Peter Fonda inspired one of The Beatles' greatest album tracks

John Lennon took inspiration from the actor during an acid trip in 1965

Jacob Stolworthy
Saturday 17 August 2019 09:07 BST
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Easy Rider star Peter Fonda dies aged 79

It was an acid trip with Peter Fonda, who has died at the age of 79, that inspired John Lennon to write one of The Beatles’ classic album tracks.

In 1965, the actor – who would go on to co-write and star in counterculture classic Easy Rider four years later – was enjoying a night out with the Fab Four when George Harrison, high on LSD, feared he would die.

Fonda, who survived a near-fatal shooting accident as a child, told The Post in 2000: “I was saying, ‘Don’t worry George, it’s OK. I know what it’s like to be dead.'"

These words of encouragement, though, confused Lennon. Fonda recalled: “Lennon looks over and says, ‘You know what it’s like to be dead? Who put all that s*** in your head? You’re making me feel like I’ve never been born.'"

His words would eventually become a lyric featured on Revolver track “She Said She Said” one year later.

Fonda’s sister, Hollywood star Jane, led tributes to the actor following his death.

In a statement, she said: “I am very sad. He was my sweet-hearted baby brother. The talker of the family. I have had a beautiful alone time with him these last days.”

The actor, who is best known for his starring role as Wyatt in 1969’s counterculture classic Easy Rider, passed away peacefully at his home in Los Angeles, his family said in a statement.

They said the official cause of death was respiratory failure due to lung cancer.

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