American English Concert At Oak Lawn Library Canceled: UPDATE

OAK LAWN, IL — UPDATE: The American English concert set for Saturday at the Oak Lawn Public Library has been CANCELED.

American English has been called the “Beatles Incarnate” by the late Sam Leach, the original Beatles promoter and author of several books on the band. Jim Irizarry (John), Eric Michaels (Paul), James Paul Lynch (George) and Tom Gable (Ringo), all talented musicians in their own right, match the Beatles musical catalog note for note, lick for lick and harmony for harmony. The lads have roamed the world performing their Beatles' tribute show.

The show includes two sets, including the early years of Ed Sullivan includes classic Beatles favorites such as “She Loves You,” “Twist and Shout,” “I Want To Hold Your Hand” and many others.

>>> Beatlemania Comes To Oak Lawn Library For Beatles Week

The second set delves into the Beatles psychedelic era, including incredible versions of selections from Sgt. Pepper and Magical Mystery Tour. American English captures the very essence of John, Paul, George and Ringo.

The concert will go on, rain or shine, in the Cook Street parking lot behind the library A limited number of seats are available on a first come, first served basis. Patrons may bring their own chairs to sit on.

Be sure to check out the library’s “4EVER4: 60 Years Of The Beatles” exhibit featuring nearly 100 photographs of John, Paul, George and Ringo and memorabilia, which opened Thursday night and will be on view through July 1.

John Lyons, a history professor at Joliet Junior College, treated a mostly older audience, who grew up with the band, to a fascinating presentation tracing the Beatles’ connection to Chicago, including distribution of their first U.S. release months before their debut on the Ed Sullivan Show, vintage home movies of the Beatles’ 1965 concert at Comiskey Park, the suburban teen clubs and the local Chicago groups that formed inspired by the Beatles.

One woman brought in a framed program and ticket from the Beatles’ first Chicago concert in 1964 at the old International Amphitheater. (The ticket to the show cost $5.50 and fans sat on metal folding chairs during the Beatles 30-minute concert.)

4EVER4 is funded and sponsored by Republic Bank of Chicago.

PLEASE NOTE: Cook Avenue and Dumke Drive will be closed to all traffic starting Friday evening in preparation for the event. Alternate parking will be available in the Oak Lawn village hall lot on Raymond Avenue.