Roy Ayers, Legendary ‘Everybody Loves The Sunshine’ Musician, Dies at 84.Viet

Roy Ayers, Jazz-Funk Pioneer and ‘Everybody Loves the Sunshine’ Legend, Dies at 84

Roy Ayers, the iconic vibraphonist, composer, and producer known for shaping the jazz-funk genre, has passed away at the age of 84.

A statement shared on his official Facebook page confirmed that Ayers died on March 4 in New York City after a long illness. “He lived a beautiful 84 years and will be sorely missed. His family asks for privacy at this time, and a celebration of his life will be forthcoming,” the statement read.

Born in Los Angeles on September 10, 1940, Ayers was immersed in music from an early age, with his father playing trombone and his mother playing piano. He became a trailblazer in jazz-funk, blending elements of jazz, R&B, and soul to create a signature sound that resonated across generations.

His 1976 hit Everybody Loves the Sunshine remains one of the most influential songs in modern music, sampled by artists such as Mary J. Blige, Common, Tyler, the Creator, and Kanye West. NPR reports that the track has been sampled over 100 times, cementing Ayers’ legacy in contemporary music.

Mary J. Blige, in a 2020 interview with PEOPLE, credited Ayers’ music for inspiring her career, particularly noting that her song My Life was deeply influenced by Everybody Loves the Sunshine.

Throughout his career, Ayers continuously pushed musical boundaries. After releasing his 1970 album Ubiquity, he formed the live band Roy Ayers Ubiquity. His extensive discography includes notable albums such as He’s Coming (1972) and Red, Black & Green (1973). He also composed the score for the 1973 blaxploitation film Coffy, starring Pam Grier.

Ayers’ impact extended beyond recordings—he was a dynamic performer, appearing on Soul Train in the 1970s and later headlining an NPR Tiny Desk concert in 2018.

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