Latest news with #KoolandtheGang
New York Post
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Kool & the Gang's Michael Sumler dies in car crash at 71
Michael Sumler, a member of the iconic R&B band Kool & the Gang, tragically died at the age of 71 in a car accident. 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.
Perth Now
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Kool and the Gang singer Michael Sumler killed in car crash aged 71
Kool and the Gang singer Michael Sumler has died aged 71. The energetic backing vocalist for the iconic group, known to fans as 'Chicago Mike', was killed following a car crash in Georgia. He was behind the wheel of a black Nissan when it collided with another vehicle on Veterans Memorial Highway at Buckner Road, just outside Atlanta, on Saturday (24.05.25) night, with news of his death only emerging on Wednesday. (28.05.25) According to the Cobb County Police Department, he was pronounced dead shortly after the crash. The 33-year-old driver of the other vehicle was not injured. A singer and mentor within Kool and the Gang for nearly 40 years, Michael joined the group in 1985 and quickly became a crowd favourite for his dynamic performances and magnetic personality. He remained with the band through decades of global tours and chart-topping releases, contributing both vocally and as a guiding influence on younger musicians within the group. Michael's close friend Adrian Meeks told Fox 5 Atlanta his death was 'a devastating blow' to all who knew him. He said: '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, 73, the band's founding bassist and last surviving original member, also paid tribute. He said: 'It's a bittersweet feeling. We've lost another brother, and the stage won't be the same without Mike.' Kool and the Gang, formed in 1969, became one of the most enduring groups in R and B history. Over the course of their career, they won two Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, and released 31 gold and platinum albums. The band also notched up 25 Top Ten R B hits and nine Top Ten Pop hits. Their breakthrough came in 1973 with the album 'Wild and Peaceful', featuring the hit single 'Funky Stuff'. The later addition of lead vocalist James 'J.T.' Taylor and producer Eumir Deodato helped the band reach even greater heights, most notably with their 1980 global hit 'Celebration'. In 2015, Kool and the Gang were honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and in 2024, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
