Seeing that it is getting close to Thanksgiving in the US, I thought it would be a great time to post this.

I thought you would like to read an article by the late Joe Pope who started the first Beatles convention back in the early 70's. Joe was a wonderful person who not only produced an excellent fanzine "Strawberry Fields" but he was instrumental in arranging for fans to purchase signed copies of George Harrison's I Me Mine book from Genesis Publications.
Joe also issued the 15 tracks of the Beatles Decca audition for fans on collector 45's.

In Issue #13 of Strawberry Fields, he told his story of being able to acquire tickets in the front row at MSG to see John Lennon perform with Elton John on Thanksgiving, 1974.

Here is the article that Joe wrote for your enjoyment.

GETTING THROUGH THE NIGHT AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

The rumors had started almost two weeks before Thanksgiving: John Lennon was all set to appear with Elton John at Madison Square Garden!

As the date grew closer, several things happened to firm up the rumors...John flew up to Boston with Elton John '...just to watch the show...': then a one line mention in Billboard of the possibility of John's appearing: and finally a phone call from a close friend at Capitol records. That was enough for us; we packed our bags and headed for the train station.

We arrived at Madison Square Garden at 1:00 PM the day of the concert. Though the show wasn't scheduled to begin for some seven hours, the first few scalpers and the first Eltonmaniacs had already begun to arrive. In a short time it became apparent that getting a ticket would be no problem; getting a good seat however, was something else again! We passed up over 100 offers of tickets ranging from 40 rows back on the floor to the highest balcony for prices of anywhere from face value to $100.00.

Finally at 6 o'clock our patience was rewarded. A twentyish looking guy in a security guard uniform came by: "Two front row tickets for sale", he yelled. We jumped up and grabbed him before the rest of the ticket seekers could find out what he had. "How much you want for 'em?" we asked. "$30.00 each", he said. "I'm not tryin to rip anybody off man, it's just that I waited out all night for "em." "So how come you're not going yourself?" "I am", he said. "I got another one for myself, cheaper, up in the balcony." We gave him the money.

We were sitting in the front row about four feet from the stage when Elton came on and it was fabulous. But what made it more fabulous was the extra mike stand that wasn't being used... it was directly in front of us! and that, we figured, must be for John Lennon...................

Elton introduced him about 3/4 through the show to a TREMENDOUS ovation. And suddenly there he was, just a few feet in front of us, and looking incredibly young and healthy, long light brown hair flowing like from the "Abbey Road" days. John Lennon dressed completely in black, except for his brown cowboy boots (on the heel of which he wears his backstage pass!). Then suddenly John, backed by Elton's band, piledrives into "Whatever Gets You Through the Night."

Between songs John nervously, almost compulsively, munches on a piece of gum. He was happy to be on stage but still a bit unsure of himself in this first concert appearance in three years.

Together, now, they slow the pace down for "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" with Elton singing lead and John joining him in the chorus. And John introduces the next song: It's an old one," he says, "and we're not even sure we know it." And suddenly we can't believe our eyes and ears as John Lennon stands four feet away from us singing, : "I Saw Her Standing There!" The crowd is in hysterics and I turn and say to an Eltonmaniac sitting next to me, "Welcome to 1964!" we left Madison Square Garden feeling satisfied, very satisfied indeed!: the Bitch was back and he brought Dr. Winston O'Boogie with him!

The last photo presented captures a picture of Joe Pope, though blurry, he is in the front row behind the photographer.