Obits

Beatles' ‘Lucy’ Inspiration Dies

“I can’t stand the song,” she said.

Lucy Vodden, the inspiration for the classic Beatles' song "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" has passed away at the age of 46. A childhood classmate of John Lennon’s son Julian, Vodden had been battling lupus for over a decade prior to succumbing. The song came about after Julian came home from school and showed his father a drawing of Vodden with stars around her head, declaring her to be “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds.” The song later became a key track on the seminal Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album, though Vodden herself said, “I can't stand the song. I don't feel I can relate to it. I just don't like it.” The schoolmates had been back in touch in recent years, and Lennon sent Vodden flowers after learning of her illness. Lennon and his mother Cynthia are said to be “shocked and saddened” by the news of Vodden’s death.