Latest news with #CobbCounty
Fox News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Kool & the Gang's Michael Sumler dead at 71 after fatal car crash
Michael Sumler, a longtime member of the legendary R&B and funk band Kool & the Gang, has died. He was 71. Sumler, who originally worked as the band's wardrobe valet before joining the group as a backing vocalist and onstage performer, was involved in a fatal car crash in Mableton, Georgia, on May 25 and died at the scene, according to the Cobb County Police Department. He was pronounced dead by the Cobb County Medical Examiner's Office, Fox News Digital has learned. The fatal collision occurred on Veterans Memorial Highway west of Buckner Road. Police reported the car crash took place at approximately 11:35 PM. Sumler collided with a 33-year-old driver named Khary Weaver, police stated in a press release. Weaver was not injured in the collision. The car crash remains under investigation, police said. WATCH: KOOL & THE GANG'S ROBERT 'KOOL' BELL RECALLS PERFORMING WITH ELTON JOHN, VAN HALEN AND KID ROCK Kool & the Gang's rep shared a heartfelt tribute with Fox News Digital on Sumler's death. "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," the statement read. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS"Most recently, Mike helped Kool with LeKool champagne events. Everyone here at Kool & the Gang has fond memories of Mike and will miss him. May he rest in peace." Sumler's death comes one year after the iconic R&B, funk and soul band, known for hits like "Celebration" and "Jungle Boogie," celebrated their 60th anniversary. In March 2024, Kool & the Gang's Robert "Kool" Bell marveled at how the group continues to tour and create new music after six decades. "It's been a blessing this year as we celebrated 60 years [since] our first record came out," Bell said in an interview with Fox News Digital. "The band started as a jazz band in 1964. And, of course, The Soul Town Band, Kool & the Flames." Kool & the Gang was founded by Bell, his brother Ronald Bell and their New Jersey high school friends Ricky Westfield, George Brown, Spike Mickens, Dennis Thomas and Charles Smith, all of whom comprised the band's original lineup. The group started as a jazz and soul band called the Jazziacs but later went through several name changes, including The Soul Town Band and Kool & the Flames. After settling on the moniker Kool & the Gang, the band landed a recording deal with Redd's independent label De-Lite Records and released their self-titled debut album in 1970. Kool & the Gang has released 25 studio albums to date, with their latest being 2021's "Perfect Union." The band has won two Grammy Awards and has sold over 70 million albums worldwide.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Kool & The Gang's Michael Sumler killed in horror crash at the age of 71
Kool & The Gang's Michael Sumler has reportedly died at the age of 71 after getting into a car crash over the weekend. Sumler passed away in Cobb County, Georgia, after the vehicle he was driving in collided with another car, according to Fox 5. The crash occurred right before midnight on Saturday on Veterans Memorial Highway, close to Buckner Road. He reportedly died at the scene. has contacted representatives for Kool & The Gang for comment. The mayor of Mableton, Michael Owens, praised Sumler - who is also known as ' Chicago Mike' - in a statement released following his death. He said: 'We are saddened by the death of musician Michael Sumler. 'Chicago Mike' contributed so much to the music and entertainment communities. 'His style and energy added flare and excitement to Kool and the Gang for decades. The city of Mableton, council members and I join his family, friends and fans in mourning his loss.' Kool & The Gang formed in 1964 in Jersey City, New Jersey, and by 1969, the group had their self-titled first album. Some of their top songs were Ladies Night, Too Hot, Jungle Boogie, Celebration and Cherish. A longtime member of the band, Sumler joined Kool & The Gang in 1985 after getting introduced by a member of the group's security team. He told the Kelly Talk Show in 2018: 'I had a local band out of Chicago called Power Pac. 'One of the Kool & 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".' Sumler then travelled to Minneapolis to meet with the band at Prince's soundstage before joining the group as a stylist choreographer. He said: 'I started out as a stylist choreographer, because he introduced me as that. But once they saw that I could do some other things, they said, we need to have you on stage.' His role with the band evolved from opening for the group by dancing to Kool & The Gang music with a boombox on his shoulder before he did background singing. He said: '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". 'So I started coming on doing background singing and just working the whole show... just creating even more moves for the band.' Kool & The Gang has had many members join its ranks ever since it first began, but it was originally founded by seven musicians, the majority of whom are now deceased. The group was launched by brothers Robert 'Kool' Bell (bass) and Ronald Bell (keyboards), Dennis Thomas (saxophone), Robert Mickens (Trumpet), Ricky West (keyboards), George Brown (drummer), and Charles Smith (guitarist). Robert 'Kool' Bell is the only surviving founding member of the band left. 'I know they're looking down and having a happy time also, so I'm thankful that we finally got in,' Robert told last year of his late bandmates ahead of the group's induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Kool & The Gang's Michael Sumler dead at 71: 'Chicago Mike' killed in horror car crash
