Jim Gilstrap facts for kids

James Gilstrap is an American singer and a talented "session musician." This means he often sings on recordings for other artists. He is famous for his 1975 hit song "Swing Your Daddy" and for singing part of the theme song for the popular TV show Good Times.

Jim Gilstrap's Music Journey

Jim Gilstrap was born on November 10, 1946, in Daingerfield, Texas. He started his music career after serving in the Vietnam War. In his early days, he sang with groups like the Doodletown Pipers and The Cultures.

Singing with Stevie Wonder

In the early 1970s, Jim Gilstrap was a background singer for the legendary artist Stevie Wonder. He was part of Wonder's group called "Wonderlove." You can hear his voice on Stevie Wonder's famous albums, Talking Book and Innervisions. Jim Gilstrap even sang the first two lines of Stevie Wonder's well-known song, "You Are the Sunshine of My Life."

Solo Success and Hit Songs

After working with Stevie Wonder, Jim Gilstrap signed a record deal with Chelsea Records in 1975. His song "Swing Your Daddy" became a big hit! It reached number 4 on the music charts in the United Kingdom and number 10 on the R&B charts in the United States.

Jim Gilstrap also released two of his own albums in the 1970s. His first album, also called Swing Your Daddy, included other songs like "I'm on Fire." His second album, Love Talk, came out in 1977.

Singing for TV and Movies

Jim Gilstrap's voice has been featured in many places beyond his own songs. He sang the male lead vocals for the theme song of the 1970s TV show Good Times. He also sang the theme song for the 1990s cartoon series TaleSpin. A song he performed, "I've Got You Where I Want You" (1975), was used in the movie Three Days of the Condor. He even sang an original song called "A Lament" for the Japanese film Survive Style 5+.

Jim Gilstrap's Albums

Here are some of the albums Jim Gilstrap released as a solo artist and with other groups:

Solo Albums

• Swing Your Daddy (1975)
• Love Talk (1976)

As a member of Side Effect

• Effective (1973)

With Tour De 4force 1

• Quiet Moon (2009)

With Joyce Vincent, Pam Vincent and the Altair All-Star Choir

• La La Peace Song (2018)

Jim Gilstrap's Collaborations

Jim Gilstrap has lent his voice to many other artists' recordings. Here are some of the famous musicians he has worked with:

More to Explore

• List of performers on Top of the Pops