Who made a surprise appearance at Elton John's concert at Madison Square Garden in 1974?

John Lennon made a surprise appearance at Elton John's concert at New York's Madison Square Garden on Thursday 28 November 1974. Elton John was perhaps the world's biggest pop star at the time, but a rare live appearance by Lennon was enough to steal the show. The former Beatle was visibly nervous about being onstage once again, with the deafening roar recalling the heights of Beatlemania a decade earlier.

During the recording of Lennon's "Walls And Bridges" earlier in 1974, Elton John had contributed vocals and keyboards to two songs: "Whatever Gets You Thru The Night" and "Surprise Surprise" (Sweet Bird Of Paradox).

Lennon's onstage appearance was unannounced prior to the event, and the crowd reaction was ecstatic. Lennon looked resplendent and sober with long hair and a black suit, and played a black Fender Telecaster guitar. He performed three songs with Elton John's band, opening with "Whatever Gets You Thru The Night" and following with versions of The Beatles' "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" and "I Saw Her Standing There".