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Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Mike Sumler, Kool & the Gang Hype Man, Dies at 71
Mike Sumler, hype man of the Grammy Award-winning group Kool & the Gang, has died. He was 71. Sumler died in a car crash during Memorial Day weekend, according to Fox 5 Atlanta. The R&B group confirmed his death in a Wednesday post on X. More from The Hollywood Reporter Taylor Swift Buys Back Rights To Her First Six Albums Years After Scooter Braun Drama Who's Who in the Sean "Diddy" Combs Trial: Key Witnesses, Industry Enablers and Victims So Far Miley Cyrus Releases Ninth Album, 'Something Beautiful' 'We're deeply saddened to hear about the passing of our longtime wardrobe valet, Mike Sumler,' Kool & the Gang wrote. '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.' Sumler first crossed paths with the group in 1985 when he was performing with his own band, Power Pac. He looked back on the experience of meeting Kool & the Gang in a 2018 interview with Kelly Talk Show when he said that 'One of the Kool & the Gang security guys caught our act in the club in Chicago and we became friends.' He continued to travel with the group as their stylist-choreographer, but 'once they saw that I could do some other things, they said we need to have you onstage.' That's when Sumler joined the 'Get Down on It' hitmakers as their hype man; he went on to provide background vocals for their music. Kool & the Gang has earned three Grammy nominations and one win in 1979 for album of the year for their work on the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. They received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2015 and were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame last year. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Most Anticipated Concert Tours of 2025: Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar & SZA, Sabrina Carpenter and More Hollywood's Most Notable Deaths of 2025 Hollywood's Highest-Profile Harris Endorsements: Taylor Swift, George Clooney, Bruce Springsteen and More
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Kool & the Gang singer Michael Sumler dies at 71 in horror car crash
Since the horror smash tributes have flooded in for the soul music icon, remembered by many as the 'life of the party.' Kool & the Gang singer Michael Sumler has tragically died at 71 in a horror car crash. The incident unfolded on May 24 near Buckner Road, where Sumler's vehicle collided with another near Atlanta, Georgia. Since the horror smash tributes have flooded in for the soul music icon, remembered by many as the 'life of the party.' Sumler's friend Adrian Meeks said in a statement to Fox 5 Atlanta: 'It was a devastating blow. It's like no, no, no, not Mike.' After an impressive decades spanning Sumler was a familiar face and voice to generations of fans. Known for his high energy and crowd engagement, he served as the group's hype man, bringing an unmistakable spirit to every performance, reports the Mirror. Sumler first joined the iconic band in 1985 and would go on to mentor several young musicians. 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.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. 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. Following the sad news of his tragic death, fans have paid tribute to Michael on social media. One X user lovingly wrote: "RIP Michael 'Chicago Mike' Sumler. A true legend and the life of every stage he touched. Your voice, your energy, your spirit will never be forgotten." Another echoed: "So sad to hear about the passing of Michael Sumler, aka Chicago Mike. A powerhouse performer and beloved soul in the music world. Rest easy, legend." Someone else said: "Chicago Mike brought light, laughter, and soul wherever he went. Thank you for the music, the memories, and the magic. You'll be missed deeply." Another one of Michael's long-time fans penned: "The voice behind so many unforgettable moments, Michael 'Chicago Mike' Sumler leaves behind a legacy of funk, soul, and pure joy. Rest in power." While someone else shared their sadness as they wrote: "Can't believe Chicago Mike is gone. A true icon, a hype man with heart, and a friend to so many. We'll never forget you."
