Jim Gilstrap, Singer on 'Good Times' Theme and Stevie Wonder Song, Dies at 79
Originally published Jul 20, 2026
By Kimberly Nordyke · The Hollywood Reporter — Movies
AI-generated summary based on The Hollywood Reporter — Movies · Aggregated by Filmarian · Human-reviewed and approved on Jul 20, 2026
Key points
- Jim Gilstrap sang the theme song for the TV show 'Good Times' with Blinky Williams.
- He contributed vocals to Stevie Wonder's Grammy-winning song 'You Are the Sunshine of My Life.'
- Gilstrap had a solo hit in 1975 with 'Swing Your Daddy,' which charted in the U.K. and U.S.
- He worked on several of Stevie Wonder's albums, including Wonderlove and Innervisions.
- Throughout his career, Gilstrap collaborated with artists like Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson, and Whitney Houston.
Jim Gilstrap, known for singing the theme song of the TV show 'Good Times' and contributing vocals to Stevie Wonder's Grammy-winning track 'You Are the Sunshine of My Life,' has died at 79. He also had a solo hit in 1975 with 'Swing Your Daddy.' Gilstrap's career included collaborations with notable artists such as Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson, and Whitney Houston.
Read the original story: The Hollywood Reporter — Movies — by Kimberly Nordyke