Michael Sumler, the longtime hype man and stylist for legendary funk band Kool & the Gang, died May 25 in a car crash in Mableton, Georgia. He was 71.
The collision occurred at approximately 11:35 p.m. on Veterans Memorial Highway west of Buckner Road in Cobb County. Sumler was pronounced dead at the scene by the Cobb County Medical Examiner’s Office, while the 33-year-old driver of the other vehicle, identified as Khary Weaver, was not injured.
Known as “Chicago Mike,” Sumler had performed earlier that evening at the Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre as part of “An Evening of Funk With Midnight Star, Con Funk Shun, and Rose Royce.” Con Funk Shun frontman Michael Cooper paid tribute to Sumler, indicating they had no idea that Sunday night’s performance would be his last.
Sumler joined Kool & the Gang in 1985 after meeting a member of the band’s security team while performing with his Chicago-based group Power Pac. In a 2018 interview with the Kelly Talk Show, Sumler explained how one of Kool & the Gang’s security personnel caught his act at a Chicago club and they became friends.
Initially brought on as a stylist-choreographer, Sumler’s role quickly expanded. He noted that once the band saw his additional talents, they decided to feature him onstage. His duties evolved to include serving as the group’s opening hype man, energizing crowds with dance moves while carrying a Sony Walkman or boombox, and providing background vocals throughout shows.
Kool & the Gang confirmed Sumler’s death in a statement, describing him as their longtime wardrobe valet who worked with the band from 2000 to 2015. The group indicated that Sumler “made sure the guys looked their best on stage every night” and hyped crowds with his energy and dance moves.
Born November 1, 1953, in Chicago to John and Dorothy Sumler, he grew up in Kenwood and the Stateway Gardens housing projects. His father worked as a delivery driver for Miller Beer, while his mother was employed by the state as a computer operator. Sumler attended Bond Elementary School and Harper High School before pursuing his music career.
Mableton Mayor Michael Owens mourned Sumler’s death, stating that “Chicago Mike” contributed significantly to the music and entertainment communities, adding style and energy to Kool & the Gang for decades. The mayor noted that his style and energy added flair and excitement to the band’s performances.
Sumler’s influence extended beyond his stage performances. Friends described him as a mentor to younger musicians, actively helping them navigate the industry. Adrian Meeks of Song Source Music Group characterized Sumler as a bridge between inspiring artists and legendary performers, emphasizing his desire to see others succeed in the business he had been part of most of his life.
The crash remains under investigation by the Cobb County Police Department. Sumler’s apartment in Georgia contained extensive Michael Jackson memorabilia, reflecting his passion for the King of Pop and his tendency to perform Jackson routines.
Kool & the Gang, formed in 1964, achieved massive success with hits including “Celebration,” “Ladies’ Night,” “Jungle Boogie,” and “Get Down on It.” The group has won two Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2015. In 2024, they were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, with the citation noting their role as essential innovators in funk, soul, disco, and R&B.
Sumler is survived by daughters Monica Ford and Elisia White, son Alexander Jenkins, seven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren, along with his mother Dorothy Sumler. A celebration of life is scheduled for June 9 at Emanuel’s Chapel Funeral Home in Chicago, with funeral services planned for June 10 at Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church.
Robert “Kool” Bell remains the only surviving original member of Kool & the Gang, as the group has lost several founding members in recent years, including Ronald Bell in 2020 and George “Funky” Brown in 2023.
