A Day In The Life- John Lennon
The date was November 28, 1974. The place is Madison Square Garden, in New York City. On stage is Elton John.
His career is at its peak. Numerous hit singles and best selling albums. Spectacular stage show. Fantastic band. Elton, at this time is the biggest star in the popular music world.
It can't get any better than this, can it? Thanksgiving night in NYC with Elton and his boys? Then Elton addresses the audience:
"Seeing it's Thanksgiving, we thought we'd make tonight a sort of joyous occasion by inviting someone up with us on the stage. And umm...I'm sure he'll be no stranger to anyone in the audience. It's our great privilege and your great privilege to see and hear MR. JOHN LENNON!!"
The 50th anniversary of The Beatles appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show is one week from today. Yesterday I wrote about a Day In The Life of George Harrison. Today is John Lennon's turn and how his special night with Elton John came about.
After the breakup of The Beatles, Lennon's solo career was uneven. His first solo album "John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band" received great reviews. It featured the songs "Mother" and "Working Class Hero."
His next album "Imagine" had mixed reviews. It did produce the title track, which became an anti-war anthem and a classic.
In 1973, Lennon and Yoko Ono separated. He was drinking heavily and making headline by causing scenes with fellow musician, Harry Nilsson.
In the meantime, the other former Beatles were all making Number 1 records. Harrison's "My Sweet Lord", McCartney's "Uncle Albert", and even Ringo had two hit singles with "Photograph" and "You're 16."
You can debate the quality of the songs but the fact is they all were best sellers.
In July 1974, Lennon was back in an NYC studio to record his new album "Walls and Bridges". Among the musicians were "Concert For Bangladesh" veterans, Jesse Ed Davis, Jim Keltner and Klaus Voormann. Pianist Nicky Hopkins and Sax man Bobby Keys also played.
Recruited to play on a song was Elton John. The song was "Whatever Gets You Through The Night".
During the sessions, Elton pulled Lennon aside to tell him this song was going to the top of the charts. Lennon laughed it off. Elton persisted. They made a bet. If it became a number one song, Lennon would join Elton's band onstage and sing the song. Lennon thought it would never happen in a million years. We don't know the other side of the bet.
The single was released in September 1974. It hit the number one spot on the Billboard 100 charts the week of November 16th. The bet would be paid off in twelve days.
After Lennon was introduced, they played three songs. "Whatever Gets You Through The Night", "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" and "I Saw Her Standing There", which Lennon introduced as being written by an old fiance of his, Paul.
After the show, Lennon and Yoko Ono met backstage and reunited after eighteen months apart.
Two years later, Elton became godfather to their son, Sean.
John Lennon was murdered on December 8, 1980. He was 40 years old.
The Thanksgiving concert in 1974 was John Lennon's last live concert performance.