Beatles 101 tells us that a drawing of a schoolmate by the young Julian Lennon inspired his father’s trippy “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” from Sgt. Pepper. But you’ll never believe where that piece of rock history ended up.
Of course, for a time there remained a great debate over the supposed drug reference in this classic Beatles cut, since the capitalized words of its title form “LSD.” And while recreational drug use certainly was a element of John Lennon’s inspiration during the heady days of 1967, in this instance that wasn’t the case.
The younger Lennon, in a new talk with Access Hollywood Live, confirms that the song was, in fact, derived from a “scribble at school.”
Sadly, he adds, the subject of the photo passed away from lupus a few years ago, something that directly led to Julian Lennon’s involvement in the Lupus Foundation as the American Ambassador.
That’s only added to the longevity of “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” he says.
But whatever happened to the original drawing?
“I don’t have it,” Julian admits. “Dave Gilmour from Pink Floyd has it.”
Julian Lennon recently saw the U.S. release of a new solo album called Everything Changes. His father John was murdered by a crazed fan on this day back in 1980.
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McCartney says of course it was about drugs:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A11258-2004Jun2.html
On the other hand, John swore to his dying day that it was just a coincidence:
http://www.snopes.com/music/hidden/lucysky.asp
Ringo has apparently been silent on the matter.
McCartney is busy turning the Beatles into his backing band. Too bad John isn’t around to correct him.