Roy Ayers, 'Everybody Loves The Sunshine' Musician, Dies at 84

Mar. 15, 2025

Roy Ayers in June 2017.Photo:Mathew Imaging/WireImage

Mathew Imaging/WireImage

Roy Ayers, the legendary vibraphonist, record producer and composer behind hits like “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” and “No Stranger to Love,” has died. He was 84.

Ayers, nicknamed the “Godfather of Neo Soul,” died on Tuesday, March 4 in New York City after a long illness, according to a statement published on his officialFacebookaccount.

“He lived a beautiful 84 years and will be sorely missed. His family ask that you respect their privacy at this time, a celebration of Roy’s life will be forthcoming,” the statement read.

Vibraphonist Roy Ayers, the 1990s.David Redfern/Redferns

David Redfern/Redferns

The Los Angeles native was born on Sept. 10, 1940, and his musical influences came early as his father played trombone and his mother played piano.

Some musicians best known to sample the song for their own projects range fromMary J. BligeandCommontoTyler, the CreatorandKanye West, perVariety. According toNPR, the single has been sampled more than 100 times.

During a February 2020exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Blige, 54, discussed Ayers’ impact on one of her favorite songs throughout her decades-long career.

“‘My Life’ is one of the most important records of my life,” the nine-time Grammy winner said. “It’s definitely one of the most important and it’s one of my favorite songs ever sampled which is Roy Ayers’ ‘Everybody Loves the Sunshine.' ”

Mutthitmaker Leon Thomas named Ayers one of the artists who influenced his 2023 projectElectric Duskin a November 2024 interview withPEOPLE.

Roy Ayers, Kool Jazz Festival — July 1976.David Redfern/Redferns/Getty

David Redfern/Redferns/Getty

“I’m trying to create that psychedelic feeling in R&B and it’s a really tough thing because the genre is pretty iron clad,” Thomas, 31, said at the time. “They like certain colors, certain vibes, certain things, but I’m doing my best to dare to be different.”

His discography included 1972’sHe’s Comingand 1973’sRed, Black & Green.Ayers also crossed into film when he worked on the score for the 1973 blaxploitation action thrillerCoffystarringPam Grier.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Ayers spent his life performing, early on appearing on shows likeSoul Trainand headlining anNPR Tiny Desk concertin March 2018.

source: people.com