John Lennon & Elton John LIVE - I Saw Her Standing There

Madison Square Garden 1974 November 28 (Thanksgiving). John Lennon came on stage as special guest at the Elton John concert and they did three songs together. We all know the story ......

When John Lennon was recording his "Walls and Bridges" album in 1974, he invited Elton to help him out on a couple of tracks - "Whatever Gets You Thru the Night" and "Surprise, Surprise (Sweet Bird of Paradox)". This was around the same time they also worked together on Elton's releases "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" and "One Day at a Time". Lennon said of Elton, "I was amazed at his ability. A fine musician, great piano player. I was really pleasantly surprised at the way he could get in on such a loose track and add to it and keep up with the rhythm changes". As Elton and Lennon were enjoying themselves greatly during the recording session, Elton asked Lennon if he would do "Whatever Gets You Thru" with him on stage. Lennon, who no longer performed live, jokingly promised to do so when the song became a #1 hit single. In November that year, it did hit #1, Lennon's only solo single to do so. Elton called him up and reminded him of the promise, and Lennon appeared on stage for three numbers at the final concert of Elton's 1974 American Tour, held at Madison Square Garden, New York City. Lennon was terrified, and nearly backed out several times. Finally, as Elton introduced him, he suddenly turned to Bernie Taupin back stage, 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 came on stage, the audience of 18,000 rose to their feet and applauded for several minutes before they were able to perform the three songs, the final one being the old Beatles' hit "I Saw Her Standing There", which was a song Paul McCartney (not John Lennon!) had sung. It was the first time Lennon sang the song! Elton has said many times that this whole event was one of the high points of his career.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• John
• Lennon
• Elton
• LIVE
• Madison
• Square
• Garden

[BALover4ever]

"And we thought we'd do a number of an old estranged finacé of mine called Paul..." awwww <3

[fifiesponja07]

I just LOVE it how John calls Paul his "estranged fiancé" is that's not cute then I don't know what is xP

Lennon/McCartney ♥

[lyonslaforet]

@MiamiS1lvio You're very lucky! As far as I'm concerned,I saw Paul McCartney two months ago in Paris and he paid a tribute to his former friend by playing Give Peace A Chance among others.

[corbinamondo]

I think Lennons Fiance jab at McCartney was both an act of bashing and of love, cos even tho they werent getting along they were still mates in those good ol' days

[santhros]

@MiamiS1lvio Silvio, How lucky!!! I would pay whatever to be then and there..

[MiamiS1lvio]

I was lucky enough to be at this show. Sat in the first row of the blue seats right above the stage. This song, not I Wanna Hold Your Hand, is what got me hooked on the Beatles in '63. To hear John sing this song LIVE is still the greatest concert experience I've ever had. Miss you John!

[yalreetdeeyas]

Is it bad that I prefer this than the original?

[DiMoNico1981Swe]

This is when Dreams comes be true =).

[findemaxa13]

Elton John and John Lennon---what's not to like?

[BBQFanNo1]

I had the 45 disc of this. It was the flip side B of Philadelphia Freedom.

[Hendrucks]

@findemaxa13 More like, John Lennon! - Alright!