Michael Sumler, a long-time member of Kool & the Gang, has died in a automobile crash.
Michael Owens, the mayor of Mableton, north of Atlanta, stated in a Fb submit: “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.”
Sumler died on the scene.
In a submit on Fb, the band stated: “We’re deeply saddened to hear about the passing of our longtime wardrobe valet, Mike Sumler.
“Mike labored alongside Kool & the Gang from 2000-2015, ensuring the fellows regarded their finest on stage each evening.
“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.”
Picture:
Kool & the Gang in 2018 (L-R): Dennis Thomas, George Brown, Robert ‘Kool’ Bell, and Ronald Bell. Pic: Reuters
Sumler was extensively described as a backing vocalist for the pop veterans, who fashioned in New Jersey within the Nineteen Sixties and rose to worldwide fame within the following 20 years.
Adrian Meeks, Sumler’s good friend, instructed Fox 5 Atlanta his demise got here as “a devastating blow” to all those that knew him.
He stated 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 quite a few modifications in personnel and have explored many musical kinds all through their historical past, together with jazz, rhythm and blues, soul, funk, disco, rock, and pop music since releasing their first album in 1969.
They’ve received quite a few accolades, together with two Grammy Awards, and have bought greater than 70 million albums worldwide.
