James Cleveland, the voice of a generation and a towering figure who brought a new energy to gospel music, was so talented he was crowned the undisputed “King of Gospel.” But beyond the pulpit and recording studios, the late-gospel legend reportedly lived a life shrouded in alleged secrets and scandal that continue to haunt his legacy till this day. His estate after his death took the brunt of the fallout; from lawsuits for money to accusations of AIDS, Cleveland’s alleged double life wasn’t so hush-hush.
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Now, just months before the 35th anniversary of his death and as HIV continues to disproportionately affect the Black community, we’re unearthing the rise and fall of a gospel musician and composer whose career was ultimately defined by both his music and the controversies he left behind.
Where it All Started
James Cleveland was born in Chicago on December 5, 1931. He got his start singing soprano at Pilgrim Baptist Church in the Windy City’s Bronzeville neighborhood. His strained vocal cords as a teenager ultimately turned out to be a blessing in disguise as it contributed to his distinctive, gravelly voice which hallmarked his singing career.
The Gospelaires
Cleveland joined The Gospelaires, a gospel-singing trio with Norsalus McKissick and Bessie Folk in 1950. Not only was he a singer in the group, but also a composer and arranger. He began to modernize traditional gospel standards like “(Give Me That) Old Time Religion” and “It’s Me, O Lord.” After the trio disbanded, Roberta Martin, an associate of the group, hired him as a composer and arranger.
The “King of Gospel” and a Record Deal
As Cleveland began to blend traditional hymns with more contemporary elements of blues and jazz, a new wave of music was birthed, leading him to earn the “King of Gospel” title.
In 1962, Cleveland signed with the historic jazz label Savoy Records, where he would release a vast catalog of soul gospel music. Most of these albums were recorded in a live concert setting at Nutley, New Jersey’s, First Baptist Church and the home of the famous Angelic Choir. Cleveland and the Angelic Choir released two albums.
A Household Name
“Peace Be Still,” a beloved Protestant hymn infused with the melody from “Master, the Tempest Is Raging,” became Cleveland’s calling card. Cleveland recorded “Peace Be Still” live with the Angelic Choir in the mid-1960s.
The song was especially timely, and encouraging, as it was recorded just days after four young Black girls were killed in the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham, Alabama. The album by the same name, often cited as a cornerstone of modern gospel sound, became one of the best-selling gospel albums of all time (selling over a million copies), solidifying Cleveland’s status as a gospel superstar.
The Southern California Community Choir
After moving to Los Angeles to become the Minister of Music at Grace Memorial Church of God in Christ, Cleveland founded his own choir, the Southern California Community Choir.
In November 1970, Cleveland also founded his own ministry, Cornerstone Institutional Baptist Church, in L.A. At the time of his death in February 1991, his church’s membership was over 7,000. With the Southern California Community Choir, he won his first Grammy Award in 1975 for his album, “In the Ghetto.” He went on to release other uplifting anthems, including “I Don’t Feel Noways Tired,” “Lord, Help Me to Hold Out,” and “Jesus Is the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me.”
His Connection With Aretha Franklin
In the 1960s, Cleveland moved to Detroit to become the music director at New Bethel Baptist Church, where the father of Aretha Franklin, C. L. Franklin, was pastor. This connection proved pivotal in 1972 when Cleveland collaborated with the Queen of Soul on her Grammy-winning, multi-million-selling album “Amazing Grace,” which is widely regarded as the greatest gospel album of all time.
Over the span of his career, Cleveland won four Grammy Awards and was the first gospel artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
James Cleveland’s Death in 1991
Cleveland died on February 9, 1991. He was 59. Over 8,000 people attended his funeral service at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles as his death marked the end of an era for gospel music.
While his official cause of death was listed as congestive heart failure, many people in the gospel and Black community speculated that he died from complications related to AIDS. The rumor was fueled by his reported frail appearance in the months leading up to his death. At his last appearance at the Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA), he collapsed and had to be rushed to the hospital. At a 50-year anniversary celebration honoring him, Cleveland could only sit up for short periods.
The Beginning of Lawsuits and Scandals
In October 1991, music producer Andre M. Cleveland, who had lived with the singer, filed a lawsuit against Cleveland’s estate claiming to be his adopted son. His lawsuit wanted a share of the singer’s estate, which at the time was valued between four million and six million. His lawsuit was for a share of Cleveland’s estate because a California law allowed a person to inherit money if they were treated like a child by the deceased, who wanted to adopt them but couldn’t because of a legal roadblock.
The lawsuit was dismissed, but it led to the unfolding of some serious allegations.
Mother of His Alleged Biological Child Comes Forward
After his death, Jean Ervin, who was a member of Cleveland’s church, came forward in October 1991 claiming to be the mother of the singer’s only biological child, a daughter named LaShone Cleveland. Her claim rocked the gospel community because it contradicted the widespread belief that Cleveland had no biological children.
The legal outcome regarding Ervin’s claim hasn’t been publicized and sources suggest the case was settled on undisclosed terms outside of a public court ruling. LaShone, born in 1965, has “I am the daughter of 2 Kings, Jesus & James,” in her Instagram profile’s bio.
Allegations of Sexual Abuse and HIV Infection
Christopher Harris (formerly Christopher Harris Cleveland), who had been Cleveland’s foster son, sued the gospel singer’s estate in February 1992, marking the most severe and public allegations against Cleveland’s character and private life.
Harris claimed Cleveland had sexually abused him for a period of five years and that he had been infected with the HIV virus by the singer. The lawsuit alleged that Cleveland had contracted HIV through same-sex liaisons, which has been subject of much speculation during the later years of his life.
The case was ultimately settled out of court for an undisclosed sum. Because the lawsuit never played out in a court of law, the settlement meant that the specific allegations were never officially proven or disproven, but the lawsuit itself became a central and controversial part of Cleveland’s legacy.
Love and Marriage
Cleveland never married legally, but reportedly lived with a series of “foster sons,” a common euphemism at the time for gay men in the gospel world.
Cleveland’s Sexuality Was an Open Secret, Historian Claims
Anthony Heilbut, a gospel music historian widely recognized as a leading authority on the genre, said Cleveland’s alleged sexual relations with men was an open secret. He claimed Cleveland’s alleged romps with the same sex were a known reality among those in the gospel industry, even if it wasn’t openly discussed.
According to Heilbut, the historical acceptance of gay men for their musical talent while condemning their private lives created a “don’t ask, don’t tell” culture in the church. This environment, in turn, allowed Cleveland’s alleged double life to thrive without questions being asked.
The Devastating Impact
Christopher’s lawsuit was a bombshell that created significant scandal. It was widely reported in the news cycle, including Jet magazine, where it was alleged he was “a practicing homosexual for several years.” The scandal forced a public conversation about both the abuse of power within the music industry and the silence surrounding HIV/AIDS, particularly in the Black church.
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