The esteemed vibraphonist and composer, Roy Ayers, often referred to as the “Godfather of Neo-Soul,” passed away on March 4, 2025, in New York City following a prolonged illness. He was 84 years old.
Ayers’ death was confirmed by his family through a statement published on his Facebook page. They indicated that he had “lived a beautiful 84 years” and announced that a commemoration of his life would be organized at a future date.
Originally from Los Angeles, California, Ayers is most recognized for his 1976 hit “Everybody Loves the Sunshine.” The song has become one of the most frequently sampled tunes in music history and was ranked 72 in Pitchfork’s top 200 songs of the 1970s.
Since its release, the legendary track has been streamed over 130 million times on Spotify and has inspired covers by artists, including D’Angelo.
Ayers began his musical journey early in his life. At the age of five, a performance by vibraphonist Lionel Hampton greatly influenced him. Ayers recalled to The Los Angeles Times in 2011, “At the time, my mother and father told me he laid spiritual vibes on me.”
When he was 17, Ayers received a vibraphone as a gift. By the early 1960s, he was honing his skills as a professional musician. He studied advanced music theory at Los Angeles City College before signing with United Artists and releasing his debut studio album, “West Coast Vibes,” in 1963.
In the 1970s, Ayers transitioned from a post-bop jazz artist to a trailblazer of jazz-funk, forming his band Roy Ayers Ubiquity. During this period, he produced several critically acclaimed and commercially successful albums, with “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” emerging as his signature hit.
Over his career, which spanned over four decades, Ayers released nearly 50 albums, with 12 of them making it onto the Billboard 200. His highest-charting album was “You Send Me” in 1978.
Ayers played a significant role in infusing jazz with electric instruments, rock and R&B rhythms, and soul elements, giving birth to a funkier variant of the genre. His innovative style earned him commercial success and critical acclaim, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Congress of Racial Equality in 2011.
Notably, Ayers’ influence extended beyond his own discography. His music has been widely sampled by modern hip-hop and R&B artists, and his compositions have been featured in works by artists from Mary J. Blige to J. Cole. Pharrell Williams has acknowledged Ayers as one of his most influential artists, as reported by Billboard.
Snoop Dogg is among the many artists who have sampled Ayers’ music. The vibraphonist found this both unexpected and satisfying. “I’m happy to say that I never had to go to anyone to ask them to sample me,” he said. “They just started doing it. It’s been wonderful hearing people put their own spin on my sounds.”
Music historians and industry experts have noted that Ayers’ composition “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” has been sampled almost 200 times by hip-hop artists. This firmly establishes his status as one of the most sampled musicians in history, a distinction perhaps only paralleled by James Brown.
In the 1990s, Ayers was hailed as one of the leading innovators of the acid jazz movement, further extending his musical legacy. He continued to work with artists throughout his career, including noteworthy collaborations with Nigerian musician Fela Kuti and neo-soul pioneer Erykah Badu.
Ayers’ musical versatility was extraordinary. He utilized “the glassy, elongated tones of the vibraphone and remolded it into a tool of spacy musical exploration,” as reported by CNN. Throughout his career, he played various instruments, including the vibraphone, electric piano, and synthesizer.
Apart from his work as a performer and recording artist, Ayers made significant contributions to cinema as the composer for the 1973 Blaxploitation film “Coffy.” More recently, he appeared as a performer in the documentary “Summer of Soul.”
Until the final years of his life, Ayers remained active in the music industry, performing live until 2023 and collaborating with contemporary artists like Kanye West and Tyler, the Creator.
Upon hearing the news of his death, Ayers’ fans paid tribute to him on social media. Some described him as “incomparable,” while others hailed him as a “true innovator” who “revitalized the music landscape.”
Ayers is survived by his wife, Argerie, and their children, Mtume and Ayana Ayers.