Entertainment • Musician

Bert Sommer

Bert Sommer was an American folk and pop singer-songwriter born in New York City in 1949.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Bert Sommer was an American folk and pop singer-songwriter born in New York City in 1949. He is best known for performing in the original Broadway production of *Hair* and for his appearance at the Woodstock Festival in 1969. Sommer released several albums and continued performing until his death in 1990.

Early life

Bert Sommer was born in New York City on February 7, 1949, and grew up on Long Island. He began writing songs early and was connected to the Long Island music scene.

Career

Sommer became known as a folk singer and songwriter, appearing in *Hair* and recording several albums. He is also remembered for his Woodstock performance, which became one of the defining moments of his career.

Later years and death

In later years, Sommer lived in upstate New York and continued to perform locally. He died in Troy, New York, on July 23, 1990, from a respiratory illness.

Key facts

Sommer was an American singer-songwriter associated with folk and pop music.
He appeared in the original Broadway production of *Hair*.
He performed at the Woodstock Festival in 1969.
He released several albums during his career.
He died in 1990 of a respiratory illness.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Bert Sommer?

Bert Sommer was an American singer-songwriter known for folk and pop music, including work in *Hair* and a performance at Woodstock.

What is Bert Sommer best known for?

He is best known for appearing in the original Broadway production of *Hair* and for performing at Woodstock in 1969.

What genre of music did Bert Sommer perform?

He was primarily associated with folk and pop music.

Did Bert Sommer release albums?

Yes. He released several albums during his career as a singer-songwriter.

When did Bert Sommer die?

He died on July 23, 1990.

References

Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bert_Sommer
Supports: Birth and death dates, nationality, occupation, Woodstock and Hair participation, career overview.
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts — https://www.bethelwoodscenter.org/news/detail/bert-sommer-50-years-of-peace-music
Supports: Background, Long Island roots, local music activity, Woodstock-related historical context.
Apple Music — https://music.apple.com/us/artist/bert-sommer/325752011
Supports: Birth date, origin, genre, and career summary.
IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1452227/
Supports: Performance credits including Woodstock and Hair, later work, and death information.