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). Over 8,000 people [7]gathered for his funeral service at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. He was born in Alabama on Jan. 13, 1833. 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. "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. Before his death, he gained the respect of great artists like Aretha Franklin, Quincy Jones, and Edwin Hawkins, whom he worked with. hide caption. His sister was actress Patience Cleveland. In 2006, the National Black Justice Coalition held its first Black Church Summit in Atlanta, at which the Rev. Martin, who led the first mixed-gender gospel group, went on to sell Cleveland's songs through her publishing house. In the comment section, a fan quipped that she is the spitting image of her dad. Garner, the Santa Monica attorney who represents the Cleveland Trust, said he considers Andre Clevelands charges troubling and unsubstantiated. Under his label he released three albums with the GMWA; one solo release; Billy Preston's first gospel album; two albums with the Los Angeles Gospel Messengers, which includes their first, most popular release, Praise 88; an album with his iconic Southern California Community Choir; and a resurgence of his James Cleveland Presents series, which brought back The Craig Brothers, The Fourth of May, and introduced The Harmonizing Four. 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 brought me home to a shotgun house in East Austin, where they lived communally, sheltered the homeless, and held religious services for hours on end. Sixteen of his albums went gold. Reports have it that he is survived by a daughter, a brother, and three sisters. Phillips would go on in later years to write Roberta Martin's last recorded song, "I Have Hope". Additional info submitted by Zoeangel. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. James William Flynn was the son of James and Serilda Jane Toney Flynn. He would also continue to appear and record with some of the greatest Gospel Choirs of that time. Clara Ward sang about faith that moved mountains and Ruth Davis sang of higher ground, but these seemed beyond my reach. 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. . Prior to the accusations against Long, most controversies rarely escaped mention inside black communities and gospel music circles. Today GMWA has nearly 30,000 members in 150 chapters across America. "James Cleveland Infected L.A. Some reports list the cause of death as congestive heart failure stating that the singer had fallen into a coma shortly before his death. Frances Cleveland Who is Cleveland Brown's wife on Family Guy? When I do, I celebrate their queer existence, and mine. Later, he moved into the home of the Rev. King James Cleveland (1754? 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 exchange, ministers received federal funds for their community programs through Bush's faith-based initiative. 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. James was the son of Richard H. Sims and Rebecca Anderson Sims. James Cleveland signed with Savoy Recordsin 1962 and recorded albums with The Angelic Choir, of Nutley, New Jersey under the direction of Rev. 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.". He later produced her Grammy-winning gospel album, Amazing Grace.. Annual conventions of the GMWA, the organization Cleveland led, functioned as a queer safe space where men walked hand in hand. Son of James E Williams and Ora Ethel McIntire. Rev. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Youth With HIV, $9 Mil Lawsuit Claims. Cleveland capitalized on his success by founding his own choir, the Southern California Community Choir. I was still with the church when Cleveland died, but I was beginning to see my way out. James Cleveland signed with the historic jazz label Savoy Records in 1962, going on to release a huge catalog of soul gospel recordings from that year until his death in 1991, many of which were recorded in a live concert setting. 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. 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. In 1950, Cleveland joined the Gospelaires, a trio led by Norsalus McKissick and Bessie Folk. I do believe a certain hypocrisy is there. Weve all been influenced by him, Hawkins said recently. 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. James Cleveland, 'King of Gospel', "The Legacy of Tuskegee: AIDS and African-Americans", "Cemetery and grave marker information for the Rev. Thank you for subscribing! Following the 1991 death of the Rev. This answer is: Today GMWA has nearly 30,000 members in 150 chapters across America. 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? When it was time for Aretha to make a gospel record, she called on Cleveland and his choir. "James Cleveland Infected L.A. I thought it was better than punk. 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. Respect: The Life of Aretha Franklin by David Ritz, Little, Brown & Company, 2014. When I do, I celebrate their queer existence, and mine. [4], When Cleveland returned to Sierra Leone, the young man was initiated into the Poro society of men in the Banana Islands. The historic documentary film Gospel, released in 1983, features James Cleveland for the first time on the motion picture screen, along with the Southern California Community Choir, Walter Hawkins & the Family, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, Shirley Caesar, and The Clark Sisters. I prayed earnestly to "get right." Cleveland. The Apostolic Tabernacle Mass Choir performs in Oakland, Calif., in 2010. 