Roy Ayers, Godfather of Neo Soul, Dies Elderly 84

Roy Ayers, the multi-hyphenate composer and artist nicknamed the ‘Godfather of Neo Soul,’ has passed on to the great beyond on the age of 84.

Information of Ayers’ passing was once showed on Wednesday (March 5), with a observation shared by the use of his legit Fb web page.

“It’s with nice unhappiness that the circle of relatives of mythical vibraphonist, composer and manufacturer Roy Ayers announce his passing which befell on March 4th, 2025 in New York Town after an extended sickness,” the put up wrote. “He lived a gorgeous 84 years and can be sorely ignored. His circle of relatives ask that you just admire their privateness presently, a birthday celebration of Roy’s lifestyles can be drawing close.”

Born in Los Angeles in 1940, Ayers was once surrounded via song from a tender age due to his pianist mom and trombonist father. Ayers himself took to the vibraphone on the age of 5 when he was once proficient a couple of mallets from Lionel Hampton.

Appearing song right through highschool due to a church choir and native bands, Ayers introduced his musical profession in earnest in 1962, serving as a sideman for saxophonist Curtis Amy and funky jazz outfit The Jack Wilson Quartet, freeing his debut solo album West Coast Vibes in 1963. 

By means of 1970, Ayers had shaped his personal staff below the identify Roy Ayers Ubiquity, and in 1973 he discovered wider popularity after soundtracking Jack Hill’s blaxploitation movie Coffy, starring Pam Grier. Roy Ayers Ubiquity skilled years of chart luck within the latter part of the last decade, beginning with 1975’s Mystic Voyage, which hit No. 13 at the Most sensible R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and 1976’s Everyone Loves the Sunshine, which reached No. 10 at the identical chart, and No. 51 at the Billboard 200.

The name observe to the latter document would turn into certainly one of Ayers’ best-known compositions, happening to be sampled via artists akin to Dr. Dre, Mary J. Blige and Not unusual, and lined via the likes of D’Angelo, Jamie Cullum and Robert Glasper. It additionally cemented his standing as probably the most extra distinguished figures within the neo-soul scene, with the likes of Pharrell Williams bringing up Ayers as certainly one of his maximum influential artists.

Whilst 1977’s Lifeline noticed “Working Away” hitting No. 19 at the Sizzling R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, Ayers’ profession endured as a solo artist within the coming a long time, together with his greatest chart luck coming by the use of 1980’s No Stranger to Love, which reached No. 22 at the Most sensible R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. 

He remained a distinguished pressure at the charts right through the ‘80s, and whilst he by no means scored a observe at the Sizzling 100, 1986’s “Sizzling” would hit No. 20 at the Most sensible R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, whilst his Eric Benet collaboration “When You Assume Of Me” would give him his final look at the identical chart, peaking at No. 46 in 2000.

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