Celebrate Beatles' 60th anniversary with '4EVER4' exhibit and historical presentation
On Aug. 18, 1962, four long-haired musicians in Liverpool, England, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, played together for the first time, captivating the attention of the world and the affection of our hearts.
Republic Bank of Chicago and West Chicago Park District are hosting "4EVER4," a photo exhibition celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Beatles.
The exhibit has nearly 100 photographs of the Beatles in concert, their antics off stage, record albums, their movies, concert posters, ticket stubs, contracts, touring schedules, and other historical photos.
The exhibit will be on display Aug. 20-26 at the ARC Center, 201 W. National St. in West Chicago.
In total, the Beatles were together as the Beatles, as we know them, for 7 years, 7 months, and 24 days for a total of only 2,793 days.
Within those 2,793 days, the Beatles began transforming our culture, dress, music, and ourselves starting in 1962 and continue to do so in 2022.
Sixty years ago, Ringo Starr joined the Beatles and the group released their first recording, "Love Me Do."
To commemorate these momentous events, John F. Lyons examines the impact of the Beatles on the Chicago metropolitan area.
The historical presentation "60 Years of the Beatles" will be offered from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26, at the ARC Center's Event Room 106. Tea and crumpets will be provided.
Through the use of music, video and many unseen photographs from the 1960s, this highly entertaining presentation reveals untold stories of the Beatles' visits to Chicago, highlights the connections between the Fab 4 and the Windy City, and discusses the diverse cast of characters who were engulfed by the whirlwind of Beatlemania.
Lyons was born in London, England. He lives in Chicago and works as a professor of history at Joliet Junior College, where he teaches classes in British and U.S. history. He has appeared on podcasts and radio shows discussing the Beatles and is a noted public speaker who has spoken to audiences in the U.S. and Europe.
"Joy and Fear: The Beatles, Chicago and the 1960s" (2021) is his fifth book.
Those interested in attending the historical program must RSVP no later than Friday, Aug. 19, at www.we-goparks.org/special-events.
This month, the exhibit is also appearing at West Chicago and Addison public libraries.
From Aug. 1-8, the exhibit will be on display at the West Chicago Public Library,
On Aug. 29 to Sept. 6, visit the second floor of the Addison Public Library.