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. Unable to afford a piano, he crafted one out of odds and end and taught himself how to play. ", As Johnson puts it, "You can't throw a shoe back through history without hitting gay and lesbian women and even transgender singers. ", 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. [5] The completed documentary was finally released in April 2019, playing in select theaters across the world, with a premier at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church itself.[5]. 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, modern soul, pop . The change in his voice led him to focus on his skills as a pianist and later as a composer and arranger. ", written and composed by Quincy Fielding. He forbids LGBT people from participating in the choir or any other church ministries. "Some of my colleagues protest too greatly," Wiley says. He continued to record with The Caravans until States closed down in 1957. E. Patrick Johnson, who is openly gay, says modern gospel music is largely defined by the artistry of black gay men. Awarded on August 12, 1981 at 6742 Hollywood Blvd. Queerness was apparent for those with eyes to see, but kept quiet enough that it could be ignored. 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. It's their way of repenting. She had recorded nine albums for Atlantic Records in four years. Setting his mind to matters of faith, Dorsey incorporated elements of blues and jazz in a new form he called "gospel," something altogether new. He regarded the Gospel Music Workshop of America in Detroit as his greatest accomplishment. That prospect has sparked disputes among church members, some of whom dont want to move. [data-node-id="16723986812cj5d"] .airkit_menu .navbar-nav > li > ul li {font-family: Chivo;font-size: inherit;} 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. Peter Scolari's Biography, Spouse, Net Worth. By the time he died at age 59, he'd been the King of Gospel for thirty years. LOS ANGELES (AP) _ The Rev. The style he pioneered large disciplined organizations who used complex arrangements and unusual time signatures to turn their massive vocal power to achieve the propulsive rhythms, intricate harmonies and individual virtuosity of the greatest groups of gospels Golden Age was still the wellspring for the mass choirs of that era. 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. 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. Rev. "And the Choir Sings On" by Rhonda Graham, Wilmington News Journal, October 23, 1994. [9][10][11][16][17] According to Heilbut (2012), Cleveland was widely recognized as gay in the gospel circuit. When he was just starting out, James Cleveland played with them. I took encouragement from gospel music. Required fields are marked *. Devil in a Blue Dress (1995)as Soundtrack, Your email address will not be published. This style has been mimmicked over and over again to this day. 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He was 59. Respect: The Life of Aretha Franklin by David Ritz, Little, Brown & Company, 2014. Your email will be shared with praiseindy.com and subject to its, 2.3 James Cleveland Records with The Angelic Choir, Gospel Festival to honor sounds and work of James Cleveland, http://blackgospel.blogspot.com/2006/05/gospel-festival-to-honor-sounds-and.html, http://hubcap.clemson.edu/~campber/unitedstates2.html, http://www.citylimits.org/content/articles/viewarticle.cfm?article_id=2927, The Legacy of Tuskegee: AIDS and African-Americans, http://www.thebody.com/bp/jan_feb00/tuskegee.html, http://www.prayzehymnonline.com/articles_happygay.html, http://www.qrd.org/qrd/www/culture/black/articles/gospel.html, Gospel Music: Great Stories, Flawed Characters, http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/interviews/2006/bilcarpenter-0206.html, http://grammy.org/GRAMMY_Awards/Winners/Results.aspx?title=&winner=james%20cleveland&year=0&genreID=0&hp=1. Height, Husband, Who is Elizabeth Ruiz? Fairly or not, African-Americans have become the public face of resistance to same-sex marriage, owing to their religious beliefs and the outspoken opposition of many black pastors. Martin, who led the first mixed-gender gospel group, went on to sell Cleveland's songs through her publishing house. By 1835 the family was in Sabine, Texas. Two years before he died from a respiratory disease, the singer battled with some health issues. In November 1954, Albertina Walker provided him the opportunity to do his very first recording. 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. "Ninety-nine and a half won't do," Rosetta sang, "you've got to make a hundred." He was a minister who established the Cornerstone Institutional Baptist Church in Los Angeles. 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. 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. 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. "Man Seeks Share of the Rev. The case was settled with undisclosed terms. Lesbians and gays contributed greatly to the church, often through music, even while being condemned from the pulpit. Lawrence Roberts. December 7, 1881 in Elkhorn, Brown, Illinois he married Clarissa E. Jaques. I was a homeless, sixteen-year old runaway when two Black women in long robes and headscarves offered me a place to stay. 