John Lennon joined Elton John on stage at Madison Square Garden to pay up on a bet.
The story starts with John Lennon in the recording studio making his album, "Walls and Bridges." Elton John was singing with John on the song, "Whatever Gets You Through the Night." Elton loved the song and told Lennon it would be a number one hit. John, in his ever cynical style said it would not.
So the bet was made. Elton John made a bet with John Lennon. The terms of the bet were as follows: If the song made it to number one on the Billboard charts, John Lennon would have to join Elton John on stage at Madison Square Garden in New York City and perform it with him.
On November 16, 1974, the song made it to number one on the Billboard charts.
November 28, 1974 was Thanksgiving Day. That night, Elton John was at Madison Square Garden. Elton John said to the crowd, "...it is our great priviledge and your great priviledge to see, and to hear, Mr. John Lennon!"
John came out on stage and Elton and John did "Whatever Gets You Through the Night," "I Saw Her Standing There," and "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds."
That was John Lennon's last public performance, ever.
You can hear that special and poignant moment below.