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'Lucy In the Sky' Dead at 46

Lucy O'Donnell, nursery school classmate of John's son, inspired Beatles hit

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 28, 2009 11:24 AM CDT

(Newser) – Lucy O’Donnell, the girl who supposedly inspired John Lennon and Paul McCartney to write “Lucy In the Sky with Diamonds,” has died of lupus at age 46. Though the song was controversial when it debuted on Sgt. Pepper for its purported reference to LSD, Lennon’s eldest son Julian has said it was inspired by a picture he drew of O’Donnell, his nursery school classmate, in 1966.

The cover of "Sgt. Pepper."

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Showing 3 of 5 comments

wwwonderer

Sep 28, 2009 9:51 AM CDT

That's what so funny. Clemont's comments that "a simpler time gone by when the united states was not in danger." The late '60s, early '70s and the US was NOT in danger? Really? But NOW the US faces so many dangers? *roll eyes* It's unfortunate that MOST of the danger the US faces is from it's idiot citizens who know not what they do or where REAL dangers originate.

Rocket448

Sep 28, 2009 6:29 AM CDT

Lupus was once front-and-center as medicine did its best to find a cure. That was back in the 70s. As diseases go, lupus is dreadful. It attacks the victim's body, destroying it system by system until death occurs. There's no cure, no known vector, and only amelioration. I'm sure British National Health Service would have provided world-class support to Lucy, but no one anywhere would have been able to cure her. I wonder when her disease had its onset?

opheliaglass

Sep 28, 2009 6:18 AM CDT

clemont, do you even know what you're talking about?! A simpler time? Where do you get your history from, coloring books?

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'Lucy In the Sky' Dead at 46

Lucy O'Donnell, nursery school classmate of John's son, inspired Beatles hit

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

music • Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band • obituary • John Lennon • Beatles • lupus • LSD • Julian Lennon

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Tommy Director Dead at 84

Ken Russell's wild films stirred 1970s controversy

John Lennon Peace Sign Sells for $154K

He made the placard during a 'bed-in' with Yoko Ono

For Sale: John Lennon's Tooth

It's expected to fetch more than $15K

At Yard Sale: McCartney Letter Seeking New Beatle

Now at Christie's; may fetch $11K

'Father of Pop Art' Dead at 89

Richard Hamilton designed Beatles' 'White Album'

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'Lucy In the Sky' Dead at 46

Lucy O'Donnell, nursery school classmate of John's son, inspired Beatles hit

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

music • Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band • obituary • John Lennon • Beatles • lupus • LSD • Julian Lennon

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Tommy Director Dead at 84

Ken Russell's wild films stirred 1970s controversy

John Lennon Peace Sign Sells for $154K

He made the placard during a 'bed-in' with Yoko Ono

For Sale: John Lennon's Tooth

It's expected to fetch more than $15K

At Yard Sale: McCartney Letter Seeking New Beatle

Now at Christie's; may fetch $11K

'Father of Pop Art' Dead at 89

Richard Hamilton designed Beatles' 'White Album'

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?