Overview

• On May 24, Sumler’s 2014 Nissan 370Z veered into oncoming traffic on Veterans Memorial Highway near Buckner Road in Mableton, Georgia, resulting in a head-on collision that killed him instantly, according to Cobb County investigators.
• Known as “Chicago Mike,” Sumler joined Kool & the Gang in 1985 as a stylist and choreographer and later became the group’s hype man and backing vocalist, contributing to their dynamic live shows.
• Kool & the Gang confirmed his passing in a statement, mourning the loss of their longtime wardrobe valet and stage presence.
• Friends and fellow musicians, including Adrian Meeks and founding bassist Robert “Kool” Bell, as well as fans on social media, paid tribute to his mentorship of young artists and vibrant spirit.
• Sumler’s death follows the band’s 2024 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, underscoring a career that helped define funk, soul and R&B for multiple generations.