Roy Ayers, Godfather of Neo Soul, Dies Aged 84

Roy Ayers, the multi-hyphenate composer and artist nicknamed the ‘Godfather of Neo Soul,’ has handed away on the age of 84.

Information of Ayers’ passing was confirmed on Wednesday (March 5), with a press release shared by way of his official Fb web page.

“It’s with nice disappointment that the household of legendary vibraphonist, composer and producer Roy Ayers announce his passing which occurred on March 4th, 2025 in New York Metropolis after a protracted sickness,” the publish wrote. “He lived a good looking 84 years and will probably be sorely missed. His household ask that you just respect their privateness right now, a celebration of Roy’s life will probably be forthcoming.”

Born in Los Angeles in 1940, Ayers was surrounded by music from a younger age because of his pianist mom and trombonist father. Ayers himself took to the vibraphone on the age of 5 when he was gifted a pair of mallets from Lionel Hampton.

Performing music all through highschool because of a church choir and native bands, Ayers launched his musical profession in earnest in 1962, serving as a sideman for saxophonist Curtis Amy and funky jazz outfit The Jack Wilson Quartet, releasing his debut solo album West Coast Vibes in 1963. 

By 1970, Ayers had fashioned his personal group underneath the identify Roy Ayers Ubiquity, and in 1973 he discovered wider fame after soundtracking Jack Hill’s blaxploitation movie Coffy, starring Pam Grier. Roy Ayers Ubiquity skilled years of chart success within the latter half of the last decade, beginning with 1975’s Mystic Voyage, which hit No. 13 on the High R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and 1976’s Everyone Loves the Sunshine, which reached No. 10 on the identical chart, and No. 51 on the Billboard 200.

The title monitor to the latter document would turn into considered one of Ayers’ best-known compositions, happening to be sampled by artists equivalent to Dr. Dre, Mary J. Blige and Frequent, and lined by the likes of D’Angelo, Jamie Cullum and Robert Glasper. It additionally cemented his standing as one of many extra distinguished figures within the neo-soul scene, with the likes of Pharrell Williams citing Ayers as considered one of his most influential artists.

Whereas 1977’s Lifeline noticed “Working Away” hitting No. 19 on the Scorching R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, Ayers’ profession continued as a solo artist within the coming many years, together with his greatest chart success coming by the use of 1980’s No Stranger to Love, which reached No. 22 on the High R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. 

He remained a distinguished power on the charts all through the ‘80s, and whereas he by no means scored a monitor on the Scorching 100, 1986’s “Scorching” would hit No. 20 on the High R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, whereas his Eric Benet collaboration “When You Suppose Of Me” would give him his final look on the identical chart, peaking at No. 46 in 2000.

Ayers would proceed composing and performing into the twenty first century, working with the likes of Erykah Badu, Tyler, the Creator, Kerri Chandler, and extra. He’s survived by his spouse Argerie, and their two kids Mtume and Ayana Ayers.