Kool & the Gang's Michael Sumler dies in car crash at 71
The Grammy-winning band confirmed the news of Sumler's death on Thursday.
'We're deeply saddened to hear about the passing of our longtime wardrobe valet, Mike Sumler,' the band told The Post in a statement. 'Mike worked alongside Kool & the Gang from 2004-2015, making sure the guys looked their best on stage every night.'
4 Michael Sumler, a member of the iconic R&B band Kool & the Gang, tragically died at the age of 71 in a car accident.
FOX 5
After starting out as a stylist for the band, Sumler soon became involved in providing background vocals and joining the group onstage.
'He also hyped the crowd with his energy and dance moves at the top of the show. Most recently, Mike helped Kool with LeKool champagne events,' they went on.
'Everyone here at Kool & the Gang has fond memories of Mike and will miss him. May he rest in peace.'
Sumler, who was lovingly nicknamed 'Chicago Mike,' died in a car crash in Cobb County, Ga., over Memorial Day Weekend. The 33-year-old driver of the other vehicle was not injured.
Sumlar died on the scene after the vehicle he was driving had colluded with another car on May 25, Fox 5 Atlanta reports.
4 The Grammy-winning band confirmed news of Sumler's death, revealing that he had worked with them from 2000 to 2015..
Getty Images
Following his death, Mableton mayor Michael Owens paid a heartfelt tribute.
'This Memorial Day weekend the world lost a music legend,' he said in a statement. 'Michael Sumler, known as 'Chicago Mike' of Kool and the Gang died in a crash Sunday night on Veterans Memorial Highway near Buckner Road. He was 71.'
'The City of Mableton, City Council and I join his friends, family and fans in mourning his loss,' Owens added.
Sumler joined the band after an introduction from a member of the group's security team.
4 Some of the band's biggest hits to date include 'Get Down on It,' 'Jungle Boogie,' 'Funky Stuff,' 'Ladies' Night' and 'Celebration.'
Getty Images
'I had a local band out of Chicago called Power Pac,' Sumler told the Kelly Talk Show in 2018. 'One of the Kool and the Gang security guys caught our act in the club in Chicago and we became friends, and he decided… he said, 'Hey, you'd like to meet my group?' And I said 'Sure.''
After starting out as a stylist-choreographer for the group, his future in the band seemed bright.
'Once they saw that I could do some other things, they said we need to have you onstage,' he said.
Sumler began his role in the band with the opening dance number and soon transitioned into providing background vocals.
'So I started off doing moves on the stage, and so that was the opening for the band. And then they said, 'Well we need you a little more,'' he said. 'So I started coming on doing background singing and just working the whole show… just creating even more moves for the band.'
Some of the band's biggest hits to date include 'Get Down on It,' 'Jungle Boogie,' 'Funky Stuff,' 'Ladies' Night' and 'Celebration.'
4 During its glittering career, the band won two Grammy Awards and 7 American Music Awards.
United Archives via Getty Images
In 2015, the band was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Nine years later, they were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Additionally, they won two Grammys and seven American Music Awards.
Robert 'Kool' Bell remains the only surviving member of the band.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
3 hours ago
- Forbes
Kaytranada Returns With New Album ‘Ain't No Damn Way'
For the second summer in a row, Haitian-Canadian producer Kaytranada is getting people dancing with a new studio album. The Grammy-winning DJ has released his fourth album Ain't No Damn Way!, the follow-up to last year's Timeless. Kaytranada gave little warning for the release, announcing the LP earlier this week and dropping lead single 'Space Invader' shortly thereafter. Like with Timeless, Kaytranada plays with a wide range of sounds and rhythms on the project, from more upbeat tracks like 'Championship' and 'Don't Worry Babe / I Got U Babe' to laid-back offerings like 'Things' and 'Shine Your Light For We.' He even samples TLC's 'Let's Do It Again' on closing track 'Do It! (Again!).' In recent years, Kaytranada has fully stepped into his power, unafraid to create beats or make musical tweaks that he feel might not resonate with listeners or collaborators. 'I always used to be very shy in the studio and sometimes let the artists just do their thing because I didn't want to correct them or anything. It took me a while to understand, OK, I got to be the one that says 'Do it like this,'" he told Rolling Stone last year. "I don't have a leader mentality. I'm learning to do that now.' Now, Kaytranada is 'trying to make Grammy-winning albums.' 'I just want to be remembered as one of the greats in terms of producing, not only dance and electronic but also just production in general,' he told Billboard. Kaytranada hits the road with Justice on a co-headlining tour across North America this fall. It all kicks off Oct. 16 in Vancouver and wraps up Nov. 16 in Miami. Before then, fans can listen to the producer featured on Teyana Taylor's forthcoming album Escape Room, due out next week.
