Overview

• The Cobb County Police Department says Sumler’s Nissan crossed into eastbound lanes on Veterans Memorial Highway near Buckner Road in Mableton, Georgia, around 11:35 p.m. on May 25, triggering a head-on collision that killed him and left the other driver uninjured.
• Sumler joined Kool & the Gang in 1985 as a stylist and choreographer before becoming their on-stage hype man and backing vocalist, roles he held for more than three decades.
• Robert “Kool” Bell and peers such as Con Funk Shun founder Mike Cooper highlighted Sumler’s vibrant stage presence and dedication to mentoring younger artists.
• Mableton Mayor Michael Owens released a statement mourning Sumler’s passing and praising his contributions to both the local entertainment scene and the global music community.
• Building on their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2024, Kool & the Gang is set to begin its next international tour in Germany on June 13, with U.S. dates yet to be announced.