Expressing a raw and impulsive style of rock roll, Henry Lee Summer taught himself guitar, piano, and drums by playing along with the best in country, RB, rock roll, and blues, always adding his own voice and style. Summer recorded his first single, "Sweet Love," in 1982 and put out three more original songs on various samplers. Majestic released his first full-length album, Stay With Me, in 1984. It sold over a half million copies and was followed by Time for Big Fun in 1986. CBS also released three albums of his during the '80s. Summer signed with Epic in 1987 and released a self-titled album in 1988, followed by two more albums every two years. Summer also spent much of the '80s behind the scenes of the music trade by acting as lighting director and stage manager for venues of 500 to 3,000 seats. This gave him the opportunity to be a support act for artists such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eddie Money, Chicago, and Richard Marx.
"Til Somebody Loves You," a single, was released by Sony in 1991, and in 1993, Sony released Slamdunk featuring several favorites on it, including "The Boys and the Girls Are Doin' It" and "Forever Just Ain't What It Used to Be." Summer's next big CD came out in June 1999, released by Moon Pie. Smoke and Mirrors was a rock roll fan's delight of all new lyrics and sounds, an eclectic mixture of Summer's songwriting that represented his 25 years of writing for and being in front of an enthusiastic audience. His sales over the years have topped well over the million mark, and although most of his touring is in Indiana, he has appeared on the Arsenio Hall Show and Late Show With David Letterman. He also married and raised four children during this period, and successfully supported himself and family with music since he was 17.
During the hot, humid month of August 1999, Summer took three nights and recorded a two-CD set of his greatest hits, titled Live. He was successful in creating an album that left listeners feeling they were actually there, using his improvisational skill to develop a passionate and intimate musical blending with his listeners.
In September 2001, Big Drum was self-released, featuring live shows with his band that capture the fun, spirit, and passion of interacting with the audience. Presenting an array of styles on the album, Summer tops it off with "Prime of Life," an autobiographical peek into his life.
- Eleanor Ditzel, All Music Guide
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