James “Jim” Gilstrap, singer whose credits include Good times The theme song and “You’re the Sunshine of My Life” by Stevie Wonder have died. He was 79 years old.
Gilstrap’s nephew and family spokesman, Jeffrey “Geoff Gill” Gilstrap, said he died Saturday of natural causes.
Gilstrap sang the song for happy times, Which ran from 1974 to 1979 with Blinky Williams. The catchy, gospel-tinged tune (“Keep your head above the water/Make a wave when you can”) was written by Dave Grusin with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman.
Gilstrap was a featured vocalist with Stevie Wonder’s Wonderlove and has contributed to many of the singer’s recordings. He sang the first two lines of Wonder’s song “You’re the Sunshine of My Life” (“You’re the sunshine of my life / That’s why I’ll always be there”). Singer Lanny Groves sang the next two lines (“You’re the apple of my eye / You’ll be in my heart forever”) before Wonder’s vocals began, with Gilstrap and Groves continuing to sing backup. The song is from Wonder’s 1972 album A talking bookwon a Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance.
Gilstrap also worked on Wonder albums Wonderlove and Enervisions.
In 1975, he signed a recording contract with Chelsea Records and released a single, “Swing Your Daddy,” which reached No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 10 on the US Billboard Black Singles Chart. The song peaked at number 64 in Australia. And he released an album, love words, In 1976.
Throughout his career, Gilstrap also collaborated with Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson, The Jacksons, Aretha Franklin, Anita Baker, Whitney Houston, James Ingram, George Benson, Bill Withers, Gladys Knight, Luther Vandross, Patti LaBelle, Kenny Loggins, Dolly Parton, Teddy Pendergrass, Stanley Clarke, Boz Skaggs and others.
“Jim was one of the most respected singers of his generation, bringing his powerful, soulful voice to countless recordings that helped define the sound of popular music,” his nephew said.
Gilstrap was born on November 10, 1946, the last surviving member of a family of 10 siblings. He is survived by his wife, Gloria, and his children.