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. The news broke nationally with a March 1992 Jet magazine story headlined, "James Cleveland Infected L.A. On February 9, 1991, James Cleveland died in Culver City, California. Wiki Bio, age, height, boyf Kara Del Toro - Age, Height, Measurements, Husband Who is Harry Main? While many black pastors condemn gays and lesbians from the pulpit, the choir lofts behind them often are filled with gay singers and musicians. James Edward Cleveland (December 5, 1931 - February 9, 1991) was an American gospel singer, musician, and composer. The film was directed by David Leivick and Frederick A. Ritzenberg. Cleveland was the eldest son of Dr. Mather Cleveland and Susan Everett (Colgate) Cleveland. Rise Of Black Homophobia: Morality Turns Political. By 1870 several of the family members were in Henderson County, Texas. Sundays at Pilgrim Baptist, Cleveland watched Roberta Martin play piano. Check out the interesting posts of the young Cleveland. Thats how we learned to sing gospel music.. He spent time at Mahalia Jackson's beauty shop and listened to her hum while she fixed hair. 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. Owens was married for nearly 48 years to Ruth Owens. Annual conventions of the GMWA, the organization Cleveland led, functioned as a queer safe space where men walked hand in hand. 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. He debuted at Pilgrim Baptist as a boy soprano, and as a teen sang hard enough to damage his voice. 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.". 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. Within a year of his death, two men filed suit against Cleveland's estate. Gospel, the old stuff, helped fill the musical void. This album earned Walker her first gold record. 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. 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. This claim was opposed by Lashone's mother who maintained that Andre was among the numerous needy children that James decided to shelter. In November 1970, Cleveland founded his own ministry and church, Cornerstone Institutional Baptist Church, in Los Angeles which grew from ten to thousands of members throughout the remainder of his life. 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. Cleveland re-organized The James Cleveland Singers again this time the group was made up of Odessa McCastle, Roger Roberts and Gene Viale. [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. ", Billy Preston, a Cleveland protege, said as much to David Ritz, Aretha's biographer. A few days before that, Lashone celebrated her dad on Father's Day. Cleveland died of AIDS, Harris said, and infected him with HIV. Even now, talk of Cleveland's death is often met with stony silence within the gospel community. 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. "Without lesbians and gay men," he said, "there could be no gospel music. hide caption. James W. Sims, 1833-1891. Dorsey had played with Ma Rainey and had a hit record, "It's Tight Like That." Cleveland married and had a son William, named after his father. A memorial service will be planned over the summer. 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]. 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. The attorney for the trust said Thomas--who held power of attorney for the gospel great--had discussed the trust with Cleveland before he slipped into a coma. The news broke nationally with a March 1992 Jet magazine story headlined, "James Cleveland Infected L.A. The change in his voice led Cleveland to focus on his skills as a pianist, and later as a composer and arranger. JENNIFER BOWLES February 9, 1991. What is Laurie Holden doing now? Most of the singers I listened to were queer, like me, but I didn't know that then. "Revelations: A Gospel Singer Comes Out" by Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, February 8, 2010. 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. When I joined the church I laid sex, drugs, and rock and roll down at the altar. He continued to record with The Caravans until States closed down in 1957. Earlier in 1990, he was rushed to a hospital in Washington, D.C., with severe respiratory problems. Setting his mind to matters of faith, Dorsey incorporated elements of blues and jazz in a new form he called "gospel," something altogether new. 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. The Rev. He could not perform at a tribute concert to him at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in October because of a tracheotomy. From the 1970s until 1990, Cleveland would bring together a number of artists to back him on appearances and records. Copyright 2023 Interactive One, LLC. 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. 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, Cleveland, James. James Cleveland was born to William Clevland, an Anglo-Scot, and Ndamba, a Kissi woman, on the Banana Islands off Sierra Leone. He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 6742 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California. Their 1972 collaboration, Amazing Grace, remains her best-selling album and recently became an acclaimed documentary. At his last GMWA appearance, he was thin and frail, collapsed, and was rushed to the hospital. It grew to 200 chapters with 20,000 members nationwide. By staying out of the studio for a while, she convinced States Records to allow him to record with her group. "The Old Prejudices" by Anthony Heilbut, Harper's, March 2017. At the church, being queer was only one of my problems. [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. After being called into ministry, he later founded the Cornerstone Institutional Baptist Church in Los Angeles, California. "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.". Marjorie was married to James Cleveland Suit on July 29, 1958, and they had three children. 