Chicago Mike died in two-car collision after performing in Atlanta | Credit: Facebook
Michael Samler, known as Chicago Mike of legendary funk and R&B group Kool & The Gang, died in a car accident over the weekend in Cobb County, Georgia. He was 71 years old, several news outlets reported.
Samler, a frequent Costa del Sol visitor, was behind the wheel when another vehicle collided on the Veterans Memorial Highway near Buckner Road just before midnight on Saturday.
Mableton Mayor Michael Owens released Next Statement On facebook:
“We are saddened by the death of musician Michael Samler. The Chicago Mike has made a major contribution to the music and entertainment community. His style and energy have added flare and excitement to cool and gangsters for decades.
Sumler was performing at Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre in Mubleton before crashing.
“Our long-standing wardrobe bullet”
on facebook pageKool & The Gang Band said:
“Mike worked with Kool & The Gang from 2000 to 2015. “He also hyped the crowd with energy and dance moves at the top of the show. Recently, Mike helped out with Cool at Les Cool Champagne events. Everyone here at Cool & Gang has some favourite memories of Mike and I miss him.
“It was a devastating blow. It’s just like no, no, not the microphone,” said Adrian Meek of the songsource music group.
George Williams of Switch Entertainment said, “He was the guy in the group’s hype and moved the audience.”
People close to Samra say his influence is far beyond the stage. Even in the 70s, he continued to work in the music scene, coaching young musicians and helping them navigate the industry.
He liked to see others succeed
“He always wanted other people to succeed in the business that was centered around most of his life,” Meeks said. “He was a bridge to inspire legendary artists, songwriters, producers and musicians.”
A spokesman for the band confirmed his death. 11 Alive, Atlanta TV station, It has been reported That Samler was killed after Michael Cooper performed on Sunday evening with group Con Funk Shun, who paid tribute to Samler on social media.
“I didn’t know that Sunday night’s love train would be your last ride,” Cooper wrote. “Please rest in the peace of heaven.”
In another statement, Kool & The Gang described Sumler as “our longtime wardrobe valet,” saying he worked with the band from 2000 to 2015.
Crowd Hyper
Sumler “advertised the crowd with energy and dance moves at the top of the show,” the group added.
Known for hits such as “Ladies Night”, “Jungle Boogie”, “Get Down On” and “Celebration”, Cool & Gang was formed in the mid-1960s with Robert Bell (who went to Cool) and Ronald Karis Bell alongside some of his neighbours in Jersey City, New Jersey. It has been reported.
In 2021, Kool & The Gang became the first act to perform for a full-capacity crowd at the Hollywood Bowl after a long, unprecedented closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
