United Kingdom, May 28 -- Kool and the Gang singer Michael Sumler has died aged 71.

The energetic backing vocalist for the iconic group, known to fans as 'Chicago Mike', was killed following a car crash in Georgia.

He was behind the wheel of a black Nissan when it collided with another vehicle on Veterans Memorial Highway at Buckner Road, just outside Atlanta, on Saturday (24.05.25) night, with news of his death only emerging on Wednesday. (28.05.25) According to the Cobb County Police Department, he was pronounced dead shortly after the crash.

The 33-year-old driver of the other vehicle was not injured.

A singer and mentor within Kool and the Gang for nearly 40 years, Michael joined the group in 1985 and quickly became a crowd favour...