Live at the Garden [Revisited]: Elton John with Special Guest John Lennon November 28, 1974
On November 28, 1974 (Thanksgiving Day), Elton John appeared LIVE at Madison Square Garden. Earlier that year Elton John recorded “Whatever Gets You Through The Night” with John Lennon - he sang and played piano on the recording. While in the studio, Elton bet John that the song would top the charts, and such was Lennon's skepticism that Elton secured from him a promise to appear on stage at one of his performances should the record indeed hit number one. When the record did achieve that feat (This was Lennon's only solo number 1 single in the United States during his lifetime), Lennon was a surprise guest at John’s Thanksgiving performance at Madison Square Garden. It was his last major concert appearance. Lee Lessack and Johnny Rodgers, along with special guest Jonathan Hawkins - recreate that iconic set list
A baritone vocalist, Lee Lessack is a star on the international concert scene, known for his sophisticated vocal quality and commanding stage presence. An alumnus of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Lessack has recorded 8 albums and toured across the United States and Europe over his successful career. His music was called "cabaret romanticism of a high order" by Billboard magazine, and his latest album is a celebrated recreation of the 1981 Simon and Garfunkel Live in Central Park concert.
Joining Lee Lessack is his friend and collaborator Johnny Rodgers. A singer-songwriter, music ambassador, pianist, and Broadway star, Rodgers is a unique performer whose music is hailed by The New York Times as containing "fused elements of Billy Joel, Peter Allen, and Johnny Mercer." Throughout his career, Johnny Rodgers has performed with Clint Jones, Michael Feinstein, and Billy Joel. Rodgers serves as a Musical Director and piano man for the beloved Liza Minelli and has received Bistro and MAC Awards for his performances at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, among others. In addition to his performances in Chicago and New York, Rodgers also serves as a State Department Music Ambassador, bringing his combination of classic songs and original compositions to audiences in the Middle East and beyond.
The third member of the trio, Jonathan Hawkins is a soloist and Broadway performer who is deeply involved in both the New York and Los Angeles theater scenes. Hawkins has served as a featured soloist in Dvorak's Stabat Mater, Handel's Messiah, and Mendelssohn’s Elijah. His theater credits include Jimmy in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Tony in West Side Story, and Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. A multi-talented performer, Jonathan Hawkins can be heard on film soundtracks such as Spider Man 2, Lost, and High School Musical 2.
A baritone vocalist, Lee Lessack is a star on the international concert scene, known for his sophisticated vocal quality and commanding stage presence. An alumnus of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Lessack has recorded 8 albums and toured across the United States and Europe over his successful career. His music was called "cabaret romanticism of a high order" by Billboard magazine, and his latest album is a celebrated recreation of the 1981 Simon and Garfunkel Live in Central Park concert.
Joining Lee Lessack is his friend and collaborator Johnny Rodgers. A singer-songwriter, music ambassador, pianist, and Broadway star, Rodgers is a unique performer whose music is hailed by The New York Times as containing "fused elements of Billy Joel, Peter Allen, and Johnny Mercer." Throughout his career, Johnny Rodgers has performed with Clint Jones, Michael Feinstein, and Billy Joel. Rodgers serves as a Musical Director and piano man for the beloved Liza Minelli and has received Bistro and MAC Awards for his performances at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, among others. In addition to his performances in Chicago and New York, Rodgers also serves as a State Department Music Ambassador, bringing his combination of classic songs and original compositions to audiences in the Middle East and beyond.
The third member of the trio, Jonathan Hawkins is a soloist and Broadway performer who is deeply involved in both the New York and Los Angeles theater scenes. Hawkins has served as a featured soloist in Dvorak's Stabat Mater, Handel's Messiah, and Mendelssohn’s Elijah. His theater credits include Jimmy in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Tony in West Side Story, and Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. A multi-talented performer, Jonathan Hawkins can be heard on film soundtracks such as Spider Man 2, Lost, and High School Musical 2.