Michael Sumler, the energetic performer and longtime associate of legendary R&B and funk group Kool & the Gang, lost his life in a vehicle collision in Mableton, Georgia, on Sunday night, May 25, 2025. He was 71 years old.
Sumler, widely recognized as “Chicago Mike” throughout the music community, was operating a black 2014 Nissan 370Z on Veterans Memorial Highway west of Buckner Road at approximately 11:35 p.m. when his car moved into opposing traffic lanes and struck a 2025 Kia Sorento in a head-on collision, according to Cobb County Police Department reports.
Emergency responders declared Sumler dead at the crash site, as confirmed by the Cobb County Medical Examiner’s Office. According to police records, the operator of the other vehicle, 33-year-old Khary Weaver, sustained no injuries in the collision.
Hours before the collision, Sumler had taken the stage at the Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre in Mableton for a concert featuring multiple acts, including Midnight Star, Con Funk Shun, and Rose Royce. The accident occurred while he was traveling home from this performance, which became his final show.
Mableton Mayor Michael Owens issued a public statement Wednesday expressing grief over Sumler’s passing. “This Memorial Day weekend, the world lost a music legend. Michael Sumler, known as ‘Chicago Mike’ of Kool and the Gang, died in a crash Sunday night on Veterans Memorial Highway near Buckner Road. He was 71,” the mayor stated.
Sumler became affiliated with Kool & the Gang in 1985, joining a group that had been performing for over two decades since its 1964 formation in New Jersey. By the time Sumler joined, the band had already established itself with popular tracks including “Celebration,” “Get Down on It,” “Ladies’ Night,” and “Jungle Boogie.”
The Chicago native’s journey to the renowned group began through his involvement with a local musical ensemble called Power Pac. In a 2018 interview on the Georgia-based Kelly Talk Show, Sumler recounted his introduction to Kool & the Gang’s organization. “I had a local band out of Chicago called Power Pac,” he explained during the television appearance. A security team member from Kool and the Gang discovered his group’s performance at a Chicago venue, leading to a friendship that opened doors to the larger organization.
This security connection facilitated Sumler’s meeting with the R&B ensemble in Minneapolis, where he was initially presented as someone specializing in styling and choreography. “Started out as a stylist choreographer. Because he introduced me as that. But once they saw that I could do some other things, they said, we need to have you on stage,” Sumler explained in the 2018 interview.
Sumler’s responsibilities expanded from backstage duties to becoming a prominent on-stage presence as the group’s crowd-energizing performer. His dynamic personality and movement abilities became integral elements of Kool & the Gang’s live presentations, serving to excite audiences before the main performances commenced. He simultaneously provided vocal support and managed wardrobe responsibilities, ensuring the ensemble maintained a professional appearance during performances.
Kool & the Gang released an official statement acknowledging Sumler’s death and recognizing his years of service. The group described their sadness regarding the loss of their longtime wardrobe assistant, noting his work with the organization from 2000 through 2015. They emphasized his dedication to ensuring the band maintained excellent stage appearances and his ability to energize audiences through his dynamic presence and dance performances.
Throughout the music industry, Sumler earned recognition as someone dedicated to supporting developing artists and musicians. Adrian Meeks from Song Source Music Group, who maintained a personal relationship with Sumler, characterized him as an individual committed to helping others achieve success in the entertainment business, where he had spent most of his professional life.
Sumler’s passing represents another significant loss for the historic group, which has experienced membership changes involving more than 40 individuals since its establishment. Among the original founding members, only Robert “Kool” Bell remains. The organization previously mourned the 2023 death of drummer and co-founder George “Funky” Brown, who succumbed to cancer after an extended battle with the disease.
Kool & the Gang’s artistic achievements span six decades of recording and performance, earning them two Grammy Awards and seven American Music Awards while producing 31 gold and platinum albums. In 2024, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame recognized the group’s contributions, citing their role as innovative forces in funk, soul, disco, and R&B music and creating some of rock and roll’s most danceable songs.
The ensemble received Hollywood Walk of Fame recognition in 2015 and marked their 60th anniversary in May 2023 through the Kool & the Gang Rock the World Tour. International sales of their recordings have exceeded 70 million albums throughout their career.
Music industry colleagues have expressed condolences following news of Sumler’s death. Con Funk Shun, one of the performing groups at Sumler’s final concert, published a social media tribute Tuesday acknowledging their relationship with him and expressing gratitude for his ongoing support.
The Cobb County Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances of the collision. Authorities request that anyone possessing information about the crash contact the department at 770-499-3987. Family members have not yet announced memorial service arrangements, with friends indicating they await word from Sumler’s relatives regarding plans.
