Henry Lee Summer

About

Henry Lee Summer was born Henry Lee Swartz on July 5, 1955, in Brazil, Indiana, and grew up with a deep passion for music across multiple genres. A multi-instrumentalist who taught himself guitar, piano, and drums by playing along with country, R&B, rock and roll, and blues legends, Summer honed his raw and impulsive rock and roll style throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s while touring the American Midwest and South. His breakthrough came in 1988 when a re-recorded version of "I Wish I Had a Girl" from his self-titled debut album on Epic Records climbed to number one on the Mainstream Rock chart and number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. Henry Lee Summer passed away in 2009.

Summer's infectious energy and accessible songwriting resonated with audiences during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Following the success of "I Wish I Had a Girl," he released "Hey Baby" in 1989 from his album *I've Got Everything*, which reached number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100. Though his chart presence was concentrated in a relatively brief window, Summer's ability to blend rock sensibilities with mainstream appeal demonstrated his gift for crafting memorable hooks and relatable songs that connected with listeners across the country.