Roy Ayers, the legendary jazz vibraphonist behind the long-lasting hit “Everyone Loves the Sunshine,” has handed away on the age of 84.
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The information was first reported by Selection, which spoke with Ayers’ household.
“It’s with nice disappointment that the household of legendary vibraphonist, composer, and producer Roy Ayers announce his passing which occurred on March 4, 2025 in New York Metropolis after a protracted sickness,” learn an official assertion, describing him as “extremely influential and wanted as a music collaborator.”
HipHopWired studies that artists have sampled Ayers numerous occasions, notably for 1976’s “Everyone Loves The Sunshine.”
Mary J. Blige’s “My Life” (1994) closely interpolates the music, whereas Frequent’s “The Gentle” (2000), produced by J Dilla, prominently samples the observe. Mos Def additionally paid homage in “Sunshine” (2004), incorporating Ayers’ observe, whereas Model Nubian’s Wake Up (Reprise within the Sunshine)” (1990) flips the music right into a socially acutely aware anthem. Extra lately, in 2015, he appeared on Tyler, the Creator’s observe “Discover Your Wings” and carried out on the rapper’s Camp Flog Gnaw competition two years later.
In 2017, Ayers recalled to The Guardian that “Everyone Loves The Sunshine” got here to him spontaneously on a scorching day whereas recording at Electrical Woman Studios in New York, an area as soon as owned by Jimi Hendrix.
“I simply acquired this phrase in my head: ‘Everyone loves the sunshine,’” he mentioned.
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From there, he mentioned the lyrics flowed effortlessly, and he constructed the music round heat summer season imagery.
When he turned it in to the document firm, Ayers mentioned he was instantly excited and knew it might join with folks.
“It appears to seize each technology. Everyone loves the sunshine – besides Dracula,” mentioned Ayers in The Guardian.
Roy Ayers was born on September 10, 1940, in Los Angeles, California, and grew up surrounded by music.
His mother taught piano, and his dad performed the trombone. NPR studies that at age 5, Ayers noticed Lionel Hampton’s Large Band carry out, and Hampton handed him a pair of vibraphone mallets—a second that caught with him for all times.
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The legendary musician went on to take piano classes, sing within the church choir, and later research music principle at Los Angeles Metropolis Faculty. That early publicity to jazz, funk, and soul formed his distinctive sound, setting him as much as turn out to be probably the most influential vibraphonists of all time.
His enduring legacy as a groundbreaking artist and cultural icon ensures that his music will proceed to encourage generations to return.
Ayers is survived by his spouse, Argerie, and their youngsters, Mtume and Ayana Ayers.
R.I.P.
