R&B legend, singer for legendary band killed in car crash

Tributes are pouring in for a legendary R&B singer who was known as always being the “life of the party”.

Michael Sumler, a singer for the American band Kool & the Gang, has died aged 71 after a horror car crash.

Tributes are pouring in for the band’s beloved hype-man, known as “Chicago Mike”, as he is remembered for always being the “life of the party”.

Sumler died after a car crash just outside Atlanta, Georgia, on Saturday night.

The soul icon was driving a black Nissan when it collided with another car. He was pronounced dead shortly after the initial crash, Cobb County Police Department said.

Michael Sumler, also known as ‘Chicago Mike’, has died aged 71. Picture: Facebook

The 33-year-old driver of the other car was not injured in the crash.

Sumler was known for being a fun and insightful music industry mogul who featured as a backing vocalist for the legendary Kool & the Gang for over three decades.

Sumler’s friend, Adrian Meeks, told Fox 5 Atlanta his death came as “a devastating blow” for all those who knew him.

Sumler first joined the iconic band in 1985 and would go on to mentor several young musicians as part of the group.

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.”

Band 'Kool & The Gang'. Picture: Supplied

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.

The popular band were the longest performing R&B group in history.

Chicago Mike featured as a backing vocalist for the legendary Kool & the Gang. Picture: Redferns

The group’s first major breakthrough came in 1973 with the release of the album Wild and Peaceful, which featured the iconic hit single Funky Stuff.

The addition of lead vocalist Taylor and producer Eumir Deodato propelled the band to new heights, leading to their all-time classic hit Celebration in 1980 — now a staple at parties worldwide.

Kool & the Gang would later be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2024.

And in 2015, the band was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Sumler is just the latest member of the group to pass away after The Gang’s drummer George Brown most recently passed away in 2023 after a battle with cancer.

The iconic group are set to headline the UK festival Boogietown in July alongside UB40 and Billy Ocean.

This article originally appeared in Page Six and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as R&B legend, singer for legendary band killed in car crash