Died On This Date (September 22, 2009) Lucy Vodden / Inspired “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds”
themusicsover Lucy Vodden (Born Lucy O’Donnell)
1963 – September 22, 2009
Lucy 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.
Most 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.
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.