CHICAGO — Michael Sumler, who spent a decade and a half working with the iconic group Kool & the Gang, died over the weekend at age 71. According to reports, Sumler, known as “Chicago Mike,” was ...

Michael Sumler, Kool & the Gang's resident hype man for more than three decades, died in a car crash in Mableton, Ga., on Sunday. He was 71. The Cobb County Police Department confirmed Sumler's death ...

Michael Sumler, a member of R&B band Kool & the Gang, has died. He was 71. In a statement shared with PEOPLE, the musical group confirmed Sulmer's death. "We’re deeply saddened to hear about the ...

"Chicago Mike" became part of the R&B group in 1985 Marina Watts is a Digital Writer, Music at PEOPLE. She has been working at PEOPLE since 2024. Her work has previously appeared on Bustle, The US Sun ...