Roy Ayers: Writer behind 'Everybody Loves the Sunshine' and the soundtrack to film 'Coffy' dies aged 84 after a long illness

Ayers’ family broke the news of his death to Variety, writing: “It is with great sadness that the family of legendary vibraphonist, composer, and producer Roy Ayers announce his passing which occurred on March 4, 2025 in New York City after a long illness.” Born in Los Angeles in 1940, Ayers first became enamoured with the viberaphone at 5-years-old, after seeing Lionel Hampton’s Big Band.

Ayers went to Los Angeles City College to study advanced music theory. His first album, West Coast Vibes, dropped in 1963. Ayers wrote and produced the soundtrack for Coffy in 1973. The film stars Pam Grier as a nurse who goes on a roaring rampage of revenge against the drug dealers and mob bosses in her city.

Ayers maintained a presence in music throughout the decades. His work is sampled in such songs as A Tribe Called Quest’s “Bonita Applebaum” and Junior M.A.F.I.A.’s “Get Money,” and he performed on Tyler the Creator’s “Find Your Wings.”

His band, the Roy Ayers Ubiquity, released “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” in 1976. The song has been covered by D’Angelo, Cibo Matto, Seu Jorge, and more.