Jim Gilstrap - A Profile

Jim Gilstrap celebrates his 76th birthday today. He rose to fame with his 1975 UK #4 hit "Swing Your Daddy". His second single on Bell in 1974 "Run Run Run", which he co-wrote with Jerry Fuller, is pretty scarce (it's not listed on Discogs and there are no originals listed on Popsike only UK reissues) and has been an in-demand item on the Northern Soul scene. It was reissued on 7" vinyl by Soul Brother in 2001, billed as Side Effect Feat. Jim Gilstrap, but this is a different version. It featured on their debut album "Effective" which was a Canadian issue only and produced by Gilstrap who was also a member of the group. The album was reissued by Soul Brother on CD and vinyl in 2001.

Gilstrap was a member of an easy listening group The Doodletown Pipers from 1968 who appeared on many TV shows where, presumably, he met Augie Johnson who was also a member and went on to form Side Effect.

He became a member of Stevie Wonder's backing group Wonderlove and appeared on "Music Of My Mind", "Talking Book" (his is the first voice you hear on "You Are the Sunshine of My Life"), "Innervisions" "Fulfillingness' First Finale" and is credited for one song on "Songs In The Key Of Life".

Due to the success of "Swing Your Daddy" he released an album with the same title which spawned another two singles, "House Of Strangers" and a cover on 5000 Volts' "I'm On Fire" followed by his second and final album "Love Talk" which wasn't a commercial success (and consisted of only four tracks but is a good album included below).

He then focused on session work and is one of the most prolific session singers in the business with over 500 credits on Discogs having sung with dozens of big soul artists including Aaron Neville, Al Jarreau, Angela Bofil, Anita Baker,  Aretha Franklin, B.B. King, Bill Withers, Brothers Johnson, Candi Staton (incl. Young Hearts Run Free), Dionne Warwick, Donald Byrd, George Benson, George Duke, Gladys Knight, Jean Carn, Leon Haywood, Luther Vandross, Martha Reeves, Michael Jackson (incl Off The Wall), Minnie Riperton, Nancy Wilson,  Norman Connors, Patrice Rushen, Patti Austin, Peabo Bryson, Martha Reeves, Nancy Wilson, Phyllis Hyman, Quincy Jones, Ray Charles, Roy Ayers, Stevie Wonder, Syreeta, Teddy Pendergrass, The Jacksons, Thelma Houston as well as pop artists Whitney Houston, Barbara Streisand, Celine Dion, Elkie Brooks, Elton John, Neil Diamond and many more.

I came across an excellent interview which gives a lot of background information on his career which is well worth a listen if you can afford the time as it spans 2 videos and almost 2 hours but he talks about the incredible number of people he has worked with. Part 1 Part 2.

Album Discography

1975 - Swing Your Daddy

1976 - Love Talk

Singles Discography

1974 - Airport

1975 - When You Come Back Down / Run, Run, Run

1975 - Swing Your Daddy/ Swing Your Daddy Part II

1975 - House Of Strangers / Take Your Daddy For A Ride

1975 - I'm On Fire / I'm On Fire, Pt.II

1976 - Move Me / Move Me, Pt.2

1976 - Never Stop Your Loving Me (Never Stop)

1976 - Love Talk

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