Summer recorded several successful albums for Epic during the 1980s and 1990s and toured with Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eddie Money, The Doobie Brothers, Chicago, Don Henley, Robert Palmer, Cheap Trick, 38 Special, and Richard Marx.
Summer performed at Farm Aid 4 in 1990 along with Elton John, Guns and Roses' last original lineup, and Mellencamp.
Summer pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated and was sentenced to a year's probation and ordered to pay a fine.
On November 10, 2009, in a resolution of all charges, Summer pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and was sentenced to a year's probation and 120 hours of community service.
[5] Henry Lee Summer produced, composed, arranged, or contributed lead vocals to several songs for movie soundtracks including: