Roy Ayers, the jazz-funk vibraphonist known for Everybody Loves the Sunshine and sampled ’round the music world, has died. He was 84. Ayers died Tuesday in New York after a long illness, his family announced in a statement, describing him as “highly influential and sought after as a music collaborator.”

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

Composer and musician Roy Ayers - known for his 1976 hit "Everybody Loves the Sunshine" - has died in New York, according to a social media post on his official Facebook page.

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.