Died On This Date (September 22, 2009) Lucy Vodden / Inspired “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds”

Lucy Vodden (Born Lucy O’Donnell)
1963 – September 22, 2009

lucyLucy Vodden was known by her maiden name, Lucy O’Donnell when she was a classmate of Julian Lennon, son of John Lennon.  The story goes that one day, the four-year-old Julian came home from school with a drawing he made.  He told his father that it was Lucy in the sky with diamonds.  John, who was working with the other Beatles on Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club band took those words and that image and wrote their classic song, “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds.”  Early on, many believed the song was actually about L.S.D. – “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds.”  Vodden was diagnosed with Lupus in recent years, and when Julian discovered that in early 2009, he reconnected with her for the first time since childhood.  He helped her deal with the illness by corresponding with her and sending her gift certificates for her local nursery since she had a fondness for gardening.  Lucy Vodden was 46 when she passed away.



Died On This Date (September 22, 1989) Irving Berlin / Iconic Songwriter

Irving Berlin
May 11, 1888 – September 22, 1989

berlinMost agree that Irving Berlin was one of the greatest songwriters in history.  A very prolific writer, he reportedly wrote over 1500 songs over a career that spanned some 60 years.  Many of his songs became standards loved the world over.  That list includes “White Christmas,” “God Bless America,” “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” and “Puttin’ On The Ritz.”  He also wrote the scores to nearly 40 Broadway shows and major Hollywood films, earning him eight Oscar nominations.  Irving Berlin died in his sleep at the age of 101.



Died On This Date (September 22, 1980) Jimmy Bryant / Famed Session Guitarist

Jimmy Bryant
March 5, 1925 – September 22, 1980

jimmybryant
With Speedy West

Jimmy Bryant was an in-demand session guitarist whose played on numerous country and jazz recordings during the ’50s and ’60s, most notably those by Tennessee Ernie Ford.  He was equally adept at country and jazz, and was often referred to as the fastest guitarist in the country.  During the ’50s, Bryant partnered with steel guitar great, Speedy West to record for Capitol Records.  A heavy smoker, Jimmy Bryant died of lung cancer at the age of 55.

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Died On This Date (September 22, 2007) Larry Fuller / Bluegrass Great

Larry Fuller
1949 – September 22, 2007

Larry Fuller was a bluegrass guitar picker who was well known in and around the Kentucky music community.  Fuller began his music career during the 1970s when he was working as a coal miner.  A job injury in 1986 forced him out of the mines and into music full time.  A traditionalist, Fuller’s music was rooted deep in the mountain music he grew up hearing around him.  Larry Fuller’s life came to a tragic end when he died in a fire that engulfed his tour bus.  For reasons unknown, Fuller was inside the bus as it was parked in his driveway around 2 am.  He was 58 years old.

Died On This Date (September 22, 2008) Connie Haines / Prolific Big Band Singer

Connie Haines (Born Yvonne JaMais)
January 20, 1921 – September 22, 2008

With Frank Sinatra
With Frank Sinatra

Connie Haines was a prolific big band singer whose voice could be heard on over 200 recordings.  She was just four years old when she began performing publicly, and by the time she reached her early teens, she was a regular on local radio programs.   Throughout her career, Haines performed or recorded with Tommy Dorsey, Frank Sinatra, Harry James and Frankie Laine.  She died of myasthenia gravis, a neuromuscular disease, at the age of 87.