James “Jim” Gilstrap, a singer whose credit embrace the Good occasions The theme music and Stevie Marvel’s “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” has handed away. He was 79 years outdated.
Gilstrap’s nephew and household spokesman, Geoffrey “Geoff Gil” Gilstrap, mentioned he died Saturday of pure causes.
Gilstrap sang the music for Good occasions, which ran from 1974 to 1979, starring Blinky Williams. The catchy, gospel-tinged music (“Maintain your head above water/Make a wave when you possibly can”) was composed by Dave Grusin with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman.
Gilstrap was a featured vocalist in Stevie Marvel’s band Wonderlove and contributed to most of the singer’s recordings. He sang the primary two strains of Marvel’s “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” (“You’re the sunshine of my life/That is why I am going to at all times be right here”). Singer Lani Groves sang the subsequent two strains (“You are the apple of my eye/Eternally you will keep in my coronary heart”) earlier than Marvel’s vocals got here in, with Gilstrap and Groves persevering with to sing alongside. The music, from Marvel’s 1972 album speaking ebookreceived the Grammy Award for Greatest Male Pop Vocal Efficiency.
Gilstrap additionally labored on Marvel albums fantastic love And Interior visions.
In 1975, he signed a recording contract with Chelsea Data and launched a single, “Swing Your Daddy”, which reached quantity 4 on the UK Singles Chart and quantity 10 on the US Billboard Black Singles. The music peaked at quantity 64 in Australia. He launched an album, Speaking about love, in 1976.
All through his profession, Gilstrap has additionally collaborated with Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson, The Jacksons, Aretha Franklin, Anita Baker, Whitney Houston, James Ingram, George Benson, Invoice Withers, Gladys Knight, Luther Vandross, Patti LaBelle, Kenny Loggins, Dolly Parton, Teddy Pendergrass, Stanley Clarke, Boz Scaggs and others.
“Jim was one of the crucial revered session singers of his era, bringing his highly effective, soulful voice to numerous recordings that helped outline the sound of standard music,” his nephew mentioned.
Born on November 10, 1946, Gilstrap was the final surviving member of a household of 10 siblings. He’s survived by his spouse, Gloria, and his kids.