New York Post
6 hours ago
- New York Post
Scott Wolf breaks silence on divorce from Kelley Wolf, accusing estranged wife of lying to ‘gain an advantage'
Scott Wolf is speaking out. The 'Party of Five' alum, 57, broke his silence on Friday, Aug. 15, for the first time since announcing he filed for divorce from his estranged wife, Kelley Wolf, 48, back in June. In a statement to People, the actor said that his 'continued hope is to have this most difficult chapter of our family's lives remain as private as possible; however, the well-being of my children is at stake, and that will always be my priority.' Advertisement 8 Scott Wolf at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California, on May 29, 2025. Getty Images for Sony Pictures Television 'There are some significant challenges that are making our situation incredibly difficult and contentious, and it is tragic for all involved,' he continued. 'I was informed of some deeply disturbing and entirely false allegations that were made about me by my estranged wife.' The 'Everwood' star also shared with the outlet a series of alleged text messages he received from his ex in which she threatened to 'make claims' against him regarding 'psychological abuse, child abuse, child endangerment [and] stealing with passports.' Advertisement Kelley then reportedly made several of those same claims in a 911 call on July 26. 8 Scott and Kelley Wolf at Universal Studios Hollywood in Universal City, California, on July 9, 2018. Getty Images 'I am now choosing to come forward and share that she has described to me her plans to 'make claims' about me, although she also admitted, 'I do not believe they're true,' in order to gain an advantage in what she sees as a 'battle' in court, and in the court of public opinion,' Scott continued. 'In order to protect my kids, I am providing the text messages she sent to me where she describes this plan, so there are no questions about her intentions, or the malicious intent behind her false allegations made and/or planned for the future,' he added. Advertisement According to the alleged text messages, Kelley said that she was 'advised to make claims that are possible, even though I do not believe they're true nor would I ever say them to anyone.' 8 Kelley and Scott Wolf posing for a family photo with their children years before their ugly divorce. kelleywolf/Instagram She also allegedly wrote that 'when you accused me of all the things you put in the restraining order, you made me into a villain' and 'the only way I can fight back is to produce claims that are either the same as yours or greater.' Scott's estranged wife went on to explain that she was trying to 'create more urgency to get the kids back' or 'at least get back joint custody.' Advertisement After calling his ex's claims 'completely baseless' and 'incredibly dangerous,' Scott added that 'the worst part is that they are traumatic for our children.' 8 The 'Party of Five' alum at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California, on May 29, 2025. Getty Images for Sony Pictures Television 'I hope that anyone who might speak publicly or report on such things will consider this before spreading any further information from a clearly unreliable and completely compromised source,' he said. 'I continue to ask for privacy and respect for our family, and give thanks to all those who have shown their love and support,' the 'Nancy Drew' actor concluded. Kelley has since responded to her estranged husband's statement. 8 Scott and Kelley Wolf at SiriusXM Studios in New York City on June 6, 2016. Getty Images 'I will be very clear when I say this: I don't believe that Scott would [abuse our children],' she told People. 'I've lost my career, my reputation, my children, my integrity, my honor, my devotion to my marriage.' 'As a parent, I have literally lost everything except my life. I've done everything strategic, and I'm hopeful for my children,' she added. Advertisement The drama between Scott and Kelley Wolf kicked off in June when Kelley took to social media to announce that she and the '90s heartthrob were divorcing after 21 years of marriage. 8 Kelley and Scott Wolf before their nasty divorce battle. kelleywolf/Instagram Scott later revealed that he was the one who filed for divorce, and he called it 'the most difficult decision of my life.' 'After 21 years of marriage, I have made the most difficult decision of my life, and filed for divorce from my wife Kelley,' he told The Post in a statement at the time. Advertisement 'Our children have always been, and continue to be, the loves of our lives and our every priority,' he added, 'so I kindly ask for privacy at this time as we help guide them through this new chapter.' 8 Scott and Kelley Wolf celebrating Father's Day with their children in 2023. kelleywolf/Instagram The divorce drama quickly escalated on June 13 when Kelley was detained by sheriffs in Utah County and placed on an involuntary psychiatric hold following a 'family fight' at the pair's home. Scott later filed for a restraining order against his ex on June 24, and a judge signed off on the petition one day later. Advertisement Although the actor was awarded a temporary restraining order against Kelley, as well as temporary sole physical and legal custody of their children, he chose to drop the order on July 19 following a strict new agreement with his ex. 8 The 'Nancy Drew' star and his wife, Kelley Wolf, posing for a sweet picture together on May 29, 2024. Scott Wolf/Instagram The agreement outlined custody arrangements, visitation rights, and communication guidelines involving their kids, Jackson, 16, Miller, 12, and Lucy, 11. Kelley was also granted 'liberal' supervised visitation with the children, supervised parenting time as coordinated by counsel, and three supervised video or phone calls per week. Advertisement However, Kelley tried to gain access to the former couple's Park City, Utah, property with police present just two weeks after Scott dropped the restraining order against her. She livestreamed the attempt on Instagram Live, and told her 76,000 followers that she was 'under the impression that I have done everything humanly possible to retrieve some basic items from my home.'
