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Michael Sumler, longtime member of the legendary R&B and Kool & the Gang Funk Band, died. He was 71 years old.
Sumler, who originally worked as a wardrobe, before joining the group as an accompanying vocalist and performer on stage, was involved in a fatal car accident in Mableton in Georgia, on May 25 and died at the scene, according to the COBB Police Directorate. The office of the COB District medical examiner declared him dead, Fox News Digital found out.
The fatal collision took place on the memorial veteran’s memorial west of Buckner Road. Police reported that the car accident occurred around 11:35 pm.
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Michael Sumler, a beloved Kool & The Gang member, dies at the age of 71 in a fatal car accident. (Fox5; James Kriegsmann/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Sumler collided with a 33-year-old driver named Khary Weaver, police said in a press release. Weaver was not injured in the collision.
The collision of the car remains under investigation, police said.
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Kool & the Gang’s tail shared heartfelt honor with Fox News Digital into Sumler’s death.
“We are deeply sad when we hear about the passing of our longtime Vait wardrobe, Mike Sumler. Mike worked with Kool & The Gang of 2000-2015, ensuring that the guys look best on stage every night. He also covered the audience with his energy and dance moves at the top of the show,” said the statement.
Performance of Kool & Gang, including Sumler (Middle), December 31, 2005 at Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Donald Kravitz/Getty Images)
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“Recently, Mike helped Koolo to Lekool Champagne events. Everyone here in Kool & the Gang has dear memories of Mike and will miss him. Let him rest in peace.”
Surler’s death comes one year after an iconic R&B, Fun and Soul BandKnown for hits such as “Celebration” and “Jungle Boogie” celebrated the 6th anniversary.
Kool & The Gang, in 1985. (KPA/United Archives via Getty Images)
In March 2024, Robert “Kool”, Kool & Gang, raised that the group continued the tour and creates new music after six decades.
“This year was a blessing while we celebrated 60 years [since] Our first record came out, “Bell said in an interview with Fox News Digital.
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The group started as a jazz and soul band called Jazziacs, but later went through several name changes, including The Soul Town Band and Kool & The Flames. (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
“The band started as a jazz band in 1964. And, of course, Soul Town Band, Kool & The Flames.”
Kool & The Gang was founded by Bell, his brother Ronald Bell and their high school friends in New Jersey, Ricky Westfield, George Brown, Spike Mickens, Dennis Thomas and Charles Smith, who all made the original band’s lineup.
The group started as a jazz and souls The band called Jazziacs, but later went through several name changes, including Soul Town Band and Kool & The Flames.
Kool & Gang performed at Radio City Music Hall in New York, March 13, 1982, L to R: Robert ‘Spike’ Mickens, Michael Ray, Dennis ‘Dee Tee’ Thomas, James ‘JT’ Taylor, Robert ‘Kool’ Bell, Claydes Charles Smith. (Ebet Roberts/Redferns)
After settling at the Kool & The Gang Moniker, the band made a recording contract with the Redd Independent label of the De-Lite Records and released its 1970 debut album of the same name.
To date, Kool & The Gang have released 25 studio albums, and their latest “Perfect Union” 2021. The band won two Grammy Awards And it has sold over 70 million albums around the world.
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