John Lennon Reveals Rare Photo With Elton John In New Post
Words by Riley Fitzgerald
Graphic by Press
Despite John Lennon and Elton John‘s close working relationship in 1974, there are surprisingly few photos of the pair from this period.
Most criminally undercovered of all is John Lennon’s appearance on stage with Elton at New York’s Madison Square Garden on November 28, 1974.
While those present at the time could not have known, this would be Lennon’s last public live performance.
It came about as a result of a bet between Elton and Lennon which stipulated that if a song they had written together, ‘Whatever Gets You thru the Night‘, became a hit single, the former Beatle would put an end his years-long live hiatus and join the pop pianist onstage.
Lo and behold the song hit the US album charts, climbing all the way to #1 to become Lennon’s first chart-topping single since exiting the Fab Four.
Lennon was so nervous he vomited before walking before the audience, but his decision to muster the courage to do ended up changing his life.
Basking in the post-concert afterglow backstage, Lennon reconnected with longterm partner Yoko Ono after an 18-month separation.
The pair reuniting is perhaps informed their decision to make Elton godfather to their son Sean the following year.
(Elton reflects more on his relationship with Lennon, alongside a drug-fuelled encounter with John’s Beatle bandmate George Harrison, in new biography Me.)
Commemorating the fateful night John Lennon’s estate has shared a previously unseen photo of Elton and John embracing.
“Seeing as it’s Thanksgiving, we thought we’d make tonight a bit of a joyous occasion by inviting someone up with us onto stage,” the post reads quoting Elton on the night of the performance. “And ah, I’m sure he will be no stranger to anyone in the audience when I say it’s our great privilege and your great privilege to see and hear Mr. John Lennon!”⠀
