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Lucy Vodden, Inspiration for 'Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds,' Dies at 46

Lucy Vodden, the woman who inspired the Beatles classic 'Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds,' died last Tuesday at the age of 46. Vodden, a childhood friend of Julian Lennon, passed away after losing a fight with the autoimmune disease lupus, according to an announcement made Monday by the St. Thomas' Lupus Trust Charity.

John Lennon took the song title from a picture Julian had drawn of Vodden at school. "That's Lucy in the sky with diamonds," Julian told his dad when he brought the artwork home. Due to the psychedelic feel of the song, from the Fab Four's iconic 1967 album 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band,' many fans felt the song's title was an allusion to LSD.

"I remember Julian and I both doing pictures on a double-sided easel, throwing paint at each other, much to the horror of the classroom attendant," Vodden -- who's maiden name was O'Donnell -- told BBC radio in 2007. "Julian had painted a picture and on that particular day his father turned up with the chauffeur to pick him up from school."

In June, it was reported that Lennon was supporting Vodden during her fight with the disease. According to the charity, Lennon and his mother, John's first wife Cynthia, were "shocked and saddened by the loss of Lucy and their thoughts are with her husband and family today and always."

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Sad Mom

Godspeed Lucy, may you rest in peasce. May you finally be free from the pain of Lupus! My beautiful teenage daughter was diagnosed earlier this year, horrible disease. God Bless those who have it and their families.

September 29 2009 at 7:02 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Marie

Bravo Shelly! Excellent post! =)

September 29 2009 at 3:17 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Chris

I'm very sorry for Lucy's passing.
I buried my father on Saturday.

The song "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" will always stick with me because of the old fast-food Jack-in-the-Box add:

"Look, look ... is that Lucy in the sky with diamonds?"
"No, stupid ... that's Jack-in-the-Box with tacos."

September 29 2009 at 3:09 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Nanci

Albert Ellis you Sir are an ASS!

September 29 2009 at 2:49 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mad Maggie

Wow, Hugh, that gave me goose-bumps! Yes, RIP, Lucy and John (and George, of course).

September 29 2009 at 1:46 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mark

Nice tribute here :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJAUGjg1fTM

September 29 2009 at 9:16 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
john

RIP Lucy.

September 29 2009 at 7:30 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Tim

Didn't buy it then, not buying it now.
This woman claimed this AFTER Lennon's death, so it can't be challenged.
Do the math = She was 3½ when the song was written - and now said how clearly she remembers all of this.
Tell me one thing a grown person 'clearly remembers' anything commonplace at 3½.
This, at a time (1967) when the Beatles were obviously using and promoting drug use. Finally, check the lyrics. Not LSD? - I'm not convinced.

September 29 2009 at 7:30 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to Tim's comment
Cre

John and Julian claimed this first if you bothered to read the article. Cynthia even still has Julian's original drawing as proof. What is so difficult to understand? I think people just need something to complain about.

This little girl inspired a picture that, in turn, inspired a classic song. My condolences go to her family and friends.

October 01 2009 at 8:42 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Tim

"Despite John Lennon's denial of the title and content of the song having to do with LSD, on June 2, 2004, McCartney told BBC that the song is, in fact, about LSD." Source: BBC =
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3769511.stm


October 02 2009 at 6:39 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
redconvoy

I'm sorry to hear her passing, but I have one question if any Beatles fans could answer it for me. If she was born in 1961 or 1962, wouldn't she be a child and not an adult the time the Beatles were popular?

September 29 2009 at 5:49 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jen

Vodden -- who's maiden name was O'Donnell -- told BBC radio in 2007.

"who's" should actually be spelled "whose". "who's" is a contraction of "who is", while "whose" shows possession.

September 29 2009 at 5:45 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply