By: Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief, MuncieJournal.com—
GASTON, IN—The small Delaware County town of Gaston put on a really BIG show Saturday night as singer-songwriter Henry Lee Summer hit the stage in the heart of town and cranked out a full two hours of his hit songs from the 80’s & 90’s without a break.
Now age 63, Summer put his heart and soul into his performance in front of an appreciative crowd of hundreds who sang and danced along with him and his band during Gaston’s Street Festival event.
Summer recorded several highly successful albums for the Epic label during the 80’s & 90’s and toured with Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eddie Money, The Doobie Brothers, Chicago, Don Henley, Robert Palmer, Cheap Trick, 38 Special, Billy Idol and Richard Marx. Summer also shared the stage with John Mellencamp at a show in Indianapolis (1988) and another in Bloomington, Indiana (1992) that drew over 40,000 fans. On February 9, 2014, he was inducted into the Wabash Valley Musicians Hall of Fame.
A minor initial hiccup with the AC power briefly shut down his microphone, but gave Summer an opportunity to demonstrate his legendary sense of humor, and crazy antics which he repeated throughout the evening.
Summer’s set and hit list was impressive. From the soulful Darling Danielle Don’t to his most popular song, I Wish I Had a Girl, the hits just kept coming—one after another. His music set the tone for a nostalgic evening, and perhaps reminded attendees just how good a songwriter Summer is. His music moved some attendees to tears.
He performed Hey Baby, Wingtip Shoes, Just Another Day, Hands on the Radio and many more. Even some Rolling Stones cover tunes.
Summer has had some issues in the past, but he told the crowd, “I’m clean and I’ve never felt better. I’m having so much fun now.” And you could see he was having fun during the evening. The band was tight, and on-top of their game. The crowd loved the performance.
A view from behind the band showing the crowd in attendance. Photo by: Mike Rhodes
During the final moments of his set, an outstanding fireworks display appeared behind Summer and lasted through a few of his songs. The fireworks were truly impressive and provided a terrific and unexpected “Wow factor” to the live performance.
Well done, Gaston!
Amazing fireworks at the Gaston Henry Lee Summer Concert. Photo by: Mike Rhodes
For more information on Henry Lee Summer concert venues, visit http://www.henryleesummer.com
