Lucy Vodden, Inspiration for 'Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds,' Dies at 46
- Posted on Sep 28th 2009 10:54AM by John D. Luerssen
- Comments (171)
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."





Reader Comments(1 of 9)
Albert Ellisat 9-28-2009
God Rest Ye Lucy you are truely in the Sky With Diamonds now...
Albert Ellisat 9-28-2009
Antoklk picture yourself in a furnace with a pitchfork and a shovel somebody calls you and you fall thru the floor and they tell you shovel some more you anserw quite slowly and your ASSSS is burning....
renuelcrowat 9-28-2009
You could not have said that more beautifully.
Cyat 9-28-2009
Well said Albert Ellis. I hope she is shining with the angels.
Bobby Malagutiat 9-28-2009
...wow..I knew the song was connected to a person but forgot. My favorite album. I know the song verbatim. A pretty pretty girl..
My prayers go out to her family...I think I'll go listen to ..." Lucy in the sky with diamonds"
Hughat 9-28-2009
Picture yourself in a boat on a river, with tangerine trees and marmalade sky. Somebody calls you, you answer quite slowly, a girl with kaleidoscope eyes. Cellophane flowers of yellow and green, towering over your head. Look for the girl with the sun in her eyes, and she's gone... RIP John and Lucy.
cheryl romoat 9-29-2009
This is sad to hear.I remember that julian had inspired that song..im a huge Beatle fan....And my heart goes out to her family and friends-Im so sorry shes passed so young...God bless you all
Dan Sabiaat 9-29-2009
I agree with you , on those two D.A's but I always report the D.A's that put those spam comments/adds in here .
God rest Lucy, John, George , and not to forget Mary Travers also
NCFireballat 9-29-2009
I lost my mom to SLE 20 years ago. It's a horrible disease.
R.I.P Lucy
R.I.P Mary Travers
Kaylaat 9-28-2009
WOW! My mother has SL lupus. She is on the verge of death...
denver729at 9-28-2009
Hi there,
Just wanted to say you are in my thoughts and prayers about your mother on the verge of death. I hope and pray she pulls through. But if it's her time to go, I hope she has a peaceful passing. Remember the good times and great memories. No one can take them away from you.
denver729
Robert Jandaat 9-28-2009
Lupus may well be an infectious disease. It is currently treated as an autoimmune problem, but this may be secondary to the infection. The man you want to learn about is Thomas McPearson Brown MD. He wrote a book called "The Way Back". It may save your mother's life.
Louise Shaversat 9-28-2009
So sorry. my mom died at age 53 from SLE. my heart goes out to you
Davidat 9-30-2009
Kayla,
U have received many offers to your struggle in its many faceted ways. I can only tell U that we will pray 4 your mom and all the family members that are in you "corner". I know of a food supplement that has had had amazing results for many who have and have had Lupus. I am not in the selling busn so be assured this is for your info and education. Peace, Dave
Glendaat 9-30-2009
My mom had SL and was also told that it was terminal. I do not wish to give you false hope but being a fan of Edgar Cayce, I got his remedy for Lupus from the ARE and my mother made a full recovery within 3 months. Cayce mainly recommended massage therapy along with pepsin and bismuth. The only way we could afford these ingredients was in Pepto Bismol. Mom took a tablespoon in the morning before eating, one in the afternoon and one in the evening for three months. We did not tell the doctor (I am not recommending that) because we knew the doctor would think we were crazy but we were desperate! Mom could not even feed herself and was in a hospital bed at home when we began treatments. She cut the steroids in half. Later she cut it in half again to ween herself from the drug. By the end of 3 months the doctors test showed that she was lupus free. She made numerous trips back to the doctor for checkups for 2 years and the lupus never returned. It may sound incredible but it worked for my mother. God bless you and her. I will pray for her full recovery.
MCG525at 9-28-2009
I am so sorry to hear of your mom, and of the passing of Lucy. I lost my mom to Lupus just over 11 years ago. My thoughts and prayers are with you, your mom, and Lucy;s family.
helgaat 9-29-2009
I am so sorry Kayla. I dont know if you have heared of healing rooms where people go to be prayed for. Many,many healings have been received. look on the internet. These are christian healing rooms of course.As I send this off, I will pray for you and your mother...love and peace.
Jillat 9-29-2009
My heart goes out to your family and Lucy's family. I can somewhat imagine what you are going through. I lost my father to pulmonary fibrosis in 2007 and while it isn't the same, loss is loss. Back in 2001 I suffered for one month with medicated induced lupus due to the meds they put me on. It was the most horrible time in my life and I would never want to go back there and I only had a small taste of it. My prayers are with your family and Lucy's at this time.......
margieat 9-28-2009
Say hi! to John and George for me. We miss them and loved YOUR song...always!!!!
Tom Kershisat 9-28-2009
Lucy dying at the age of 46 (last Tuesday) and the album being cut in 1967 just doesn't add up. She was four years old?