Roy Ayers, a renowned vibraphonist and composer often referred to as the “Godfather of Neo-Soul,” passed away on March 4, 2025, at the age of 84 in New York City, New York, following a prolonged illness.

Ayers’ family confirmed the news of his death via a statement posted on his Facebook page. The statement highlighted Ayers’ fulfilling 84-year life journey and promised a later date for a ceremony to celebrate his life.

Originating from Los Angeles, California, Ayers is best remembered for his 1976 hit “Everybody Loves the Sunshine.” The song has the distinction of being one of the most sampled pieces in music history and secured the 72nd spot on Pitchfork’s top 200 songs of the 1970s.

With more than 130 million streams on Spotify, the iconic track has been covered by various artists, including D’Angelo.

Ayers’ musical journey started during his early childhood years. At the tender age of five, a performance by vibraphonist Lionel Hampton sparked his interest in music. He shared with The Los Angeles Times in 2011, “At the time, my mother and father told me he laid spiritual vibes on me.”

He received his first vibraphone at age 17 and by the early 1960s, Ayers began refining his skills as a professional musician. He advanced his music theory knowledge at Los Angeles City College prior to signing a contract with United Artists and releasing his debut studio album, “West Coast Vibes,” in 1963.

In the 1970s, Ayers transitioned from being a post-bop jazz artist to a leading figure in jazz-funk, establishing his band Roy Ayers Ubiquity. During this period, he produced numerous critically and commercially acclaimed albums, with “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” standing out as his most recognized hit.

Throughout a career that spanned more than four decades, Ayers released close to 50 albums, 12 of which charted on the Billboard 200. His highest-charting album was “You Send Me,” released in 1978.

Ayers played a crucial role in incorporating electric instruments, rock and R&B rhythms, and soulful elements into jazz, transforming the genre into a funkier version of itself. His innovative style earned him commercial success and critical recognition, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Congress of Racial Equality in 2011.

Ayers’ influence goes beyond his personal discography. As noted by Billboard, Pharrell Williams counts Ayers as one of his most influential artists. His music has been extensively sampled by contemporary hip-hop and R&B artists, appearing in the works of diverse artists from Mary J. Blige to J. Cole.

Snoop Dogg is one of the many artists who have sampled Ayers’ music. Ayers found this unexpected yet rewarding, stating, “I’m happy to say that I never had to go to anyone to ask them to sample me. They just started doing it. It’s been wonderful hearing people put their own spin on my sounds.”

Music historians and industry professionals have noted that Ayers’ composition “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” has been sampled nearly 200 times by hip-hop artists, solidifying his place as one of the most sampled musicians in history, a title perhaps only rivaled by James Brown.

In the 1990s, Ayers was acknowledged as a major innovator in the acid jazz movement, thereby further solidifying his musical legacy. Throughout his career, he collaborated with various artists, including memorable work with Nigerian musician Fela Kuti and neo-soul pioneer Erykah Badu.

Remarkable for his versatility as a musician, Ayers reshaped “the glassy, elongated tones of the vibraphone into a tool of spacy musical exploration,” as described by CNN. During his career, he played a variety of instruments including vibraphone, electric piano, and synthesizer.

Aside from his performance and recording career, Ayers also made significant contributions to cinema. He composed the music for the 1973 Blaxploitation film “Coffy” and more recently appeared as a performer in the documentary “Summer of Soul.”

Up until the final years of his life, Ayers remained active in the music scene, performing live until 2023 and collaborating with contemporary artists such as Kanye West and Tyler, the Creator.

Upon learning of his death, fans took to social media to pay tribute to Ayers. One fan referred to him as “incomparable,” while another described him as a “true innovator” who “revitalized the music landscape.”

Ayers is survived by his wife, Argerie, and their children, Mtume and Ayana Ayers.