Gospel just doesn't get any better than the music put forth by The Mighty Clouds of Joy that first formed in 1959 in Los Angeles, California. They were one of the first gospel acts that introduced the traditional quartet vocal style rather than just the sound of a solo artist or a choir. They characterized Southern Gospel in a way that had not been done before and even incorporated the sounds of funk, soul and disco to gain a broader following of fans. Their joyous and passionate attitudes, reflected in each one of their songs, is part of what drew fans into their style and sound. The 1950s came alive with the sounds of gospel and The Mighty Clouds of Joy were at the forefront.

After the group formed, they recorded their debut in 1960 with the single "Steal Away to Jesus." They quickly followed its success with their debut LP called Family Circle. During this time, the Mighty Clouds of Joy established themselves as qualified showmen and were constantly hailed for their well choreographed and colorful performances onstage. What The Mighty Clouds of Joy also did was incorporate the use of bass, drums and keyboards to gain a younger appeal. They subsequently became the very first gospel act to appear on the television show Soul Train. It was here that they performed their disco sensation "Mighty High," which created a sensation among the listeners.

They also famously performed and recorded with other well known artists of the time including Marvin Gaye, the Rolling Stones and Paul Simon. The Mighty Clouds of Joy remained active through the 1990s, although they went through several lineup changes. The Mighty Clouds of Joy can be thanked for making gospel music more accessible to listeners and actually put the genre at the forefront of mainstream sounds during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, thanks to their unique and modern day appeal.