Jim Gilstrap facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jim Gilstrap
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| Birth name | James Earl Gilstrap |
| Born | November 10, 1946 Daingerfield, Texas, U.S. |
| Genres | Pop, soul |
| Occupations | Singer |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1967–present |
| Labels | Chelsea Records |
James Earl Gilstrap (born November 10, 1946) is an American singer and session musician. He is best known for his 1975 solo hit single "Swing Your Daddy", as well as singing co-lead to the theme from the TV series Good Times.
Contents
Career
Gilstrap was born November 10, 1946, in Daingerfield, Texas to Jodie and Pearlie Mae (Tolbert) Gilstrap. He joined the U.S. Navy Reserve. He began his career in the music industry when he returned from serving in the Vietnam War. Early groups he worked with include the Doodletown Pipers and The Cultures.
In the early 1970s, Gilstrap was one of the backing vocalists in Stevie Wonder's backing outfit, "Wonderlove", appearing on Wonder's albums, Talking Book and Innervisions. Gilstrap sang the opening two lines of the Wonder song, "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" (with Lani Groves singing the next two lines). He subsequently signed a recording contract with Chelsea Records in 1975. His recording of the Kenny Nolan-penned "Swing Your Daddy" was a number 4 hit in the UK Singles Chart in April 1975, and reached number 10 in the U.S. Billboard Black Singles chart. The song peaked at number 64 in Australia.
Gilstrap also recorded two albums of his own during the 1970s. The first, titled Swing Your Daddy, contained three more singles in "I'm on Fire" (covering 5000 Volts; it made number 78 in the U.S.), "House of Strangers" and "Put Out the Fire". The second album, Love Talk (1977), was not as successful.
He worked as a session artist for the UK singer Elkie Brooks on her album Live and Learn (1979), among other performances.
He can be heard in a vocal performance on Quincy Jones' 1974 jazz-funk composition "Soul Saga (Song Of The Buffalo Soldier)", from Jones' Body Heat album. Gilstrap also provided the male lead vocals for the theme music to the 1970s television program Good Times. "I've Got You Where I Want You" (1975) was used in the soundtrack of the film Three Days of the Condor. In addition, he sang the theme song for the 1990s cartoon series TaleSpin. More recently he did an original song for the Japanese film Survive Style 5+ entitled "A Lament".
He worked with the group Side Effect on their track "Run, Run, Run" that was released on Bell Records.
Discography
- Solo
- Swing Your Daddy (1975)
- Love Talk (1976)
- as Side Effect member
- Effective (1973)
- with Tour De 4force 1
(with Joyce Vincent Wilson, Pam Vincent, Theresa Davis, and Scherrie Payne of The Supremes)
- Quiet Moon (2009)
- with Joyce Vincent, Pam Vincent and the Altair All-Star Choir
- La La Peace Song (2018)
Credits
Gilstrap's other recording credits include:
- Aaron Neville's Soulful Christmas (1993) (Choir Member, Background Vocals)
- The Tattooed Heart (1995) (Background Vocals)
- Believe (2003)
- Christmas & Hits Duos (2008)
- I Know I've Been Changed (2010)
Amaia Montero
- Amaia Montero (2008)
- 2 (2011)
- A Christmas to Remember (1999) (Choir Member)
- Something About You (1981)
- Too Tough (1983)
- The Songstress (1983)
- Rapture (1986)
- The Best of Anita Baker (2002)
- Sweet Love: The Very Best of Anita Baker (2002)
- Who's Zoomin' Who? (1985)
- Aretha (1986)
- Greatest Hits: 1980-1994 (1994)
- Knew You Were Waiting: The Best of Aretha Franklin 1980-1998 (2012)
- Fate for Breakfast (1979)
- Songbird (1978)
- Higher Ground (1997)
- Making Music (1975)
- The Essential Bill Withers (2013)
Billy Preston and Syreeta
- Billy Preston & Syreeta (1981)
- Boney's Funky Christmas (1996)
- Silk Degrees (1976)
- Down Two Then Left (1977)
- Hits! (1980)
- My Time: The Anthology (1969–1997) (1997)
Brainstorm
- Funky Entertainment (1979)
