Woman behind Beatles’ ‘Lucy’ song ailing

The woman behind the Beatles’ hit song Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds has the auto-immune disease lupus, British singer Julian Lennon says.

Lennon, whose late father John was a member of the popular British rock group, said Lucy Vodden, 46, is facing organ breakdown and intense pain as she battles lupus, The Sunday Times of London reported.

Vodden, whose maiden name is O’Donnell, earned instant notoriety after being identified as the inspiration for the song from the Beatles album Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.

The younger Lennon, who uttered the line that became the song’s refrain when referring to a picture he had drawn of his young nursery school friend, said he has been offering aid when he can to his father’s former muse.

I’ve been able to help out a bit, he said. I was so upset to hear what had happened.

Vodden told The Sunday Times she has received gift vouchers to a garden center, flowers and a personal card from her former schoolmate.

It was lovely of Julian, she said of his get-well gifts.