Rock Report: Elton John Including Live John Lennon Footage In Vegas Show

The recently discovered footage of John Lennon joining Elton John onstage in 1974 at Madison Square Garden, will become part of Elton's Million Dollar Piano show in Las Vegas. Elton posted on his website (EltonJohn.com) that the carefully restored fan shot footage will play during his and lyricist Bernie Taupin's 1982 tribute to the late Beatle, "Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)." In addition to the Super 8 film of the pair onstage, the tribute at Caesar's Palace will include never before seen photos of Lennon and Elton.

Lennon's appearance with Elton on November 28th, 1974 was due to a bet made with Elton earlier that summer when Elton supplied the piano and harmony vocal on Lennon's "Whatever Gets You Through The Night." Elton made Lennon promise that if the song hit Number One he would join Elton onstage to perform it. Lennon, who had yet to have a U.S. solo chart-topper, never believed the song would hit the top spot, and agreed. When the song hit Number One, plans were made for Lennon to make a guest appearance at Elton's New York City show.

Lennon joined Elton for performances of "Whatever Gets You Thru The Night," Elton's then-current single, "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds," "I Saw Her Standing There," and went on to shake a tambourine during the evening's encore of "The Bitch Is Back."
Elton John next performs tomorrow night (Thursday, October 18th) at Las Vegas' The Colosseum At Caesars Palace.

Lennon enters at 3:40 in the video below