Latest news with #AdrianMeeks
Sky News
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Sky News
Kool & the Gang's Michael Sumler dies in car crash
Michael Sumler, a long-time member of Kool & the Gang, has died in a car crash. Michael Owens, the mayor of Mableton, north of Atlanta, said in a Facebook post: "This Memorial Day weekend the world lost a music legend. 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." He added: "The city of Mableton, City Council and I join his friends, family and fans in mourning his loss." According to local news outlet the Cobb County Courier, the musician's car was involved in a collision with another vehicle. Sumler died at the scene. In a post on Facebook, the band said: "We're deeply saddened to hear about the passing of our longtime wardrobe valet, Mike Sumler. "Mike worked alongside Kool & the Gang from 2000-2015, making sure the guys looked their best on stage every night. "He also hyped the crowd with his energy and dance moves at the top of the show." They added: "Everyone here at Kool & the Gang has fond memories of Mike and will miss him. May he rest in peace." Sumler was widely described as a backing vocalist for the pop veterans, who formed in New Jersey in the 1960s and rose to worldwide fame in the following two decades. Adrian Meeks, Sumler's friend, told Fox 5 Atlanta his death came as "a devastating blow" to all those who knew him. He said Sumler "always wanted to see other people succeed in the business that he'd been around most all of his life". Kool & the Gang have undergone numerous changes in personnel and have explored many musical styles throughout their history, including jazz, rhythm and blues, soul, funk, disco, rock, and pop music since releasing their first album in 1969. They have won numerous accolades, including two Grammy Awards, and have sold more than 70 million albums worldwide.
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
R&B legend, singer for legendary band killed in car crash
Michael Sumler, a singer for the American band Kool & the Gang, has died aged 71 after a horror car crash. Tributes are pouring in for the band's beloved hype-man, known as 'Chicago Mike', as he is remembered for always being the 'life of the party'. Sumler died after a car crash just outside Atlanta, Georgia, on Saturday night. The soul icon was driving a black Nissan when it collided with another car. He was pronounced dead shortly after the initial crash, Cobb County Police Department said. The 33-year-old driver of the other car was not injured in the crash. Sumler was known for being a fun and insightful music industry mogul who featured as a backing vocalist for the legendary Kool & the Gang for over three decades. Sumler's friend, Adrian Meeks, told Fox 5 Atlanta his death came as 'a devastating blow' for all those who knew him. Sumler first joined the iconic band in 1985 and would go on to mentor several young musicians as part of the group. His friend added: 'He always wanted to see other people succeed in the business that he'd been around most of all of his life.' Robert 'Kool' Bell, the band's founding bassist and the last surviving original member of the group, said: 'It's a bittersweet feeling. We've lost another brother, and the stage won't be the same without Mike.' Kool & the Gang were formed in 1969 and had an illustrious career, winning two Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, 25 Top Ten R&B hits, nine Top Ten Pop hits and 31 gold and platinum albums. The popular band were the longest performing R&B group in history. The group's first major breakthrough came in 1973 with the release of the album Wild and Peaceful, which featured the iconic hit single Funky Stuff. The addition of lead vocalist Taylor and producer Eumir Deodato propelled the band to new heights, leading to their all-time classic hit Celebration in 1980 — now a staple at parties worldwide. Kool & the Gang would later be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2024. And in 2015, the band was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Sumler is just the latest member of the group to pass away after The Gang's drummer George Brown most recently passed away in 2023 after a battle with cancer. The iconic group are set to headline the UK festival Boogietown in July alongside UB40 and Billy Ocean.
The Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Michael Sumler dead at 71: Kool & the Gang singer & hype-man killed in car crash as tributes paid to ‘life of the party'
MICHAEL Sumler, known as the hypeman for Kool & the Gang, has died aged 71 following a horror crash, as tributes pour in for the "life of the party". Also known as "Chicago Mike", the singer has died following a car crash just outside Atlanta, Georgia, on Saturday night. 2 2 The soul icon was driving the vehicle before it collided with another car near Buckner Road. Chicago Mike was a music industry mogul who featured as a backing vocalist for the legendary Kool & the Gang. Sumler's friend, Adrian Meeks, told Fox 5 Atlanta: 'It was a devastating blow, "It's like no, no, no, not Mike." Sumler first joined the iconic band in 1985
