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 of Kool & the Gang has died. He was 71 years old. The band confirmed his death with a statement, saying that "Chicago Mike" made sure the band "looked their best on stage every night" ...

Michael Sumler, affectionately known in the music world as “Chicago Mike,” has died following a car crash in Cobb County, Georgia. He was 71. Sumler, a longtime member of the iconic funk and R&B group ...

"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 ...