By 1974, three of the former Beatles had reached No. 1 on the charts in the U.S. as solo artists. George Harrison led the pack with “My Sweet Lord” in January of ’71. Months later, Paul McCartney followed with “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey” from the collaborative album with his wife Linda, Ram. Ringo Starr also earned a No. 1 for “Photograph” in 1973. The following year would be John Lennon’s turn at the top.
In ’74, Lennon released his fifth album Walls and Bridges, featuring Elton John on background vocals and organ on “Surprise, Surprise (Sweet Bird of Paradox)” and piano and harmony on “Whatever Gets You Thru the Night.” The song was inspired by Lennon’s late-night TV channel surfing while living with his mistress May Pang following his 18-month separation (the “Lost Weekend”) from Yoko Ono in 1973.
It was also the track John suggested Lennon release as his first single because he believed it would go to No. 1. John even bet Lennon that if it did top the charts, he’d have to perform it live with him on stage.
Upon its release on September 23, 1974, “Whatever Gets You Thru the Night,” topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart. To make good on his bet, Lennon joined John on stage at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Thanksgiving night, November 28, 1974, for three songs.
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“Seeing as it’s Thanksgiving, we’d thought we’d make tonight a little bit of a joyous occasion by inviting someone up with us,” said John to the crowd before introducing Lennon.
Lennon appeared running out smiling in a black suit adorned with a white lapel pin, a red-lined cape, and an electric guitar in his hand and embraced John before they moved into their short set. “He came on stage at Madison Square Garden after being physically sick in the toilets beforehand and came onto the greatest ovation I’ve ever heard for anybody in my whole life,” recalled John in 2020. “It makes me very emotional when I think about it. Even now I get goosebumps every time I talk about this, but for 10 minutes the New Yorkers stood up. It was like everybody had been hit by lightning.”
Both began with the hit they’d collaborated on with Lennon teasing the Beatles’ “I Feel Fine,” followed by their duet of the band’s “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds” and “I Saw Her Standing There.”
The concert marked Lennon’s final major live appearance on stage.
Before performing with John, Lennon gave his final full-length concert at Madison Square Garden with Ono on August 30, 1972. Lennon and Ono performed two concerts at MSG on August 30, 1972, one in the afternoon and a second in the evening, dubbed the One On One shows.
The concerts also featured performances by Roberta Flack, Stevie Wonder, Sha Na Na, and Melanie Safka, and benefitted the the Willowbrook State School for children with disabilities in Staten Island, New York.
In 1975, Lennon also made his final televised appearance for an all-star tribute to the British media proprietor Sir. Lew Grade on April 18, 1975, performing “Slippin’ and Slidin’” and “Imagine.”
Photo: Steve Morley/Redferns
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