‘Everybody Loves the Sunshine’ Star Roy Ayers Dies: Jazz World in Mourning

Roy Ayers, the influential jazz, funk, and soul artist best known for blending smooth vibraphone melodies with vibrant grooves, died on March 4, 2025. He was 84 years old. His family confirmed the news and asked for privacy during this time of mourning. The cause of death was not made public.

Ayers was one of the most sampled artists in music history and a major figure in jazz-fusion and neo-soul. Over a career that spanned more than six decades, he released dozens of albums, performed around the world, and influenced generations of artists across genres.

Born in Los Angeles in 1940, Roy Ayers grew up in a musical home. His mother was a pianist and his father played trombone. He received his first vibraphone at the age of five. By the time he was in his twenties, Ayers was performing with leading jazz musicians, including Herbie Mann, with whom he toured and recorded in the 1960s.

In the 1970s, Ayers formed his own group, Roy Ayers Ubiquity, and began to develop a sound that blended jazz with funk, soul, and R&B. His work during this era produced several classic tracks, including Everybody Loves the Sunshine, Searchin’, and Running Away. His music became known for its smooth rhythm, positive themes, and warm, melodic tone.

Everybody Loves the Sunshine, released in 1976, became his signature song. It has been widely sampled by hip-hop, R&B, and electronic artists. Musicians such as Erykah Badu, Pharrell Williams, Common, Mary J. Blige, and Tyler, the Creator have cited Ayers as an inspiration.

Ayers was also a key figure in the acid jazz movement of the 1980s and 1990s. His earlier work gained new life in clubs and underground music scenes in London, New York, and Tokyo. He collaborated with artists across styles, always open to fresh sounds and new directions.

Though his mainstream fame was modest compared to other musicians of his era, his influence ran deep. He often performed live well into his 70s and continued to record and appear at music festivals worldwide. He was celebrated not only for his music but also for his message of joy, peace, and unity.

In 2022, Ayers announced a farewell tour, marking the end of his long public performance career. He remained active in music education and community outreach in his later years, sharing his knowledge with younger musicians and fans.

Roy Ayers is survived by his children and grandchildren. His family described him as a generous father, a gentle soul, and a lifelong creator who never stopped pursuing music.

Tributes have poured in from around the globe, with fellow musicians, producers, and fans honoring his legacy. Many called him a bridge between jazz, soul, funk, and modern music.

Roy Ayers leaves behind a powerful musical legacy. His sound lives on in the countless songs that borrowed from his work and the many artists he inspired. He will be remembered for the joy his music brought and the path he carved through decades of sound.