The King of Rock and Roll’s daughter in January of this year passed away.
Lisa Marie Presley in a black fedora for a glam photoshoot.
The only child of the “King of Rock n’ Roll” Lisa Marie passed away at 54 years old on January 13, 2023 at the start of the new year. The singer and songwriter was known for her musical career that consisted of three studio albums and released singles that included her using her father’s appreciable voice from his tracks that he released before he died. Presley continued the legacy and added on her own twist that earned her the spotlight along with her contributions to various organizations.
Born to Elvis and Priscilla Presley on February 1,1968, the artist turned philanthropist was born in Memphis Tennessee as an only child. Her parents divorced less than a year after she was born and lived with her mother in Los Angeles and visited her father often at the Graceland in Memphis where she became the sole heir of the mansion with her grandfather and great-grandmother. She inherited the well-known property in 1993 that had a value increase to $100 million. She later sold 85 percent of the estate in 2004 for charity, making her a highly respected humanitarian. Unlike the Kardashian’s children that are consistently in paparazzi photos, the King’s only child had a true level-headed upbringing by her mother. She accomplished a sense of normalcy during adolescence.
From early on she showed a love of music. She went to a Jackson 5 performance when she was 7 years old, and later to her first rock concert as her ears embraced Queen and caught Freddie Mercury’s attention by giving her Elvis’s scarf to him. She talked about her recording career at 16 years old and was warned by her mother that doors would open too easily for her as she was already considered the princess of rock n’ roll without contributing anything. She wanted to bring back her father’s dignity which was the most important thing to him.
The rock n’ roll princess’s voice carries a raw authenticity, a reflection of her own life experiences and emotions. While Elvis Presley’s voice was known for its powerful and smooth delivery, Lisa Marie’s vocals are marked by a certain grittiness that adds depth and sincerity to her music. Her ability to convey a range of emotions, from vulnerability to strength, distinguishes her as an artist with a voice that resonates on a personal level.
In addition to her vocal prowess, Lisa Marie is a talented songwriter, contributing to the authenticity of her music. Her albums serve as a platform for self-expression, allowing her to share her perspectives, struggles, and triumphs with her audience. Each album becomes a personal journey, with lyrics that delve into the complexities of life, relationships, and self-discovery.
Her heartbreaking addition to her father’s “Don’t Cry Daddy” 1969 track gathered attention as Presley presented it at a 1997 concert to commemorate his 20 year death anniversary. She released a continuation to her father’s song in 2007 with her voice included in “Just Because.” Presley continued her father’s lasting legacy, but she added her voice; she was not a carbon copy but instead carried a piece of him with her own creativity. Critics asked if it would have been different if she had not had the distinguished last name and the unintentional attention, would she have had the chance to release albums? Personally speaking, if she wanted to have the easy way for her bloodline, she could have been on a reality TV show and become Paris Hilton or simply have her own cooking show to talk about her fortune and inheritance. But the singer wanted to be authentic and show her true colors.
In essence, Lisa Marie Presley’s voice and talent, distinct from her father’s, have played a crucial role in shaping her identity as an artist. Her albums stand as testament to her individuality, making a lasting impact on the music industry and solidifying her status as an artist with a voice worth listening to.
Elvis Presley’s only daughter released her debut studio album To Whom It May Concern on April 8, 2003 with Capitol Records. Before releasing her own work at 35, she expressed concern about establishing her own identity and not relying on the previously well-known rock icon. To Whom It May Concern really spoke out loud with the messages in each song talking about regrets, disillusionment, and blaming herself and others for relationship failures, hinting the audience at her failed relationships with Danny Keough and Michael Jackson. The album received critical acclaim for its honesty and vulnerability, marking Lisa Marie as more than just the daughter of Elvis but as an artist with a distinct voice and message. Her debut single “Lights Out” gave a raw insight on living her life with the King’s legacy and the weight it held on her. It became an instant VH1 hit. “Sinking In,” is another one of the eleven songs that composed the album that reached No.15 on CMT Top 20 Countdown and received a four star rating from AllMusic on her album. Songs like “Lights Out” and “Sinking In” showcased her ability to navigate various genres, blending rock, blues, and country influences into a cohesive and compelling sound.
