Jim Gilstrap, the soul and R&B vocalist celebrated for his work with Stevie Wonder and for singing the theme tune to the sitcom Good Times, has died at the age of 79. His family said he passed away on 18 July from natural causes, describing him as widely respected by peers for his professionalism and humility despite much of his best-known work happening behind the scenes.

Gilstrap rose to prominence after joining Wonder's backing band Wonderlove, contributing to acclaimed early-1970s albums including Talking Book and Innervisions, and famously singing the opening lines of "You Are the Sunshine of My Life". He later launched a solo career, scoring a UK Top Five and US R&B Top 10 hit with "Swing Your Daddy" in 1975, before building a prolific session career backing artists such as Aretha Franklin, Elton John, Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson. He also recorded the enduring Good Times theme in 1974 and continued contributing vocals to major records and film soundtracks, including work with Kanye West and Harry Styles, well into recent decades.