Saturday 10 August 1974 | John Lennon, Travel
On 10 August 1974, John Lennon and May Pang travelled from Los Angeles to Nederland, Colorado. They flew to Denver, then drove through Boulder Canyon to the Caribou Ranch in Nederland, where Elton John was staying to record his ninth studio album, Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy.
Lennon and Pang stayed at the ranch for two nights, flying to New York City on 12 August 1974. While at Caribou Ranch, Lennon recorded a version of ‘Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds’ with Elton John.
Caribou Ranch and the recording
Caribou Ranch was a residential recording studio set in the Rocky Mountains near Nederland, Colorado, at an altitude of around 8,500 feet. It was one of the most sought-after recording facilities in the world during the 1970s, used by artists including Chicago, Rod Stewart, and Frank Sinatra, as well as Elton John, who recorded several albums there.
Elton John was at Caribou Ranch recording Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy, which would be released in May 1975 and become the first album in history to enter the US Billboard chart at number one. The album was a semi-autobiographical account of Elton John and lyricist Bernie Taupin’s early years in the music business.
The recording of ‘Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds’ that Lennon made with Elton John during this visit was released as a single in November 1974, credited to Elton John with Dr. Winston O’Boogie — one of Lennon’s pseudonyms. It reached number one in the US and number 10 in the UK. Lennon played guitar on the track; Elton John played piano and sang lead vocals.
The visit also produced a second collaboration: Lennon played guitar on Elton John’s recording of ‘One Day At A Time’, a song Lennon had written and recorded for his own Mind Games album (1973).
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John Lennon Unisex Pullover Hoodie: Listen To This (Black).
John Lennon’s Lost Weekend
The visit to Caribou Ranch took place during Lennon’s ‘Lost Weekend’ — an 18-month separation from Yoko Ono that began in late 1973. During this period Lennon lived primarily in Los Angeles with May Pang, Yoko’s former personal assistant. Despite the personal turbulence, the period was musically productive: Lennon recorded the Walls And Bridges album (released September 1974) and the Rock ‘n’ Roll covers album (released February 1975) during this time.
The collaboration with Elton John would have a further significant consequence: Elton John later appeared on Lennon’s ‘Whatever Gets You Thru The Night’, and the two made a bet that if the song reached number one — which Lennon doubted — Lennon would perform with Elton John on stage. It did reach number one, and on 28 November 1974 Lennon made his final ever concert appearance at Madison Square Garden, joining Elton John’s Thanksgiving concert.
John Lennon — officially licensed merch
John Lennon Unisex Pullover Hoodie: Self Portrait (Navy Blue).
Key Facts
| Date | Saturday 10 August 1974 |
| Route | Los Angeles → Denver → Caribou Ranch, Nederland, Colorado |
| Travelling with | May Pang |
| Purpose | Visit to Elton John at Caribou Ranch; recorded ‘Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds’ |
| Departed | 12 August 1974 (flew to New York City) |
Caribou Ranch, Nederland, Colorado — where John Lennon and Elton John recorded ‘Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds’ in August 1974.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did John Lennon record 'Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds' with Elton John?
John Lennon recorded 'Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds' with Elton John at Caribou Ranch in Nederland, Colorado, during a visit on 10–12 August 1974. The single was released in November 1974 and reached number one in the US.
What pseudonym did John Lennon use on the Elton John single?
Lennon was credited as Dr. Winston O'Boogie, one of his pseudonyms, on Elton John's recording of 'Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds'.
What was Elton John recording at Caribou Ranch in August 1974?
Elton John was recording Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy, his ninth studio album, released in May 1975. It became the first album in history to enter the US Billboard chart at number one.
What was John Lennon's Lost Weekend?
The Lost Weekend was an 18-month separation from Yoko Ono beginning in late 1973, during which Lennon lived in Los Angeles with May Pang. Despite the personal upheaval, Lennon recorded Walls And Bridges and Rock 'n' Roll during this period.
What was John Lennon's last ever concert appearance?
John Lennon's final concert appearance was at Madison Square Garden on 28 November 1974, when he joined Elton John on stage at his Thanksgiving concert after 'Whatever Gets You Thru The Night' reached number one.
→ Recording: Mind Games by John Lennon – 10 August 1973
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