Renowned jazz vibraphonist Roy Ayers, famous for his hit song Everybody Loves the Sunshine, has passed away at the age of 84. The Ayers family confirmed his death on Tuesday following a long illness.
Ayers leaves behind a lasting impact on the music industry, particularly in the realms of hip-hop and R&B.
Known as the Godfather of Neo Soul, his songs have been sampled by numerous artists including Mary J Blige, Common, Kanye West, A Tribe Called Quest, Junior MAFIA, and Tyler, the Creator.
Having released multiple albums since 1963, Ayers was a pioneer of jazz-funk and played a significant role in the development of the neo-soul movement. His group Roy Ayers Ubiquity scored a major hit with Everybody Loves the Sunshine.
He is survived by his wife Argerie, and their children Mtume and Ayana.