Kool & The Gang's Michael Sumler has reportedly died at age 71 after getting into a car crash over the weekend. Sumler passed in Cobb County, Georgia after the vehicle he was driving collided with another car, according to Fox 5. The crash occurred right before midnight Saturday on Veterans Memorial Highway, close to Buckner Road. The legendary musician reportedly died at the scene. The mayor of Mableton, Michael Owens, praised Sumler - who is also known as ' Chicago Miker' - in a statement released following his death. 'We are saddened by the death of musician Michael Sumler. 'Chicago Mike' contributed so much to the music and entertainment communities. His style and energy added flare and excitement to Kool and the Gang for decades. The city of Mableton, council members and I join his family, friends and fans in mourning his loss,' he said. Kool & The Gang formed in 1964 in Jersey City, New Jersey and by 1969 had their self-titled first album.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Georgia WWII veteran Charlie Duncan celebrates 106th birthday with honors, memories
The Brief Charlie Duncan will be 106 on May 27, but his friends and family held a party for him on Sunday. On the night of his birthday, he'll be honored with a special proclamation at the Cobb County Board of Commissioners meeting. Duncan was sworn into the US Army 81 years ago on his 25th birthday. He recently attended a veteran's luncheon where there were four other World War II veterans. He said he was the oldest. COBB COUNTY, Ga. - A Georgia World War II veteran is celebrating a major birthday. Charlie Duncan is turning 106 years old on May 27. What they're saying "Nobody in my family lived past 84. Here I am 106," said Charlie Duncan. Friends and family held a birthday party for him at Rally Point Grille in Woodstock on Sunday. "There were 62 people there. We had a good lunch and had a sit-down lunch," said Charlie. Inside the restaurant there's a photo of Charlie on the wall. He's a World War II veteran. He was sworn into the US Army on his 25th birthday. After the military, Charlie came home to the Cobb County and Cherokee County areas. He says over the last 100-plus years there have been a lot of changes. "This was all farm land. Highway 5 was a little two-lane road," said Charlie. He says he wouldn't want to step back in time. "It was a hard life on the farm back then, especially during the depression. You couldn't get a job making 50 cents a day," said Charlie. Charlie spent 37 years in the mill work industry. He retired when he was 62 and kept busy. "I had a big garden and I had a workshop in my basement," said Charlie. He has two children, grandchildren, and was married a total of 83 years. "Thirty-nine years to my first wife and 44 years to my second wife," he said. These days, he spends time with family and occasionally attends veteran luncheons. "There was five of us sitting around a table. World War II veterans," said Charlie. He says he was the oldest; The others were just in their 90s. It's also very likely he was the most active. He says he square danced for decades. "We square danced for 37 years. My wife and I did. Square dancers came up here when I was 103, and they wanted me to get up and dance, and I did. Then they came back this year and wanted me to dance, and I said no, I'm too clumsy," said Charlie with a laugh. He was also a water aerobics fanatic, all the way up until last fall. Charlie says that's what's kept him going all these years. "Stay active, that's all I got to say: stay active and eat well, eat fruits and vegetables," said Charlie. What's next Tuesday evening, on Charlie's 106th birthday, he will be honored with a proclamation at the Cobb County Board of Commissioners meeting. The Source FOX 5's Denise Dillon spoke with Georgia WWII veteran Charlie Duncan, who is turning 106 this week.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Emaciated pets discovered in Cobb County woman's apartment
The Brief Destiny Jackson faces animal cruelty and abandonment charges after leaving three pets in deplorable conditions, resulting in one dead and two near death. The apartment was found uninhabitable, with scattered possessions, feces, and urine; Jackson has not been seen since January, and an arrest warrant is issued. Cobb County Animal Services emphasizes available resources for pet owners unable to care for their animals, and the surviving cat and dog have been adopted. COBB COUNTY, Ga. - A 24-year-old Cobb County woman is facing charges after authorities say she abandoned three pets in deplorable conditions at a local apartment complex, leaving one of the animals dead and two others near death. What we know Animal cruelty and abandonment charges have been filed against Destiny Jackson, who rented a unit at The Parc @ 75 on Delk Road. Investigators say she left behind a dog, a cat, and a reptile—potentially for weeks, if not months. The surviving animals, an orange tabby cat and a Shih Tzu dog, were discovered emaciated and clinging to life. What they're saying "They were very near death," said Steve Hammond, director of Cobb County Animal Services. "You could touch and feel every bone in their body. They were both well underweight and had probably started into cannibalizing the muscle to survive." A bearded dragon was also found inside the apartment, but it did not survive. "The bearded dragon was deceased," Hammond said. Authorities described the apartment as uninhabitable, littered with scattered possessions and reeking of urine. "There was feces all over the place, urine as well," Hammond said. "The conditions were unsuitable for people or animals." An arrest warrant has been issued for Jackson. Apartment management told investigators she had not been seen since January. Police are continuing efforts to locate her. "She'll be arrested and charged with aggravated cruelty to animals and abandonment of domestic animals," Hammond said. Big picture view Hammond emphasized that resources are available for pet owners who are unable to continue caring for their animals. "We're a resource for the community," he said. "If you have an animal you can't keep, can't care for, then you can turn the animal into us and we'll do everything we can to get the animal adopted." What's next Despite the grim discovery, there is some positive news—both the cat and dog were nursed back to health and have since been adopted into new homes. The Source FOX 5's Denise Dillon spoke with Steve Hammond, director of Cobb County Animal Services, for this article. A police report was obtained from the Cobb County Police Department. Jail records were obtained from the Cobb County Sheriff's Office.
