Beloved Sunshine Hitmaker and Jazz Funk Pioneer Roy Ayers Passes Away at 84

Roy Ayers Passes Away

The iconic Jazz pioneer Roy Ayers has passed away at the age of 84.

Ayers’ death was confirmed through an announcement from his team on his official Facebook account. The post stated that he died of a “long illness” and expressed: “With great sadness, the family of legendary vibraphonists, composer, and producer Roy Ayers announces his passage, which occurred on March 4, 2025, in New York after a long illness.”

“He lived a beautiful 84 years, yet that does not seem enough. His family requests that you respect their privacy during this time. There will be a celebration of Roy’s life.”

Legacy and Influence

Roy Ayers, known as “The Godfather of Neo-Soul,” gained fame with his 1976 hit “Everybody Loves the Sunshine,” recorded with his group, Roy Ayers.

A key figure in the jazz-funk genre and an early influencer of the Neo-Soul movement, Ayers’ music has been sampled countless times by artists including Kanye West, Mary J. Blige, J. Cole, and Tyler, the Creator. He collaborated with notable performers such as Whitney Houston, Fela Kuti, Rick James, and Guru.

Ayers’ journey with the vibraphone began at age five, inspired by Lionel Hampton’s Big Band performance with his family. He made his recording debut in the early 1960s alongside saxophonist Curtis Amy, and by 1963, he had signed a deal to release his debut album, “West Coast.”

In the 1970s, he formed his own group, Roy Ayers Ubiquity, producing the famous soundtrack for the 1973 film “Coffy.” By 1976, they released the beloved album “Everybody Loves the Sunshine,” which featured hits like “Funky Sensation.”

Throughout the following decades, he recorded for UNO Melodic and Gold Mink Records. His last solo studio album, “Mahogany Vibe,” was released in 2004, showcasing performances by Erykah Badu and Betty Wright. In 2015, he collaborated with Tyler, the Creator on “Find Your Wings,” and appeared at the Camp Flog Gnaw festival in 2017.

One of Ayers’ most recent projects was a collaboration in 2020 with Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad on the album ‘Roy Ayers Jid002.’

Following news of his death, tributes poured in for Roy Ayers. Here are a few:

Rip Roy Ayers the Legend the Gawd

– Desus mf nice💯 (@desusnice) March 6, 2025

We are deeply saddened by the death of the legendary Roy Ayers. A real innovator, Roy formed and revived the musical landscape among generations. His sound has become a backdrop for every era he graced, with “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” serving as a hymn for many of us. pic.twitter.com/nh0dt7xcak

– Jazz dead (@jazzisdeadco) March 6, 2025

This is a developing story