Kool & The Gang's Michael Sumler died over the weekend in a car crash in Georgia’s Cobb County. According to Fox 5 Atlanta, he collided with another vehicle on Veterans Memorial Highway. He was 71 years old.
Sumler was best known with Kool & The Gang for bringing an infectiously high energy to live shows, according to Billboard. With the group, he was known by the nickname, "Chicago Mike."
The group reflected on Sumler's passing in a statement on Facebook, Wednesday. They wrote: "We’re deeply saddened to hear about the passing of our longtime wardrobe valet, Mike Sumler. Mike worked alongside Kool & the Gang from 2000-2015, making sure the guys looked their best on stage every night. He also hyped the crowd with his energy and dance moves at the top of the show. Most recently, Mike helped Kool with LeKool champagne events. Everyone here at Kool & the Gang has fond memories of Mike and will miss him. May he rest in peace."
Fans joined in with supportive messages in the comments. "So sorry for your loss. He sure did keep you guys looking sharp. Love your work. Forever such talent is hard to come by. Carry on," one user wrote. Another added: "Such a shock. Mike was such a sweet man. So kind. All my deepest condolences to the Kool family and Mike's loved ones."
Mableton’s Mayor, Michael Owens, released a statement addressing Sumler's passing. “We are saddened by the death of musician Michael Sumler,” he wrote. “‘Chicago Mike’ contributed so much to the music and entertainment communities. His style and energy added flare and excitement to Kool and the Gang for decades. The city of Mableton, council members and I join his family, friends and fans in mourning his loss.”
Additionally, Adrian Meeks of Song Source Music Group told Fox 5: “He always wanted to see other people succeed in the business that he’d been around most of all of his life. He was the bridge, you know, for inspiring artists and songwriters and producers and musicians to the legends.”
Kool & The Gang previously lost drummer George Brown to cancer in 2023. Before that, sax player Dennis Thomas died in 2021 at the age of 70.
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Zayn Malik said he truly enjoyed returning to a “pop” sound for his collaboration with BLACKPINK member Jisoo on their track “Eyes Closed.”
The former One Direction singer recently joined her on the ballad and called it a major “honour” to work with someone he considers one of the leading voices “owning that genre” right now.
Speaking while hosting a special hour on BBC Radio 1, he said, “I have drifted away from the pop sound for a bit, so coming back to it with the people who are basically owning that genre at the minute was an honour.”
He added, “If I can say thanks to Jisoo, I am really happy with the way it turned out.”
Zayn also shared that his “cool collaborator” helped him score some serious dad points with his five year old daughter Khai, whom he shares with his former partner, Gigi Hadid.
He wrote on Instagram while posting promo photos from the release, “@sooyaaa__ Jisoo.. you’re an absolute legend, loved every part of this collaboration, thank you for making me the coolest dad around.”
Jisoo replied, “You already are.”
Although he stepped back into pop for “Eyes Closed,” Zayn recently revealed that his next album incorporates influences from Indian music.
The “Pillowtalk” singer confirmed that his fifth studio album will arrive next year and hinted that it will carry a similar spirit to his chart topping 2016 solo debut Mind of Mine.
Zayn was quoted by The Sun’s Bizarre column during a livestream saying, “The next album is soon.”
“I have been working on some cool s*** in South Asian music and bringing those influences into my music as well.”
“It is like pop, R+B, and a lot of Indian influences. The record is like a continuation of Mind of Mine in that sense. I might have some songs coming out in Urdu, too.”
