Roy Ayers, the “king of neo-soul” and artist behind “Everybody Loves Sunshine,” has died. His family confirmed his death after suffering a “long illness” on social media. He was 84 years old. The family described Ayers to Variety as a “highly influential and sought after as a music collaborator.

Jazz-funk musician Roy Ayers died on Tuesday after a "long illness," his family announced in a statement shared to his social media accounts.

Roy Ayers, who wrote the oft-sampled “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” and the soundtrack to Coffy, has died. He was 84. Ayers’s family broke the news of his death to Variety, writing ““It is with great sadness that the family of legendary vibraphonist,