Classix Remembers Kool & The Gang's "Chicago Mike" Sumler

We are heartbroken to report that Michael Sumler, a longtime member of the R&B/Funk group Kool & The Gang, tragically lost his life in a car crash in Cobb County at the age of 71.

As reported by Fox 5 Atlanta, Sumler, affectionately known in the industry as “Chicago Mike,” was behind the wheel when his car collided with another vehicle just before midnight on Saturday (May 28) on Veterans Memorial Highway near Buckner Road.

Authorities say that Sumler died at the scene.

“Chicago Mike” joined the legendary band in 1985, initially as a stylist and choreographer. He would later become the band’s hype man, pumping up the crowd before the show, as well as providing background vocals.

Condolences have poured in from some of his colleagues and friends. Adrian Meeks of Song Source Music Group said of Sumler, “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.” Meeks described Sumler as “always jovial, always just kind, always wanting to make sure everybody else around him was good.”

Greg Williams of the band Switch called Sumler “one of these people God put on a planet to teach people how to act because he was kind, he was thoughtful, he was intelligent, he was articulate and he was the life of the party.”

Sumler has also been a supporter and friend of Classix 102.9, sharing many memories with our crew, especially our midday personality Niecey Shaw. Beyond a shadow of doubt, he will be greatly missed.