- Sonny & Brownie (1973)
- Young Hearts Run Free (1976) (Background Vocals)
- House of Love (1978) (Background Vocals)
- Absence Without Love/On & On (2009)
- Simply Carrie (1977) (Background Vocals)
- Let's Talk About Love (1997)
- My Love: Essential Collection (2008)
- Crowded House (1986)
Dana Glover
- Testimony (2002)
Dave Grusin
- 3 Days of the Condor Soundtrack (1975)
- Lucky Man (1993)
- Off the Beaten Path (1996)
- The Christmas Album (1993) (Choir Member)
- Dee Dee Bridgewater (1976)
- Bad for Me (1979)
- Only the Best of Dee Dee Bridgewater (2009)
- Blue Skies (2004)
- Never Too Far (1989)
- Aquarela do Brasil (1994) (Additional Vocals on "Flower of Bahia")
- The Disney Afternoon Songbook: Music from Hit TV Shows (1990)
- The Music of Disney: A Legacy in Song (1992)
- Disney's Music from the Park (1996)
- Disney's Rock-A-Bye Baby: Soft Hits for Little Rockers (1996)
- Matrix Revolutions [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] (2003)
- Thank You...For F.U.M.L. (Funking Up My Life) (1978)
Donald Byrd and 125th St. NYC
- Donald Byrd and 125th Street, N.Y.C. (1979)
- Tango Palace (1979)
Elkie Brooks
- Rich Man's Woman (1975)
- Live & Learn (1979)
- The Fox (1981)
- Duets (1993)
England Dan & John Ford Coley
- Dr. Heckle & Mr. Jive (1978)
- The Very Best of England Dan & John Ford Coley (1996)
Erich Kunzel
- The Magical Music of Disney (1995)
- Tutte Storie (1993)
- Dove C'e Musica (1996)
- Eros (1997)
- Calma Apparente (2005)
- Ali e Radici (2009)
Everlast
- Eat at Whitey's (2000)
- Love, War and the Ghost of Whitey Ford (2008)
Funk
- Priced to Sell (1974)
- Lovelock! (1976)
- Close Encounters (1978)
- Give Me the Night (1980)
- While the City Sleeps (1986)
- The Greatest Hits of All (2003)
- The Very Best of George Benson: The Greatest Hits of All (2004)
George Duke
- Snapshot (1992)
- Illusions (1995) (Additional Vocals on "The Simple Things", Background Vocals)
- Best of George Duke: The Elektra Years (1997)
- Is Love Enough? (1997)
- Cool (2000)
- Face the Music (2002)
- Duke (2005)
- Ultimate George Duke (2007)
- Dukey Treats (2008)
- Dreamweaver (2013)
- George Duke Collection (2014)
- Miss Gladys Knight (1978) (Background Vocals as a member of the Jim Gilstrap Singers)
- Good Woman (1991) (Background Vocals on "Where Would I Be")
Hanne Boel
- Misty Paradise (2001)
Harold Faltermeyer
- Copout (2010)
- Harry Styles (2017)
Harvey Mason
- Marching in the Street (1976)
- Groovin' You (1979)
- Sho Nuff Groovin' You: The Arista Records Anthology 1975-1981 (2017)
- "Easy Baby" (from the film 99 and 44/100% Dead)
- Lite Me Up (1982)
Hiroshima
- Hiroshima (1979) (Background Vocals)
- Odori (1980) (Background Vocals)
- Third Generation (1983) (Can Do Choir Member, Additional Background Vocals)
- Another Place (1985)
- Go (1987) (Background Vocals)
- Ongaku (1988)
- East (1989) (Additional Lead & Background Vocals)
- Providence (1992)
- L. A. (1994) (Background Vocals)
- Carasmatic (1987)
- Looking East (1996)
- It's Your Night (1983)
- It's Real (1989)
- King Kong: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (2005)
- Dad Loves His Work (1981)
- Sweet and Wonderful (1981)
- Hymn for My Soul (2007)
- Roles (1987)
- Sample This (1997)
- The Best of Joe Sample (1998)
- Introducing Joe Sample (2006)
- Rhino Hi-Five: Joe Sample
- Joey Lawrence (1993)
John Hiatt
- Little Head (1997)
John Powell
- Ice Age: The Meltdown [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] (2006)
- Chemistry (1985)
Johnny Gill and Stacy Lattisaw
- Perfect Combination (1984)
- Mathis on Broadway (2000)
Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams
- That's What Friends Are For (1978)
- Just Wanna Rock 'n' Roll (1975)
- Baby Sister (1983)
- 808s & Heartbreak (2008)
- Two Sides of the Moon (1975)
- Kelis Was Here (2006)
- Breathless (1992)
- Back to Avalon (1988)
- The Unimaginable Life (1997)
- Leo Sayer (1978)
- Recent Songs (1979)
Linda Lewis
- Woman Overboard (1977)
- Hasten Down the Wind (1976)
