As U2 wound down its seventh show of the year at New York's Madison Square Garden last night (Nov. 21), the band was joined by punk icon Patti Smith for a rendition of the John Lennon classic "Instant Karma." Smith was tapped to open these final nights in New York, and Bono wasted no time praising her and guitarist Tom Verlaine as "idols" at the opening of U2's set.

Bono and Smith traded off verses and harmonized during the chorus. In staying true to Smith's roots, the band slowed things down near the end and let her take over with a slam-style poetry bit.

As previously reported, U2's Vertigo tour will close out the year Dec. 19 in Portland, Ore., and will resume in February for shows in South America, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. This portion of the trek will run through April and play all stadiums.

-- Michael D. Ayers, N.Y.

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