Late-'80s Heartland Rocker Henry Lee Summer Creates Buzz for All the Wrong Reasons
Saturday September 30, 2006
Even as a former journalist for a small-town community newspaper, I became well acquainted with the inescapable truth that bad news almost always makes for better headlines than the good, heartwarming stuff. That same phenomenon dealt an ugly blow to '80s low-tier Indiana rocker Henry Lee Summer earlier this month, when news of his arrest and subsequent Tasering by police spread online like wildfire.I was initially hesitant to post about this incident because I felt that perhaps Mr. Summer shouldn't be kicked so gleefully when he's down. But let's face it, the image of a big-haired '80s rocker tear-assing through a trailer park in an SUV and then tussling with cops so heartily as to provoke electrical containment is pretty irresistible. I mean, Summer still tours regionally and functions as a recording artist, but like many '80s artists, he surely grapples with the reality that any new music he makes will make far less of a ripple than a B-list celebrity misstep like this. About now Summer must be wishing he had a song like that, capable of getting a charge out of people not dressed in uniforms with badges.
Album Cover Photo Courtesy of Epic Records
Comments
Bet he did it for the publicity, but in my opinion what he did has lessened his popularity, not much going on there.
I spent many, many, many Friday and Saturday nights enjoying Henry Lee on stage. We were friends, to the degree a local music sensation and local music reviewer can be friends. This is distressing. His popularity cannot be lessened, IMHO – Henry Lee is a bastian of regional rock and roll. If Tara Conner can be redeemed in the press, so can Henry Lee Summer. Give him a break, and turn up the stereo… it’s time for big fun!
Just like Tamara, I had a lot of GREAT memories on Friday and Saturday nights in Bloomington as a student rocking out and having a good time listening to him. I hope he turns his pain into more great music. I wish him the best.
I too, have great memories of Henry Lee performing in Fairmont, WV, in a motel lounge where I was employed while going to college. He was an unbeleivable singer and a really nice person. I am sorry for his misfortune.. With his talent, it would be a shame for this to end his music career.
The Vogue and The Patio in Broad Ripple !! Yeah Baby HLS was the MAN back in the 80’s. I will always remember when Henry first introduced me to John Mellencamp, he was still a Cougar then! Lots of fun was had my friends,
Meth is a bit#h and I hope he can get the monkey off his back. Lots of ole rockers are finding the past 50 years hard to deal with! Hope I die before I get old?…….pnly trouble is……we are OLD!!! God Speed Ole Buddy!!!