John F. Lyons

@JohnFLyons2

Professor of History at Joliet Junior College, author of Joy and Fear: The Beatles, Chicago and the 1960s

Chicago

Joined December 2020

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6KFollowers

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John F. Lyons@JohnFLyons2 · Mar 2, 2021

My new book, Joy and Fear: The Beatles, Chicago and the 1960s, is published now! You can purchase the book at all the usual online retailers. simonandschuster.com/books/Joy-and-…

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John F. Lyons@JohnFLyons2 · 11 h

In 1964 Mick Jagger said the Beatles would last for 2 years. How long did he think The Rolling Stones would last? Happy birthday Mick!

JohnFLyons2's tweet image. In 1964 Mick Jagger said the Beatles would last for 2 years. How long did he think The Rolling Stones would last? Happy birthday Mick!

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John F. Lyons@JohnFLyons2 · Jul 24

I saw this on Facebook. Ozzy really did like the Beatles.

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John F. Lyons@JohnFLyons2 · Jul 23

In the autumn of 1976, BBC Radio One asked listeners to vote for their all-time favourite single. This shows how far the Beatles had fallen in the British imagination in 6 short years. This list has not aged well.

JohnFLyons2's tweet image. In the autumn of 1976, BBC Radio One asked listeners to vote for their all-time favourite single. This shows how far the Beatles had fallen in the British imagination in 6 short years. This list has not aged well.

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John F. Lyons Retweeted

Rolling Stone@RollingStone · Jul 22

Ozzy Osbourne, the singular metal legend whose Black Sabbath virtually invented heavy metal and in later years became a reality TV pioneer, has died at the age of 76. More on his life and legacy 🖤 rollingstone.com/music/music-ne…

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John F. Lyons@JohnFLyons2 · Jul 21

After watching the recent documentary, ABBA: Against the Odds, I had a new appreciation for the Swedish Fab 4. But I still can’t agree with this sign that I saw at a recent Sweden England football game! England won.

JohnFLyons2's tweet image. After watching the recent documentary, ABBA: Against the Odds, I had a new appreciation for the Swedish Fab 4. But I still can’t agree with this sign that I saw at a recent Sweden England football game! England won.

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John F. Lyons@JohnFLyons2 · Jul 19

Maconie has produced some wonderful, whimsical books on British culture, his latest tells the story of 100 people who played an influential part in the Beatles story. Aside from some silly errors, this is an engagingly written, feel good book, and there is nothing wrong with that

JohnFLyons2's tweet image. Maconie has produced some wonderful, whimsical books on British culture, his latest tells the story of 100 people who played an influential part in the Beatles story. Aside from some silly errors, this is an engagingly written, feel good book, and there is nothing wrong with that

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John F. Lyons@JohnFLyons2 · Jul 18

I think I’ll be giving Macca in Chicago a miss this year. The last time I saw him in 2011 I paid $70 and I thought that was a lot!

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John F. Lyons@JohnFLyons2 · Jul 14

Vive la France. 🇫🇷 Happy Bastille Day.

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John F. Lyons@JohnFLyons2 · Jul 13

A Blast From The Cellar! – Lost Gems From The ’60s Chicago Garage Rock Explosion vinyl album coming soon. If you need more info on the Cellar, I can recommend a book for you: Joy and Fear: The Beatles, Chicago and the 1960s! cheapkissrecords.com/vinyl/cheap-ki…

JohnFLyons2's tweet card. The 1960s.Liverpool, London, San Francisco, Laurel Canyon…Arlington Heights, Illinois?It might not be as far fetched as it first seems. From 1965-1970 this suburb 25 miles northwest of Chicago became...

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John F. Lyons@JohnFLyons2 · Jul 12

Maybe the wrong time to repost this!

JJohn F. Lyons@JohnFLyons2 · May 12, 2024

At the height of Britpop, Sue Robinson from Shrewsbury had the audacity to write to Melody Maker and claim that The Beatles were better than Oasis (⁦@nothingelseon⁩ posted the paper).

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John F. Lyons@JohnFLyons2 · Jul 12

On July 12, 1979, a Chicago White Sox anti-disco event called "Disco Demolition Night" turned into a riot. As the documentary Disco’s Revenge makes clear, disco was going nowhere. The music is still influential in today’s music. Nothing much new here but entertaining nonetheless.

JohnFLyons2's tweet image. On July 12, 1979, a Chicago White Sox anti-disco event called "Disco Demolition Night" turned into a riot. As the documentary Disco’s Revenge makes clear, disco was going nowhere. The music is still influential in today’s music. Nothing much new here but entertaining nonetheless.

