Which musician featured on Lennon's 'Whatever Gets You thru the Night'?

Elton John featured on John Lennon’s “Whatever Gets You thru the Night.”

Elton John contributed harmony vocals and piano to the recording, released in 1974 as the lead single from Lennon’s album Walls and Bridges. The collaboration connected two major singer-songwriters at an important point in Lennon’s solo career, when he was working with a group of New York session musicians.

While recording, Elton John bet Lennon that the song would reach number one. Lennon was reportedly skeptical and agreed to appear at one of Elton’s concerts if the prediction came true. The single did top the US charts, so Lennon joined Elton John onstage at Madison Square Garden on 28 November 1974. It became Lennon’s final major concert appearance.

The song is sometimes remembered primarily as a Lennon solo recording, but Elton’s musical role was substantial rather than merely promotional. The original track includes his piano, organ and harmony vocal contributions. Harry Nilsson, Mick Jagger and David Bowie were all associated with Lennon’s wider musical circle, but none is the featured collaborator on this recording.