Michael Sumler, a longtime member of Kool & the Gang’s family, has passed away at the age of 71 after his involvement in a car crash. Sumler served as the band’s wardrobe valet from 2000 to 2015, taking on the unique role of making sure that members of the group were in their best looks during their performances.
Apart from being in charge of the band’s attires, he was well-known for hyping up the audience at the beginning of every performance with his contagious enthusiasm and trademark dancing steps. The band’s publicist, in a statement given to Fox News Digital, announced the unexpected and tragic passing of Sumler, honoring his contributions to the musical group’s legacy.
Michael Sumler passed away in a car accident in Mableton, Georgia
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Reports revealed that on May 25, while driving on Veterans Memorial Highway, west of Buckner Road in Georgia’s Cobb County, Sumler was involved in a fatal car crash in Mableton. The Cobb County Police Department confirmed that the incident occurred around 11:35 PM and saw Sumler’s vehicle collide with another driver, 33-year-old Khary Weaver, who sustained no injuries in the collision.
The Medical Examiner pronounced Sumler dead at the scene, though the exact circumstances leading to the crash remain unclear. However, the Cobb County Police Department has revealed that they have launched a full-scale investigation into uncovering the details of the fatal collision.
Mayor of Mableton, Michael Owens, pays tribute to Michael Sumler on his passing
The City of Mableton, where the tragic event occurred, has joined Kool & the Gang to mourn the loss of its beloved member. In a statement, the City’s mayor, Michael Owens, alongside members of the City Council, expressed heartfelt condolences to Sumler’s loved ones and admirers. He underlined the tremendous influence of the late Kool & the Gang’s member as a music icon while acknowledging the general feeling of loss being experienced by fans and the entertainment industry as a whole due to the death of the beloved musician.
The mayor emphasized the need to celebrate Sumler’s legacy, not merely as a gifted artist but also as a beloved person who, through his numerous works, brought joy to people all over the world.