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John F. Lyons@JohnFLyons2 · Jul 11

New Book of Beatles Photos, Taken by George Harrison, to Publish in 2026. I really hope it includes photos from George’s visit to southern Illinois in September 1963. people.com/new-book-of-be…

JohnFLyons2's tweet card. A new photography book by George Harrison will be published in 2026. 'The Third Eye' is a collection of over 250 photographs taken by the late musician, which document his time in the Beatles.

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John F. Lyons Retweeted

The Beatles Bible 🍏@beatlesbible · Jul 10

10 July 1964: The Beatles' third album, A Hard Day's Night, is released in the UK. It has advance orders of over 250,000, and spends 21 consecutive weeks at number one in the UK from 25 July 1964. Read all about A Hard Day's Night here: beatlesbible.com/albums/a-hard-…

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John F. Lyons@JohnFLyons2 · Jul 9

The August issue of @MOJOmagazine includes an article on a pair of Beatles’ underpants. Yours for a bargain 2,000 pounds. Alas they were from the Beatles boutique that closed in 1968 and were not worn by any of the Fab 4!

JohnFLyons2's tweet image. The August issue of @MOJOmagazine includes an article on a pair of Beatles’ underpants. Yours for a bargain 2,000 pounds. Alas they were from the Beatles boutique that closed in 1968 and were not worn by any of the Fab 4!

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John F. Lyons@JohnFLyons2 · Jul 7

With a ruptured appendix at the age of 6, he spent months in hospital. As a teenager he contacted TB. In 1980, he nearly died in a car crash. Now Ringo Starr is a healthy 85 years old, still touring, recording and inspiring millions with his passion and zest for life.

JohnFLyons2's tweet image. With a ruptured appendix at the age of 6, he spent months in hospital. As a teenager he contacted TB. In 1980, he nearly died in a car crash. Now Ringo Starr is a healthy 85 years old, still touring, recording and inspiring millions with his passion and zest for life.

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John F. Lyons@JohnFLyons2 · Jul 6

Scarface or the Fab 4? I gave a talk on the Beatles at the American Mensa Annual Gathering in Chicago yesterday. I attracted a good crowd but, I have to admit, it was not the standing room only crowd that attended the Al Capone talk. Is Capone more popular than the Beatles?

JohnFLyons2's tweet image. Scarface or the Fab 4? I gave a talk on the Beatles at the American Mensa Annual Gathering in Chicago yesterday. I attracted a good crowd but, I have to admit, it was not the standing room only crowd that attended the Al Capone talk. Is Capone more popular than the Beatles?

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John F. Lyons Retweeted

Lucy (in the sky) ♟️@petunniazul · Jul 6

On July 6, 1957, 16-year-old John Lennon met 15-year-old Paul McCartney. And everything changed. The whole world changed. It was at St. Peter's, Woolton's Parish Church in Liverpool. Happy McLennon Day ❤️

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John F. Lyons@JohnFLyons2 · Jul 5

In May 1965, Paul McCartney wrote the lyrics to the song “Yesterday” as he and Jane Asher were driven from the Portuguese capital of Lisbon to the peaceful fishing village of Albufeira in the Algarve region. Now the town is a tourist hotspot. That was Yesterday, this is today.

JohnFLyons2's tweet image. In May 1965, Paul McCartney wrote the lyrics to the song “Yesterday” as he and Jane Asher were driven from the Portuguese capital of Lisbon to the peaceful fishing village of Albufeira in the Algarve region. Now the town is a tourist hotspot. That was Yesterday, this is today.

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John F. Lyons@JohnFLyons2 · Jul 3

I reviewed Chicagoland at 45 RPM for the July issue of @Choice_Reviews I called it an “engaging study” of the 1960s “one of the most exciting periods in Chicago music history.”

JohnFLyons2's tweet image. I reviewed Chicagoland at 45 RPM for the July issue of @Choice_Reviews I called it an “engaging study” of the 1960s “one of the most exciting periods in Chicago music history.”

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John F. Lyons@JohnFLyons2 · Jun 30

60 years ago today, on June 30, 1965, the Beatles played their only concert in Nice, France, at the Palais des Expositions. They spent 2 nights at the luxurious seafront Hotel Negresco and were photographed on the hotel balcony. The hotel still dominates the promenade des Anglais

JohnFLyons2's tweet image. 60 years ago today, on June 30, 1965, the Beatles played their only concert in Nice, France, at the Palais des Expositions. They spent 2 nights at the luxurious seafront Hotel Negresco and were photographed on the hotel balcony. The hotel still dominates the promenade des Anglais

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