Fender Telecaster Custom (1963, black) used at the Madison Square Garden concert with Elton John in 1974 – Exposition John Lennon unfinished music – Musée de la musique (2006-04-30 16.15.11 Benoit Darcy)
Were you fortunate enough to be at New York’s Madison Square Garden 50 years ago?
It was Thanksgiving night, and after a set which ranged from Candle in the Wind to Grimsby, Elton told the audience they’d make it a more joyous occasion by inviting John Lennon to join them.
R.J. Cutler, who co-directed Elton’s new documentary, was in attendance. He said was just 13 at the time, and believes this concert plays a central role in Never Too Late. Indeed, the Roger Ebert website notes that the movie’s only full number is Elton and John’s performance of their hit Whatever Gets You Thru The Night.
Davey Johnstone told Yahoo Entertainment in 2022 about being backstage, tuning the instruments, when John came in, ”looking terrified.” He hadn’t played live for some time, so felt like he was going to throw up.
Bernie Taupin also recalled how nervous Lennon was. He told the Breakfast Show’s Chris Evans last year that the former Beatle–who wore a black suit, in contrast to Elton in his white jumpsuit–”looked like a rock god, like a million bucks.” Although asked to come out on the stage with him, Bernie refused, not wanting to just stand there.
It all turned out well. Elton has since said he’s never heard a louder crowd. And his friend was able to enjoy himself. Prior to performing I Saw Her Standing There [they also sang Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds], John even joked about coming up with ”a final number so I could get out of here.”
David Furnish, Never Too Late‘s other director, described to the Hollywood Reporter what he loves most about ”the Lennon-Elton juxtaposition.”
He pointed out that after a relationship with May Pang, Lennon got back together with Yoko Ono that night, and they went on to have a son named Sean. David thinks those last few years were John’s happiest . . . much like how Elton now feels, being off the road and home with his family.
Interview with Dennis Elsas at WNEW-FM on November 29, 1974, the day after the Thanksgiving Madison Square Garden concert.
© Dennis Elsas
