Michael Sumler of Kool & the Gang has died. He was 71 years old.
The band confirmed his death with a statement, saying that “Chicago Mike” made sure the band “looked their best on stage every night”
Sumler joined the group in 1985 after becoming friends with the band’s security team
Michael Sumler, a member of R&B band Kool & the Gang, has died. He was 71.
In a statement shared with PEOPLE, the musical group confirmed Sulmer’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 2004-2015, making sure the guys looked their best on stage every night.”
“He also enthused the crowd with his energy and dance moves. Most recently, Mike helped Kool with LeKool champagne events,” the statement continued. “Everyone here at Kool & the Gang has fond memories of Mike and will miss him. May he rest in peace.”
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Michael Sumler in Atlantic City in December 2005
According to Fox 5 Atlanta, the musician, who was known as “Chicago Mike,” died over Memorial Day Weekend in a car crash in Mableton, Ga. Sumler, who was driving his own car, had collided with another car on Sunday evening, May 25. He died at the scene.
Mableton mayor Michael Owens released a statement following Sumler’s death on Wednesday, May 28. “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.”
“The City of Mableton, City Council and I join his friends, family and fans in mourning his loss.”
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Sumler joined the band — which had already been around since 1964 — in 1985 and was formed in New Jersey. The group is known for their dance hits “Celebration,” “Get Down on It,” “Ladies’ Night” and “Jungle Boogie.”
During a 2018 appearance on the Georgia-based Kelly Talk Show, Sumler shared how he became part of Kool & the Gang. “I had a local band out of Chicago called Power Pac,” he said of the high-energy band.
“One of the Kool and the Gang security guys caught our act in the club in Chicago and we became friends.”
The security guard asked Sumler to come and meet the R&B band with him in Minneapolis. Sumler said that he started out as a stylist-choreographer because that’s how he was introduced. “Once they saw that I could do some other things, they said we need to have you onstage.”
Sumler said he started as an opener/hypeman for the beginning of their shows due to his energetic presence and wound up joining the group as an official member, helping with backup vocals.
In the 2018 interview, Sumler also spoke about how great it was to see the band celebrated while performing for hundreds of thousands of people.
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
Kool and the Gang, circa 1970
The band, which has won two Grammy Awards, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2015. For the band’s 60th anniversary in May 2023, they embarked on their Kool & the Gang Rock the World Tour. They also released a new album People Just Wanna Have Fun that July.
In 2024, Kool & the Gang were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
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