Metro
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Kool & The Gang legend Michael Sumler dies 'in car crash' aged 71
Michael Sumler, longtime member of funk and R&B group Kool & the Gang, has died at the age of 71. Sumler – also known as 'Chicago Mike' – was behind the wheel of his car in Cobb Country, Georgia, on Saturday evening when he collided with another vehicle, according to Fox 5 Atlanta. The outlet report that he died at the scene. Sumler, who spent over three decades with Kool & The Gang, is being remembered as the 'life of the party'. 'He was the hype guy out of the group, getting the audience going,' said Greg Williams of Switch Entertainment. 'He always wanted to see other people succeed in the business that he'd been around most of all of his life,' Adrian Meeks of Song Source Music Group told Fox 5. 'He was the bridge, you know, for inspiring artists and songwriters and producers and musicians to the legends.' More Trending Mableton's Mayor Michael Owens released a statement on Facebook in the wake of his death. 'We are saddened by the death of musician Michael Sumler,' he wrote . ''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.' This is a breaking news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates. If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. For more stories like this, check our entertainment page. Follow Entertainment on Twitter and Facebook for the latest celeb and entertainment updates. You can now also get articles sent straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push alerts here. MORE: Brad Pitt breaks silence on finalising 8-year divorce battle with Angelina Jolie MORE: Kings of Leon forced to cancel UK and European tour after 'freak accident' MORE: Lindsay Lohan wants her own version of the Sopranos after quitting Netflix rom-coms
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Michael Sumler Of Kool & The Gang, Dead At 71
Michael 'Chicago Mike' Sumler, longtime member of Kool & The Gang, died in a fatal car accident in Cobb County, Georgia over the weekend. He was 71. Fox5 Atlanta reported that Sumler was driving when his car 'collided with another vehicle just before midnight Saturday on Veterans Memorial Highway near Buckner Road.' He was pronounced dead at the scene. 'It was a devastating blow,' Adrian Meeks of Song Source Music Group told the outlet. 'It's like, no, no, not Mike. He always wanted to see other people succeed in the business that he'd been around most of all of his life. He was the bridge, you know, for inspiring artists and songwriters and producers and musicians to the legends […] He'll be dearly missed.' Meeks also described Sumler as 'always jovial, always just kind, always wanting to make sure everybody else around him was good.' Greg Williams of Switch Entertainment added, 'He was the hype guy out of the group, getting the audience going.' Sumler was part of Kool & The Gang for over three decades, but his loved ones confirmed that his true impact went 'far beyond the stage.' They shared how active he was in regard to mentoring the youth and helping rising acts maneuver the industry. Williams considered Sumler to be 'one of these people God put on a planet to teach people how to act because he was kind, he was thoughtful, he was intelligent, he was articulate and he was the life of the party.' With many of Sumler's family still in Chicago, his friends are waiting to speak with them before proceeding with memorial arrangements. VIBE sends our deepest condolences to all those from A Tribe Called Quest To Be Honored By Busta Rhymes During Rock & Roll HOF Induction Jordin Sparks, Lynda Dawn, Fousheé, And More New R&B Music With No Restrictions Mary J. Blige Talks Hall Of Fame Induction: "We Did It, My Fans And I"
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Kool & the Gang icon dead in tragic car crash
Michael Sumler, affectionately known as 'Chicago Mike' and the longtime hypeman and backing vocalist for Kool & the Gang, has died at age 71 following a fatal car crash near Atlanta, Georgia. The accident occurred Saturday night near Buckner Road, where Sumler's vehicle collided with another. Tributes have poured in for the soul music icon, remembered by many as the 'life of the party.' 'It was a devastating blow,' said Sumler's friend Adrian Meeks in a statement to Fox 5 Atlanta. 'It's like no, no, no, not Mike.' With a career that spanned more than three decades, Sumler was a familiar face and voice to generations of fans. Known for his high energy and crowd engagement, he served as the group's hype man, bringing an unmistakable spirit to every performance. Sumler first joined the iconic band in 1985 and would go on to mentor several young musicians. 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. Following the sad news of his tragic death, fans have paid tribute to Michael on social media. One X user lovingly wrote: "RIP Michael 'Chicago Mike' Sumler. A true legend and the life of every stage he touched. Your voice, your energy, your spirit will never be forgotten." Another echoed: "So sad to hear about the passing of Michael Sumler, aka Chicago Mike. A powerhouse performer and beloved soul in the music world. Rest easy, legend." Someone else said: "Chicago Mike brought light, laughter, and soul wherever he went. Thank you for the music, the memories, and the magic. You'll be missed deeply."