- Simple Dreams (1977)
- Living in the USA (1978)
- Greatest Hits, Volume Two (1980)
- The Linda Ronstadt Box Set (1999)
- 3 for One (2000)
- Back to Front (1992)
Livingston Taylor
- Three Way Mirror (1978)
- Songs (1994)
- The Ultimate Luther Vandross [2001] (2001)
- The Essential Luther Vandross (2003)
- Love, Luther (2007)
- The Music of Luther Vandross (2009)
- The Box Set Series (2014)
Lynn Ahrens / Stephen Flaherty / David Newman
- Anastasia: Music From the Motion Picture (1997)
Martha Davis
- Policy (1987)
- Martha Reeves (1974)
- If My Heart Had Wings (1995)
- The One Thing (1993)
- All That Matters (1997)
- Hits 1985-1995: Best of the Best Gold (2003)
- Michael Bolton [Collector's Tin] (2009)
- Off the Wall (1979)
- HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I (1995)
- The Ultimate Collection (2004)
- The Essential Michael Jackson (2005)
- Back Again!!! (1992)
- Stay in Love (1977)
- Come Get to This (1975)
- This Mother's Daughter (1976)
- Forbidden Lover (1987)
- A Lady with a Song (1990)
- Awakening (1979)
- The Dance of Life (1979)
- Victory (1980)
- Confidence (1982)
- Looking at You, Looking at Me (1983)
- The Nature of Things (1985)
- Divine Emotion (1988)
- Ecstasy's Dance: The Best of Narada Michael Walden (1996)
- The Greatest Hits: 1966-1992 (1992)
- Living with War (2006)
Norman Connors
- Take It to the Limit (1980)
- Totally Hot (1978)
- Patrice 1978)
- Pizzazz (1979)
- Posh (1980)
- Now (1984)
- Anything But Ordinary (1994)
- Haven't You Heard – The Best of Patrice Rushen (1996)
Patrick Doyle
- Rise of the Planet of the Apes Soundtrack (2011)
- Patti Austin (1984)
- Winner in You (1986)
- Be Yourself (1989)
- A Little Bit of Love (1974)
- The Best of Paul Williams (2008)
Paul Young
- The Crossing (1993)
- Positive (1988)
- Through the Fire (1994)
Peabo Bryson and Roberta Flack
- Born to Love (1983)
- Let's Love (1974)
- Phyllis Hyman (1977)
- Goddess of Love (1983)
- A Good Day (2008)
- Body Heat (1974)
- Mellow Madness (1975)
- I Heard That!! (1976)
- Roots: The Saga of an American Family (1977)
- The Dude (1981)
- From Q, With Love (1999)
- Q: The Musical Biography of Quincy Jones (2001)
- Rachelle Ferrell (1992)
- Genius Loves Company (2004) (Background Vocals on "Heaven Help Us All")
- Vuelve (1998)
- Goodnight Vienna (1974)
- Ringo the 4th (1977)
- Blue Lights in the Basement (1977)
- Fever (1979)
Russ Freeman and The Rippingtons
- Sahara (1994)
Russell Hitchcock
- Russell Hitchcock (1988)
Santana
- Spirits Dancing in the Flesh (1990)
- Songs of the Beatles (1981)
- Partners (1979)
Seals & Crofts
- Takin' It Easy (1978)
- Kiss of Life (1988)
- Let Me Be Your Angel (1980)
- With You (1981)
- Sneakin' Out (1982)
- Sixteen (1983)
- The Very Best of Stacy Lattisaw (1998)
- Time Exposure (1984)
- Guitar & Bass (2004)
Stanley Clarke and George Duke
- 3 (1990)
- Have You Ever Seen the Rain (1975)
- In the Pocket (1975)
- Betcha (1980)
- On a Misty Night (2002)
Starship
- No Protection (1987)
- Talking Book (1972)
- Innervisions (1973)
- Fulfillingness' First Finale (1974)
- The Definitive Collection (2002)
- Syreeta (1972)
- One to One 1977)
- Set My Love in Motion (1981)
- Truly Blessed (1991)
The Blackbyrds
- Unfinished Business (1976)
- Action (1977)
- Night Grooves: The Blackbyrds' Greatest Hits (1978)
- Better Days (1980)
The Brothers Johnson
- Look Out for #1 (1976)
- Right on Time (1977)
- Light Up the Night (1980)
- Triumph (1980)
- The Jacksons: An American Dream (1992)
- The Best Remixes (1998)
- Original Album Classics (2008)
The Party
- The Party (1990) (Additional Background Vocals on "Storm Me")
The Rippingtons
- The Best of The Rippingtons (1997)
The Simpsons
- Testify (2007) (Studio Singer, Character Voice)
- I've Got the Music in Me (1975)
Tower of Power
- Direct (1981)
- Whitney (1987)
- Backstreets of Desire (1992)
- Loup Garou (1995)
Willy DeVille & The Mink DeVille Band
- Big Easy Fantasy (1995)
See also
- List of performers on Top of the Pops