The album was known for Presley’s blue-edged voice and stark tone. Her album showed that she was not like the other 2000s divas according to AllMusic and that she had a real character and voice in her songs; a trait that has been passed down the line from her family. Her album ranked number nine in US Billboard 200 and number thirteen for Canadian Albums. In the album cover, her striking blue eyes resemble those of her father’s. The cover showed her classic look with her hands in a glossy black jacket. Her first album delivers the message of the harsh reality the Graceland mansion faced; the debut artist found writing as a therapeutic way to deal with all of her familial loss in that mansion as she saw it lost its life. What’s the purpose of living in a multimillion dollar mansion when the people around you are gone eternally?
Her second album released in 2005 called Now What has an album cover of Presley sitting crossed legged with a pair of Converse dressed all in black with an intense expression on her face as she stares deep into the camera’s soul. The artist is more vulnerable in this album as she refers to her mother’s shiny black hair in “Raven” and includes a voice sample from when she was 3 years old that features Pink as a backup singer in “Shine.” She provided a warm tone in each of her songs and a consistent message that never lost meaning. She continued to keep dignity by adding a twist of her own style to her music. Now What showcased Lisa Marie’s growth as a musician. It explored new musical territories while staying true to her roots. Tracks like “Dirty Laundry” demonstrated her willingness to experiment with different styles, creating a dynamic and evolving musical landscape.
While her music career was moderately successful, her love life took on the headlines, but not as much as Pete Davidson to the extent people forgot his comedic career. She met a man from a humble background named Danny Keough and married him in 1988; she had two children named Riley Keough and Benjamin Keough. Danny Keough was considered a nobody with an impressive singing voice, when he married Presley, he suddenly had the last name attached to him and swiftly became a recognized person. As more cameras kept following, he became a magnet for Elvis fanatics, which led to a split over his cockiness from his newly high profile. After divorcing Danny Keough in 1994, she married Michael Jackson twenty days later. She did not want to be with another unknown person as she did not want to be used for personal gain. Instead, her relationships became more complicated as she believed that loving another international sensation similar to her father who held the throne for a different genre would promise her happiness.
Presley dealt with Jackson’s fight against drug addiction and was an emotional support as he went through a variety of child molestation accusations. While they attempted to save their marriage from drowning by traveling around the world together, yet she only was able to deal with this for 18 months and eventually split from 1995 as she drew a parallel of her father’s addition and asked her husband if she would choose their future or the painkillers prescribed to him 10 years ago. Before she ended her second marriage, she appeared in Jackson’s “You are Not Alone” music video that gave a perception that they had a happy marriage as they appeared as an intimate couple. She later revealed to Oprah in 2010 that they were better off as companions than lovers due to their dramatic differences.
Lisa Marie battled with drug addiction when she felt like a loner at the different private schools she was sent to. In 2008, she had an opioid addiction that started after she was recovering from the birth of her daughters Vivienne and Finley. She was able to successfully overcome it because of the encouragement her children gave her; she was motivated to stop and stay alive for them as her love for them was worth more than her inherited fortune.
While Lisa Marie Presley’s music may not have garnered widespread commercial success, her albums have been praised for their authenticity and emotional resonance. Her songwriting often delves into personal struggles and triumphs, allowing listeners to connect with her on a deep and intimate level.
Lisa Marie’s unique voice plays a significant role in her musical identity. While she undoubtedly carries some vocal traits inherited from her father, Elvis Presley, her voice has a distinct raspiness and emotional nuance. Her delivery is often characterized by a raw and unpolished quality, contributing to the genuine and heartfelt nature of her music.
Despite not achieving the same level of fame as Elvis, Lisa Marie Presley has earned recognition for her contributions to the music industry. While she may not boast a plethora of awards, her impact is felt through her ability to connect with listeners on a personal level, allowing her to carve out a space for herself in the vast landscape of contemporary music. Lisa Marie’s unique voice and sincere approach to songwriting have earned her a dedicated fan base, solidifying her status as a respected artist in her own right. Her albums held importance in the music world for their authenticity, emotional depth, and the genuine connection they establish with listeners. She has carved out a niche that goes beyond comparisons to Elvis, establishing herself as a unique artist with a voice that resonates with those who appreciate heartfelt music.