Mike Sumler, Kool & the Gang Hype Man, Dies at 71

by

Mike Sumler, hype man of the Grammy Award-winning group Kool & the Gang, has died. He was 71.

On Memorial Day weekend, as reported by Fox 5 Atlanta, Sumler tragically passed away in a car accident. His demise was announced by the R&B group through a post they shared on their platform on Wednesday.

We are extremely sorry to learn that our longtime wardrobe assistant, Mike Sumler, has passed away,” Kool & the Gang posted on X. “Mike worked with Kool & the Gang from 2000-2015, ensuring that the band members always looked sharp on stage each night. He also energized the crowd with his enthusiasm and dance moves during performances.

In 1985, Sumler encountered the illustrious band, Kool & the Gang, while he was performing with his group, Power Pac. Reflecting on this encounter during an interview with the Kelly Talk Show in 2018, Sumler shared that one of Kool & the Gang’s security personnel witnessed their performance at a club in Chicago and they subsequently formed a friendship.

He kept going along with the group, serving both as their stylist and choreographer. However, once they realized his versatility, they requested he join them on stage. This is when Sumler started performing alongside the “Get Down on It” hitmakers as their hype man. Later, he also contributed background vocals to their music.

Throughout their career, Kool & the Gang have been nominated for three Grammys and won one in 1979 for Best Album of the Year, which they earned for their contributions to the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack.

In 2015, the team was awarded a star on the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame, followed by their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2024.

Read More

2025-05-30 18:24