey (1872 - 1956). "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. "Some of my colleagues protest too greatly," Wiley says. Cleveland died of AIDS, Harris said, and infected him with HIV. Thomas could not be reached for comment Tuesday. Dennis W. Wiley, pastor of Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ. Earlier in 1990, he was rushed to a hospital in Washington, D.C., with severe respiratory problems. The Gospel Sound: Good News in Hard Times (25th Anniversary Edition) by Anthony Heilbut, Limelight, 1997. Cleveland was born Dec. 5, 1931, and grew up on the South Side of Chicago. Cleveland was nominated this year for a Grammy for Having Church in the best gospel album by a choir or chorus category. "Ninety-nine and a half won't do," Rosetta sang, "you've got to make a hundred." He was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1984. Gospel, the old stuff, helped fill the musical void. But Garner said Thomas, who started more than 25 years ago as Clevelands church secretary, acted properly and in accordance with James Clevelands wishes. In 1965 Rev. . hide caption. As early as 1971, in his book The Gospel Sound, Anthony Heilbut wrote about the gospel church as a refuge for gays and lesbians. When I do, I celebrate their queer existence, and mine. 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. "The Apostle of Soul Gospel is James Cleveland" by Robert Windeler and Bob Sherrill, People, March 15, 1976. As early as 1971, in his book The Gospel Sound, Anthony Heilbut wrote about the gospel church as a refuge for gays and lesbians. He later produced her Grammy-winning gospel album, Amazing Grace.. [12][13], Following Cleveland's death in February 1991, a number of controversies arose surrounding his estate, which at the time was estimated to be worth between $4 and $6 million. [4] He left and returned to the Caravans a number of times to join other groups, such as the Gospel All-Stars and the Gospel Chimes, where he mixed pop ballad influences with traditional shouting. Wher Where Is Traylor Howard from Monk Now? He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 6742 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California. "And the Choir Sings On" by Rhonda Graham, Wilmington News Journal, October 23, 1994. Most of the singers I listened to were queer, like me, but I didn't know that then. Check out the interesting posts of the young Cleveland. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. 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. "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. 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. Jim resided in Sturgis most of his life with the exception of the years he lived in Kalamazoo and Valparaiso, Indiana. LOS ANGELES (AP) _ The Rev. James Cleveland married Betsey Parker. 1791) was King of the Banana Islands in Sierra Leone. Cleveland's condition became apparent before his death. Martin, who led the first mixed-gender gospel group, went on to sell Cleveland's songs through her publishing house. Later, he moved into the home of the Rev. Lashone's Instagram posts see her having fun around people who really matter and impact her life. This collaboration produced such recordings as "Heaven That Will Be Good Enough For Me", "Two Wings", and "The Lord Is Blessing Me Right Now". ", 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. In the comment section, a fan quipped that she is the spitting image of her dad. President Obama's recent announcement that he supports same-sex marriage turned the spotlight on reservations many blacks harbor about gay rights. 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. ", Billy Preston, a Cleveland protege, said as much to David Ritz, Aretha's biographer. 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. The Caravans sounded so sincere it hurt. "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. Frances Cleveland Who is Cleveland Brown's wife on Family Guy? His sister was actress Patience Cleveland. 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. they had the . When it was time for Aretha to make a gospel record, she called on Cleveland and his choir. He debuted at Pilgrim Baptist as a boy soprano, and as a teen sang hard enough to damage his voice. 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). The case was settled with undisclosed terms. Sundays at Pilgrim Baptist, Cleveland watched Roberta Martin play piano. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. Cleveland married and had a son William, named after his father. 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. [4], When Cleveland returned to Sierra Leone, the young man was initiated into the Poro society of men in the Banana Islands. On February 9, 1991, James Cleveland died in Culver City, California. It was a system of don't ask, don't tell. He also continued to introduce, appear, and record with some of the most notable gospel choirs and independent artists of the time many of whom became legends in their own right including The Donald Vails Choraleers (Detroit); The Harold Smith Majestics, with whom he recorded the classic "Lord, Help Me to Hold Out"; The Los Angeles Gospel Messengers, the last choir to record with Cleveland before he passed; New Jerusalem Baptist Church Choir from Flint, Michigan; Henry Jackson; The Craig Brothers; The Salem Inspirational Choir from Omaha, Nebraska, with whom he recorded the iconic staple "I Don't Feel Noways Tired"; Richard "Mr. Clean" White; Bishop Albert Jamison & the Triboro Mass Choir; Issac Whittmon; Marva Hines; Debbie Austin; The Fourth of May; Quentella Caldwell; Sara Jordan Powell; The Philadelphia Mass Choir; The Houston Mass Choir; The New Jersey Mass Choir; and the award-winning Charles Fold Singers, from Cincinnati , Ohio, with whom Cleveland recorded five albums, including the Grammy-winning 1979 release, Make Me an Instrument. 