Redefining Iconic: Unpacking the Unforgettable Performance of Two Rock and Roll Superstars
Every December 8, I remember hearing the words of Howard Cosell on Monday Night Football telling the world that John Lennon had been murdered. It was 1980 and I was on a college campus where the word spread quickly with an outpouring of disbelief and sorrow. After exactly 44 years, the anniversary of his death still elicits several fond comments and memories from people of all ages.
Lennon’s career was marked by not only his music, but also through friendships and relationships he had made throughout his life. One of Lennon’s best “mates” was a red-hot piano player from Pinner, Middlesex, who was fast becoming one of the most popular rock stars of the seventies. It was none other than Elton John.
The two shared a unique and enduring friendship, marked by mutual respect and a deep connection rooted in their shared passion for music. Their relationship blossomed in the mid-1970s, a period characterized by creative experimentation and personal reinvention for both artists. Elton, then at the peak of his career, admired Lennon's groundbreaking work with The Beatles and his solo artistry. Conversely, Lennon appreciated Elton’s bold energy and innovative contributions to the evolving landscape of rock and pop. Their bond was solidified during collaborative musical ventures, most notably in their 1974 hit "Whatever Gets You Thru the Night," a song from Lennon's Walls and Bridges album, on which Elton provided backing vocals and piano. This collaboration showcased their ability to merge distinct styles, blending Lennon's introspective lyricism with Elton's flamboyant melodic sensibilities.
Their musical camaraderie also extended beyond the studio. A defining moment of their friendship occurred during Lennon's surprise appearance at Elton’s Madison Square Garden (MSG) concert in November 1974. Honoring a playful wager they had made - Lennon had promised to join Elton on stage if "Whatever Gets You Thru the Night" became a chart-topping hit - the next time Elton played in New York City, he reminded Lennon of their bet.
As the story goes, on the night that Elton performed at MSG, Lennon was terrified, and nearly backed out several times. Finally, as Elton introduced him, Lennon suddenly turned to Bernie Taupin backstage, and said, "I'm not going on unless you go with me.” Bernie walked him out to the stage, gave him a light push, and said, "You're on your own". When he stepped into the lights, the audience of 18,000 shocked fans erupted, rose to their feet and applauded for several minutes before they were able to perform.
Together, they performed Lennon’s hit single, along with renditions of The Beatles' "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" and "I Saw Her Standing There," enthralling the audience and cementing their collaborative legacy.
The performance marked Lennon's last major public concert appearance.
Beyond music, the friendship between the two provided Lennon with a sense of support and camaraderie during a turbulent period in his life, often referred to as his "Lost Weekend." Their connection endures as a testament to the synergistic power of artistic collaboration and mutual admiration.
Elton talks more about his friendship with John Lennon in his new documentary
Elton John: Never Too Late streaming on Disney+.
Here’s an iconic song from the performance with Elton and John on Nov. 28, 1974. Enjoy!
Have a great weekend! Rob
Thanks, Rob, Happy Holidays to you. Sweet memories!
Anita Mallinger