Roy Ayers, legendary musician behind hit songs “Everybody Loves the Sunshine,” dies at 84

Roy Ayers, legendary musician behind hit songs “Everybody Loves the Sunshine,” dies at 84

Roy Ayers, the legendary American vibraphonist, composer and pioneer of jazz-funk, died Tuesday, his family said. He was 84.

The producer passed away in New York City after a long illness, the family announced on Facebook. A specific cause of death was not immediately disclosed.

Ayers “lived a beautiful 84 years and will be sorely missed,” his family said. Known as the “Godfather of Neo-soul,” Ayers had been in the music business for over four decades and was best known for his 1976 hit “Everybody Loves the Sunshine,” released by his band, Roy Ayers Ubiquity.

“Everybody Loves the Sunshine” has more than 130 million streams on Spotify and has been remixed and covered by artists like Mary J. Blige and Tupac.

Source: CNN