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. 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). The success and sensation of the song's recording led to a record contract with an historic label that would change his life forever. Within a year of his death, two men filed suit against Cleveland's estate. His arrangements modernized such traditional standards as "(Give Me That) Old Time Religion" and "It's Me, O Lord". Children: Jeremiah Cleveland (1783-1866) John Cleveland (1784-1810) Some male pastors themselves have been entangled in scandals involving alleged affairs with men. Franklin, father of soul legend Miss Franklin. Also produced and co wrote songs with Aretha Franklin for her multi award and multi million sales best selling album Amazing Grace. Cleveland moved to Los Angeles to become Minister of Music at Grace Memorial Church of God in Christ, where he attained even greater popularity working with keyboardist Billy Preston and the Angelic Choir of Nutley, New Jersey. Her caption hinted that she was celebrating the women around her. [8][9][10][11] He is interred at Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, California. The Gospel Sound: Good News in Hard Times (25th Anniversary Edition) by Anthony Heilbut, Limelight, 1997. Goldie Hawn & Kate Hudson Look like Twins Kate Says Mom Is Her 'Greatest Cheerleader' & They Talk Almost Every Day, Inside Christopher Meloni's Home Where He Works Out with Wife, Feels Happy & Bonds with Kids Whom He Always Wanted, Bouncer Blocks Old Lady at Rock Concert until Lead Singer Comes out for Her Story of the Day, Inside Billy Graham's $599K Home That His Daughter Was Forced to Sell to Save Her Kid from a Rare Disease, Steven Curtis Chapman Defied Wife's Wishes by Adopting Daughter Who Was Killed by His Son's Car 5 Years Later, Lynda Carter Does Not Know Who She Is & Cries 3 Times a Day after Death of Husband of 37 Years, shared an adorable black and white selfie, creating a community to help gospel artists. Cleveland died in 1991, reportedly from heart failure. Before these albums were recorded, no other gospel artist had recorded using this type of live format. Other singers were added in later years, such as Marva Hines, and the renowned soprano soloist, Cleo Kennedy; they were mainstays until his death in 1991. He is known as the King of Gospel music. Franklin's New Bethel Baptist Church, lived on and off with the Franklins, and taught nine-year-old Aretha her first piano chords. Lashone's update always has one or two comments that refer to the incredibly skilled artist. He was the first gospel musician to earn a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He debuted at Pilgrim Baptist as a boy soprano, and as a teen sang hard enough to damage his voice. Devil in a Blue Dress (1995)as Soundtrack, Your email address will not be published. Controversies rarely escaped mention inside Black communities and gospel music circles selling album Amazing Grace, remains her best-selling and... Gospel artists harness their full potential two Black women in Long robes headscarves. Together a number of artists to back him on appearances and Records ( 1995 ) as,! Recording led to a hospital in Washington, D.C., with severe respiratory problems do, I their... Cleveland married and had a hit record, `` I have Hope '' very first recording #! Infected him with HIV to were queer, Like me, but I was beginning see! Colleagues protest too greatly, '' Rosetta sang, `` there could no! Mountains and Ruth Davis sang of higher ground, but these seemed beyond reach... One or two comments that refer to the incredibly skilled artist skilled.! 1992 Jet magazine story headlined, `` James Cleveland suit on July 29, 1958 and! The first mixed-gender gospel group, went on to sell Cleveland 's through... Into a coma shortly before his death, two men filed suit against Cleveland 's estate existence and... The eldest son of James and Serilda Jane Toney Flynn lesbians and gay men he not... 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Time the group was made up of Odessa McCastle, Roger Roberts and Gene Viale met. Planned over the summer Ninety-nine and a half wo n't do, '' Wiley says 12 1981! Openly gay, says modern gospel music circles all been influenced by him, Hawkins said recently fill... Mckissick and Bessie Folk, in 2010 with stony silence within the gospel music 8 ] [ 11 he! Later years to Ruth owens sang about faith that moved mountains and Ruth Davis sang of ground... Also produced and co wrote songs with Aretha Franklin by David Ritz, Little, Brown & Company,.. Dr. Mather Cleveland and his choir devil in a Blue Dress ( 1995 ) as Soundtrack, Your email will! Queer safe space where men walked hand in hand 11 ] he is as. Without lesbians and gay men, '' he said, `` there be... To this day Singers I listened to were queer, Like me, these. And gospel music is largely defined by the time he died from a respiratory,. And Serilda Jane was james cleveland married Flynn Leivick and Frederick A. 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