When the sounds of this oddly named British rock 'n roll band began filtering across the Atlantic in the early '60s, those of us who had embraced the transforming music of our American '50s rock 'n roll bands considered The Beatles little more than pretenders to the thrones already occupied by our musical heroes.

I mean these weirdly coiffed Brits making an impact knocking off Chuck Berry's "Roll Over Beethoven" or Carl Perkins's "Honey Don't." Not bloody likely.   

And those originals: "I Want to Hold Your Hand," "Please Please Me" . . . Pa-leese. Although listening to the songs virtually nonstop on pop radio did begin to endear you to those catchy melodies and pleasing lyrics.  And the lads could play their instruments.   

While the teenie-boppers went wild during The Beatle's American tours in 1964 and 1965, the subtext was a growing admiration for the band's creativity and musicianship. By the third album, "A Hard Day's Night," in 1964, with all original material by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, it was apparent that there was something special going on here.

It all culminated in the innovative later albums, "Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," "Magical Mystery Tour," and their remaining vinyls through the end of the '60s. By the time The Beatles disbanded in 1970, their iconic status was well established and their mythology only grew during the ensuing decades.   

With Lennon having been murdered in 1980 and George Harrison succumbing to health issues in 2001, live performances are now the occasional purview of McCartney and Ringo Starr, or the many cover bands and shows that have adopted the music of The Beatles. 

Friday night at Glen Cove's Village Square, the stage belonged to The Liverpool Shuffle. Despite the heat of the evening, they came on stage to perform at the city's Downtown Sounds concert series in beige Nehru jackets, in character: Joe Refano (George), Mike Ponella (John), Mike Green (Paul) and Peter Bross (Ringo).   

"We couldn't have picked a hotter night," said Ponella with his spot-on interpretation of Lennon. "Paul is melting away."  

While the most popular giveaway at the sponsors' tables were the fans from American Community Bank (ACB), the heat and humidity didn't stop people from singing along, even dancing a bit. It seemed as if everyone were mouthing the lyrics of songs that have become part of world's songbook. There were the older heads of course, but also the 20-somethings, teenagers, even toddlers swaying to the music, a testament to the staying power of the songs.   

"This is such a great program," said Janet Knipfing, vice president at ACB, "the entire series. For me, however, tonight is special. I'm a Beatlemaniac. I know every song, every word. I'm in heaven." 

"Who's not a Beatle fan?" added her colleague, Barbara Pisapia, a relationship banker at ACB.   

As if to prove the point, Moscow native Lena Doronina, who at first said she spoke no English, nonetheless still managed to tell Patch, "yes, love Beatles."  

The crowd continued to grow as evening turned to night, and the Shuffle returned from their break in the psychedelic garb of The Beatles' later period, then broke into the compositions that went with their outfits.   

The stories of people's personal relationships to The Beatles' music seemed to ripple throughout the crowd.   

"I had a pen pal in England, who sent me a 45 of the band before we started hearing their songs in the U.S." explained Amy Tabor, who, along with her husband, Bob, are proprietors of the Mail Boxes, Etc. franchise on Brewster Street. "I listened to it so much that by the time The Beatles played on American TV, I could pick out the members of the band by their voices."  

And how about the Shuffle's take on the Beatles? "Their harmonies are excellent," Tabor said.  

Given the extensive legacy, it is almost impossible not to have been touched by the band in some way or another. But there was also the impression that they were always enjoying themselves on stage and it infected an audience. As for the energy in the city Friday night . . .  

"We always have fun," said Joe Refano. Ditto the large crowd on the square.   

The city's free concerts will be held every Friday between Glen and Bridge streets at 7:30 p.m. until Aug. 27. 

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