James “Jim” Gilstrap, the sonorous tenor heard on classics such as Stevie Wonder’s “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” and as the co-lead on the television series theme song Good Times, has died. Gilstrap passed away of natural causes in Los Angeles on July 18. He was 79 years old.
In a career that spanned more than five decades, Gilstrap crafted a sterling reputation as one of the music industry’s most versatile and in-demand session vocalists. He also charted a pair of R&B hits as a solo artist in 1975: “Swing Your Daddy” (No. 10 in the U.S.; No. 4 in the U.K.) and “I’m on Fire” (No. 20) — both featured on his Chelsea Records debut studio album, Swing Your Daddy. A year later, Gilstrap released a second studio album, Love Talk.
Related
Gone But Not Forgotten: Musicians We Lost in 2026
Noah Kahan Concert Among Shows Canceled in New York Due to Inclement Weather on Saturday
Martin Garrix Debuts U2 Collab 'Fireflies' With The Edge at Tomorrowland in Belgium
Born Nov. 10, 1946 in Texas, Gilstrap — following a stint in the military and work with other early music groups — became a featured vocalist with Stevie Wonder’s backing band and vocal group Wonderlove in the early ‘70s. It’s Gilstrap singing the opening lines on the Grammy Award-winning “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” from the Talking Book album. Gilstrap also worked on other seminal Wonder albums during this fertile chapter that legend’s career including Innervisions and Fulfillingness’ First Finale.
In addition to his aforementioned solo foray and contribution to the Good Times theme song in 1974, Gilstrap lent his virtuoso tenor to host of projects by a diverse array of stars. Among them: Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Bill Withers, Luther Vandross, Kenny Loggins, Dolly Parton, Stanley Clarke and Boz Scaggs.
The last surviving member of 10 siblings, Gilstrap is survived by his wife Gloria as well as children and grandchildren. Memorial arrangements are pending.
Hence then, the article about jim gilstrap stevie wonder and good times vocalist dies at 79 was published today ( ) and is available on billboard ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Jim Gilstrap, Stevie Wonder and ‘Good Times’ Vocalist, Dies at 79 )
Also on site :
- There Are Over 50 Spots to Find DOLE Whip at Walt Disney World—Including These Genius Versions You Didn't Realize Existed
- The minimum wage is now the lowest it’s been in 70 years—making the federal wage floor ‘officially a poverty wage,’ report finds
- Iran-US war latest: Iran warns ‘not a single drop’ of oil will pass through Hormuz as US ends ninth night of strikes