First Name |
James
|
Last Name |
Cleveland
|
Full Name at Birth |
James Edward Cleveland
|
Alternative Name |
Rev. James Cleveland
|
Birthday |
5th December, 1931
|
Birthplace |
Chicago, Illinois, USA
|
Died |
9th February, 1991
|
Place of Death |
Culver City, California, USA
|
Cause of Death |
Congestive heart failure (AIDS-related ?)
|
Buried |
Inglewood Park Cemetery, Inglewood, Los Angeles County, California, USA
|
Build |
Average
|
Eye Color |
Brown - Dark
|
Hair Color |
Black
|
Zodiac Sign |
Sagittarius
|
Sexuality |
DISPUTED
|
Ethnicity |
Black
|
Nationality |
American
|
Occupation Text |
Gospel singer, musician, composer, arranger, recording artist, performer, music minister
|
Occupation |
Singer
|
Claim to Fame |
Known as the 'King of Gospel music'.
|
Music Genre (Text) |
Gospel, Traditional Black Gospel, Urban Contemporary Gospel, Modern Soul, soul music
|
Instrument (text) |
Vocals, Piano
|
Record Label |
BYG, Gamble and Huff, HOB, HRB Music Company, King James, Musidisc, Nashboro, Phoenix, Savoy, Sonorous, Soul Parade, States, Thunderbird, UpFront
|
Associated Acts |
Albertina Walker, Roberta Martin, The Caravans, The Gospel All-Stars, The Gospel Chimes, The Gospelaires, The James Cleveland Singers, Southern California Community Choir, Aretha Franklin, Gospel Music Workshop of America, The Angelic Choir, Salem Inspirational Choir, Charles Fold Singers, New Jerusalem Baptist Church Choir, Voices of Watts, The Craig Brothers, Henry Jackson, Quentella Caldwell, Marva Hines, Rev. Issac Whittmon, Sara Jordan Powell, L.A. Gospel Messengers, Debbie Austin & Unity, Issac Whittmon
|
James Edward Cleveland (December 5, 1931 – February 9, 1991) was an American gospel singer, musician, and composer. 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, soul, pop, and jazz in arrangements for mass choirs. Throughout his career, Cleveland appeared on hundreds of recordings and earned 4 Grammy Awards. He was the first gospel musician to earn a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1984. For his trailblazing accomplishments, he is regarded by many to be one of the greatest gospel singers that ever lived. He is best known for his gospel classics, "Lord, Help Me To Hold Out," "Peace Be Still," "I Don't Feel No Ways Tired", “Where Is Your Faith," "The Love Of God," "God Has Smiled On Me'" and his soul stirring rendition of Gladys Knight & The Pips "You're The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me."