New York Post
7 hours ago
- New York Post
‘General Hospital' star Tristan Rogers dead at 79 after battle with lung cancer
Tristan Rogers, who starred as Robert Scorpio on the popular soap opera 'General Hospital' for 45 years, has passed away. He was 79. The beloved soap star's manager, Meryl Soodak, confirmed the shocking news in a statement to ABC on Friday, Aug. 15. 6 Tristan Rogers as Robert Scorpio on 'General Hospital' in 1981. Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images Advertisement 6 Tristan Rogers celebrates 60 years of 'General Hospital' at the Stress Factory Comedy Club in New Brunswick, NJ, on February 18, 2023. Getty Images Rogers passed away following a short battle with lung cancer. 'He loved being Scorpio, and he created that role from nothing,' Soodak said. 'He was supposed to work a day, and he ended up making it into something huge. He was just a genuinely loyal, kind human being, and he loved his family.' Advertisement Frank Valentini, who serves as executive producer of 'General Hospital,' also shared a touching statement following the news of Rogers' passing. 6 Tristan Rogers at the Garry Marshall Theatre in Burbank, California, on December 19, 2018. Getty Images 'The entire General Hospital family is heartbroken to hear of Tristan Rogers' passing,' Valentini told People. 'Tristan has captivated our fans for 45 years and Port Charles will not be the same without him (or Robert Scorpio).' 'I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to his family and friends during this difficult time. Tristan was a one-of-a-kind talent and will be greatly missed,' Valentini added. 'May he rest in peace.' Advertisement Born in Melbourne, Australia, in 1946, Rogers moved to the US in 1980 and, later that same year, was cast as Robert Scorpio on 'General Hospital.' 6 Tristan Rogers and John J. York on 'General Hospital' in 1991. ©ABC/Courtesy Everett Collection 'I didn't know at the time the importance of General Hospital; it was just one more job for me,' he told Soap Opera Digest during an interview in 2020. 'But it was really exciting, to be fresh off the boat and walk into this role.' 'Of course, after that, everywhere I went, people would go, 'You're on General Hospital? That's the hottest thing in the country! You're working with Luke and Laura? Oh, my God!'' he continued. 'I got caught up in the General Hospital tidal wave and just got swept away by it.' Advertisement Although his character was seemingly killed off in 1992, Rogers returned to the show in 2006 when it was revealed that Robert Scorpio was actually still alive. 6 Tristan Rogers and Ted King on 'General Hospital' in 2006. ©ABC/Courtesy Everett Collection 'I think this character will follow me to my grave,' Rogers told The New York Times almost 20 years before his death. Following several returns to Port Charles, and after the 2008 spinoff 'General Hospital: Night Shift,' Rogers made his final appearance on the long-running soap opera last month when he returned once more to say goodbye to his onscreen daughter, Sasha Gilmore (Sofia Mattsson). Rogers' publicist, Anthony Turk, announced the actor's lung cancer diagnosis the same day that his final 'General Hospital' episode aired. 6 Tristan Rogers in 2021. ABC via Getty Images 'Beloved Emmy-winning actor Tristan Rogers, best known for his role as Robert Scorpio on the daytime drama, 'General Hospital,' revealed to his fans that he has been diagnosed with cancer,' Turk said on July 17. Advertisement 'While he remains hopeful and is working closely with his medical team on a treatment plan, this is a challenging time for Tristan and his family,' he continued. 'As they face both the emotional and physical burdens that come with this diagnosis, the family kindly asks for privacy and understanding.' Rogers is survived by his wife, Teresa Parkerson, and children, Sara and Cale. He also had one grandchild.
