Bye George. I Think We've Got It!

On Saturday, December 1st, what started out to be a Chicago charity concert titled 'Breakfast With The Beatles', at the House of Blues for The Rainbow Foundation, evolved to be the first tribute in the world to George Harrison, following his death on November 29th.

The show originally scheduled to showcase Beatle related talents from celebrity artists such as Pete Best; the original Beatle drummer, Denny Laine from Wings, Joey Molland from Badfinger, Spencer Davis of The Spencer Davies Group, and Chicago based Beatle tribute show American English, quickly shifted gears and responded to the sad news of Harrison's passing. With media from across the country seeking the comments of Harrison's colleagues and friends, the local event turned into a national memorial to the quiet Beatle.

Sam Leach, who presented the event on behalf of The Rainbow Foundation, is the original Beatle promoter from 1960-1962 and a personal friend of Harrison. "George, this is for you. Sleep well George," said Leach, from the House of Blues stage as the show opened. "I know George would have wanted this show to go on. Beatle music is happy music, and he would have wanted this because it is aiding in helping others. Isn't this just like George to aid others, even in his death?" questioned Leach.

The show beginning at 9:45 a.m. with an All Star house band was directed and produced by Joe Vana of Mecca. The set showcased several other non-Beatle related artists from across the country who sang Beatle songs and memorable tunes from their careers in rock.

Jim Peterik, Grammy award winning songwriter and lead singer from the band Survivor, took the stage singing his anthem of the 80's Eye of The Tiger. In the later part of the All Star set, Peterik and Johnny Van Zant of Lynrd Skynrd debuted their sobering new hit single The Day America Cried. The song was written, sung and dedicated to generate funds and support for the 911 Disaster Relief Project in New York. Fergie Frederiksen, formerly of Toto, sang Maybe I'm Amazed and Toto's classic song, Hold The Line. Joey Molland of Badfinger riveted the crowd with his celebrated hit from the past; No Matter What. The British legend, Spencer Davis, of The Spencer Davis Group, finalized the All Star set with his stimulating and anthemic hit song; Gimme Some Lovin'.

Other notable musicians such as Kevin Chelphant formerly of Journey, Terry Brock, formerly of Kansas, Randy Jackson of Zebra, and Joe Vana of Mecca also performed in the All Star set that ran approximately 90 minutes.

Beginning around 12:30 pm, American English, the headliner, appeared on the stage recreating a dynamic and historical presentation visually and vocally of the Fab Four. Eric Michaels (aka Paul McCartney) moved the crowd with accolades to George and his contributions throughout his life.

Michaels, Kevin Mantegna (aka John Lennon), Martin Scott (aka George Harrison), and Tom Gable (aka Ringo Starr), brought to life the works and magic of Beatle music as they played the hits of the early sixties in their black suits. In American English's second set, which represented the Sgt. Pepper and Magical Mystery Tour era, the band glittered and glowed in their satin Sgt. Pepper jackets through the haze of smoke that encircled them on the stage. Ken Zemanek, the synthesist and electronic maestro for the second set, supported the band with special sound affects that made the psychedelic Beatle repertoire a chilling fantasy come true for all.

American English, a now internationally famous and respected Beatle tribute just returned from Liverpool with the legendary Beatle promoter Sam Leach. Leach, being the first promoter to ever book a Beatle tribute show in the prestigious ballrooms that The Beatles had played in their earlier years, confidently boasts American English as "The Beatles incarnate." The band, due to their realistic portrayal of The Beatles, has impressed celebrity musicians and audiences of all kinds with their exacting precision of Fab Four music that was never done live.

Following the set, Howie Casey, saxophonist from Wings, and soloist on McCartney hit My Love performed the classic with Eric Michaels of American English. Additionally, the horn section represented by Steve Howard, Thaddeus Richard and Jeff Robbins) most being McCartney session musicians, and originals in McCartney's Rockestra cast, assisted the band in songs such as Got To Get You into My Life, Lady Madonna and Let It Be.

Joining American English with their guest appearances in the finale of Paul McCartney's 1984 Grammy award winning music from the Concert of Kampuchea, Pete Best, Denny Laine, Spencer Davis, Joey Molland, Howie Casey, Steve Howard, Thaddeus Richard, Jeff Robbins, Fergie Fredericksen, Terry Brock, and Kevin Chelphant, picked up guitars, horns and mikes and united with the Chicago tribute show. In a collaborated effort to perform famous hits such as Jet, and Live and Let Die, Laine's famous song from the Moody Blues Go Now, Lucille, and Rockestra, the eerie recreation left the crowd amazed and mystified.

"To my old pal George.... and Linda," Laine said, as he chugged the opening guitar strums to the song Jet. "I would like to dedicate this song to George. George was a very spiritual person, he was the first friend I made with The Beatles... he lived down the road from me. I know you love him, and I love him, God bless you George!" said a melancholy Laine, as he introduced the Wings hit song Live and Let Die.

With the audience chanting "Pete! Pete! Pete!" in unison at the former Beatle drummer, Best, pounded his drum sticks under the spot light through the finale of Rockestra, bringing authenticity and thrills to the devote Beatle fans. The concert ended in an uproar of thunderous applause at about 02:45.

Attendee's awestruck with the recreation of The Beatles and Wings set, smiled, waved and cheered as the artists departed behind the final curtain. The entire show was produced by Robert Sheridan. Sheridan, A TBA Entertainment employee, donated his time and talent to the Rainbow Foundation for the event.

The Rainbow Foundation, founded by John Schenk and Mark Battaglia with it's initial intention to benefit families in distress, also aided in helping hundreds and thousand who attended and heard of the event thought the media, cope with the passing of George Harrison and all that he represented. It was indeed a day to remember in the history of Beatle and Wings music in the world, Chicago and for The Rainbow Foundation.

Debbie De Stefano
TWIL Issue Eight August 2002