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. The Apostolic Tabernacle Mass Choir performs in Oakland, Calif., in 2010. And the fact that they often hold leadership positions in their congregations is the worst kept secret in black America. He was a minister who established the Cornerstone Institutional Baptist Church in Los Angeles. It grew to 200 chapters with 20,000 members nationwide. Franklin, father of soul legend Miss Franklin. James Cleveland, Cleveland, James. With fewer than a dozen members, no sign to mark it, no painted windows, no cross. 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. Born Nov.. was james cleveland married The Bay Area in the 1970s had arguably the most visible presence of LGBT members in black churches, just as the broader gay rights movement had gained momentum in the region. James was the son of Richard H. Sims and Rebecca Anderson Sims. Cleveland married and had a son William, named after his father. 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. It was the root. Phillips would go on in later years to write Roberta Martin's last recorded song, "I Have Hope". James Cleveland, Cleveland, James. Mr. Cleveland was born Dec. 5, 1931, and grew up on the South Side of Chicago. Andre. 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. Bishop Yvette Flunder of Oakland, Calif., is openly gay and the founder of The Fellowship, an organization of black pastors and churches openly welcoming of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members. With song that included "Precious Memories", "God will take care of you" and "Mary Don't You Weep". Irrespective of the controversies, the singer is still greatly appreciated and loved. Reports have it that he is survived by a daughter, a brother, and three sisters. James W. Sims, 1833-1891. 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. 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. When I left the church, I tried to keep the best pieces, pieces that are as much punk as gospel: to keep an eye out for the least and the last, to not follow the crowd. I was a homeless, sixteen-year old runaway when two Black women in long robes and headscarves offered me a place to stay. Wiki User. Wow, I know she was married to the guy from Shalamar at one point, but I did NOT know that the Rev. He also was a Baptist minister and founding pastor of the Cornerstone Institutional Baptist Church in Los Angeles. Peter Scolari's Biography, Spouse, Net Worth. Happy Father's Day Rev. 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. James Cleveland and his wife also had a daughter, who died shortly after her marriage to Henry Smeathman. "They would rather suppress their identity than denounce their church," says Sharon J. Lettman-Hicks, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition, an LGBT advocacy group. I was still with the church when Cleveland died, but I was beginning to see my way out. 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. It began in 1968 and soon amassed hundreds of artists. "Without lesbians and gay men," he said, "there could be no gospel music. I was still with the church when Cleveland died, but I was beginning to see my way out. ", Billy Preston, a Cleveland protege, said as much to David Ritz, Aretha's biographer. 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 "The Apostle of Soul Gospel is James Cleveland" by Robert Windeler and Bob Sherrill, People, March 15, 1976. In the 1950's, Cleveland relocated to Detroit, served as organist at C.L. Gospel music legend James Cleveland was born on December 5, 1931 in Chicago. 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. Lashone Cleveland is the only daughter of her gospel singer dad, James Cleveland who passed away in 1991. Cleveland died in 1991, reportedly from heart failure. 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). Left with a gravelly tone and a limited range, Cleveland compensated by focusing on composition, arrangement, and piano. "Without lesbians and gay men," he said, "there could be no gospel music. I prayed earnestly to "get right." Cleveland re-organized The James Cleveland Singers again this time the group was made up of Odessa McCastle, Roger Roberts and Gene Viale. They said they were holiness, sanctified. It's their way of repenting. Sixteen of his albums went gold. At the center of the controversy is the James Cleveland Trust, set up to help fund the Cornerstone church and the Gospel Music Workshop of America. 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). Wiley is a prominent advocate of gay marriage. He recorded several albums with SCC between the years of 1970 and 1990. He founded the workshop in 1968 as a small group of musicians and vocalists. A man who says that he is the adopted son of the late Rev. He spent time at Mahalia Jackson's beauty shop and listened to her hum while she fixed hair. hide caption. On December 9, 1950 Cleveland married Hilary Paterson, and they moved into the . I found a wealth of records at the public library-Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the Davis Sisters, Clara Ward, the Caravans. Cleveland died in 1991, reportedly from heart failure. C. L. Franklin in Detroit, where he was choir director and taught the. James Edward Cleveland (December 5, 1931 - February 9, 1991) was an American gospel singer, musician, and composer. Cleveland died of AIDS, Harris said, and infected him with HIV. ", Johnson describes church choirs as a welcoming community within a community "where you meet other gay people, so it becomes a form of socializing. I took encouragement from gospel music. "James Cleveland Infected L.A. Then in 1963 he recorded his critically acclaimed Gospel Million Seller album Peace Be Still. Marjorie was born in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania to Hinkley. Family life. I Was Born This Way: A Gay Preacher's Journey Through Gospel by Carl Bean, Simon & Schuster, 2010. 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