James "Jim" Gilstrap, a session and backing vocalist best known for singing the theme song to the US sitcom Good Times and providing backing vocals on Stevie Wonder's "You Are the Sunshine of My Life," has died. His nephew and family spokesperson, Geoffrey "Geoff Gil" Gilstrap, confirmed he died on Saturday from natural causes. His death marks the loss of a prolific but often uncredited voice behind some of the most recognisable recordings of the 1970s.

Gilstrap sang the Good Times theme, which ran from 1974 to 1979, alongside Blinky Williams, with music by Dave Grusin and lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. As a featured vocalist with Stevie Wonder's Wonderlove, he sang the opening lines of "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" from Wonder's 1972 album Talking Book, which won a Grammy for best male pop vocal performance, and also worked on Wonder's Wonderlove and Innervisions albums. In 1975 he signed with Chelsea Records, releasing the single "Swing Your Daddy," which reached No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart, and later the 1976 album Love Talk; over his career he also collaborated with artists including Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston and Quincy Jones. Born on 10 November 1946, he was the last surviving member of ten siblings and is survived by his wife, Gloria, and his children.