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.

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

Roy Ayers, the 1970s jazz and neo soul artist behind the hit 'Everybody Loves The Sunshine,' has died at age 84.

They described him as "highly influential and sought after as a music collaborator." Ayers' own biggest hit was the mellow track Everybody Loves the Sunshine, which was covered by

Roy Ayers, the legendary jazz vibraphonist known for his hit 'Everybody Loves the Sunshine,' has died. He was 84.

Roy Ayers, the jazz-funk vibraphonist known for the album Everybody Loves the Sunshine which has been sampled countless times since it was released, 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.”

From Mary J. Blige's "My Life" to Naughty by Nature's "Sunshine," here are 21 hip-hop and R&B songs that have sampled the 1976 Roy Ayers Ubiquity classic.

Honoring the Legacy of Musical Legend Roy Ayers