Lucy in the Sky

Some years ago, I saw a documentary about The Beatles' early years. Part of it was a conversation with, I think, George Harrison concerning the origins of the "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds" track on the Sgt. Pepper album.

That's the John Lennon title which many thought was intended to suggest the abbreviation "LSD." Which, given John's affinity for both hallucinogens and clever word-play, wasn't totally unreasonable. But, according to George's story, its origins were much more innocent.

Julian Lennon, John's four year old son, had come home from nursery school with a rather extraordinary drawing of which he was quite proud. When asked what it represented, he said, "Oh, that's Lucy in the sky with diamonds." And that, said George, is where the inspiration for the song, as well as its title, had actually come from.

Last night, as I was browsing the internet, I came across the news that Lucy O'Donnell Vodden, Julian's school chum and the subject of his drawing, had died at age 46 after a long battle with lupus.

I wonder if it was any comfort to her that she'd been immortalized in one of the greatest rock-and-roll albums of all time...