Lisa Marie Presley, the only child of rock and roll legend Elvis Presley, carved her own path while carrying the weight of her father’s monumental legacy. In a candid interview, she shared insights into her unique childhood at Graceland, her views on life, relationships, and her own journey as a mother and musician. While perhaps not widely known for Lisa Marie Presley Singing With Elvis In The Ghetto during his lifetime, their voices later united through touching musical tributes.
Childhood Memories at Graceland
“I was just nine when my father [Elvis Presley] died,” Lisa Marie shared, reflecting on her early years. “But I had a very special relationship with him. He was the most incredible, enigmatic, powerful, dynamic human being I’ve ever met.” She noted that as far as men go, her father “left big shoes to fill.” His continued presence in popular culture doesn’t feel odd or surreal to her; in fact, she finds happiness in it.
Most of her memories revolve around their time together at their home. “Our rooms were on the top floor of Graceland [Elvis’ home in Memphis, Tennessee],” she recalled. “We would sit in my room and watch TV, and spend a lot of time together upstairs alone.” Their shared activities included golf-cart rides and visits to her grandfather or the pet store. She added, “I didn’t find it hard to have a normal life,” explaining that the level of intense media scrutiny wasn’t as pervasive then as it is today, allowing her more space to make mistakes and grow up privately. Elvis was known for creating a lot of elvis rock n roll songs but his private side was often hidden.
Remembering Elvis’ Complex Personality
“My father was very funny, very playful, but he also had a very bad temper,” Lisa Marie stated, describing his extreme nature. He could be incredibly funny and playful, or in such a bad mood that people would scatter. However, she felt his frustrations were often exacerbated by the “vampires around him, stupid people, and they’d tick him off.” Like anyone, she emphasized, he was human and sometimes felt frustrated. Discovering all the songs elvis presley list reveals the incredible range of his career.
Reflections on Relationships and Marriage
Lisa Marie found herself comfortable around boys from a young age, not viewing them as alien. However, she noted a significant difference between men and women. One observation she highlighted about men is that “if they’ve had a good relationship with their mother, and are close with their mother, they are better partners for women. That is a fact.” Key qualities she values in men are dedication, loyalty, honesty, and not seeking their needs elsewhere.
Marriages and Lessons Learned
She married and became pregnant very early, expecting her daughter Riley Keough by her 21st birthday. This led to years focused on being a mother before releasing her first record in her 30s. Despite the early start, she coped well with being a young mom and felt no restraint, having already “sown her wild oats.” Motherhood, she affirms, was her favorite thing, viewing herself as a protective “lioness” and caretaker who would have had 15 children if possible.
Looking back at her marriages – to Danny Keough, Michael Jackson, Nicolas Cage, and Michael Lockwood – she holds no regrets. “They were all incredible, fun experiences,” she stated. Some were impulsive, born of wild times, but she doesn’t see them as failures, simply relationships that weren’t ideally partnered in the end.
The Bond with Michael Jackson
Her marriage to Michael Jackson was intense and marked by “a very deep strong love.” However, she felt “too much happened, too much got between us.” Interference from people on both sides, telling them what to do and speaking on behalf of the other, ultimately strained the relationship. “Had it been just he and I, towards the end, I don’t think we would have divorced.”
Finding Stability with Michael Lockwood
Her marriage to Michael Lockwood lasted 11 years. Meeting through work, they developed a very close bond, never being apart for a night and rarely fighting. She cherished his easy-going nature, describing him as smart, thoughtful, supportive, and non-jealous. “He’s the coolest guy I’ve met in my f…ing life,” she quipped. She humorously added that he taught her she could be a “complete raving lunatic.”
While Michael Lockwood is a “huge muso,” Lisa Marie noted he never mentioned listening to her father’s music much. He was a big Beatles fan, which she initially viewed as competition to her father when she was younger, admitting she didn’t like them then out of protectiveness for her dad. She clarified that she no longer dislikes them and admires John Lennon. Fans interested in Lisa’s own career can find songs by lisa presley showcasing her distinct musical style.
Motherhood: Her Greatest Joy
Lisa Marie was a mother to four children: Riley Keough (an actress, born 1989), Benjamin Keough (born 1992), and twin daughters Harper and Finley Lockwood (born 2008). She openly admitted to spoiling her son Benjamin, who had her “wrapped around his finger.” He could make her cry but also laugh uncontrollably. She felt similarly about Riley, while describing the twins as the “most precious things ever.”
Lisa Marie Presley portrait from interview
Forging Her Own Musical Path
Lisa Marie embarked on her music career later in life, releasing her first album in her 30s and eventually her third, Storm & Grace. Beyond her own albums, Lisa Marie also participated in special projects honoring her father’s memory. These sometimes involved creating duets where her voice was combined with his classic recordings. One notable example that resonated with fans was lisa marie presley singing with elvis in the ghetto, a moving collaboration that brought new life to Elvis’s iconic song and allowed father and daughter to ‘sing’ together across time. These lisa marie duets with elvis were powerful tributes, showcasing the enduring connection between their musical worlds.
Insights on Men Through Her Son’s Eyes
The title track of her album Storm & Grace was written for her son, Benjamin. It addresses the pressures and expectations faced by men. She describes how her son, despite having the “biggest heart,” learned to put up a protective shell, which she sees as not necessarily a positive development. “When men get hurt, they get more and more protective and closed off,” she observed, expressing a wish that there was a way to fix this cycle.
Lisa Marie Presley’s reflections offer a poignant look at a life lived in the shadow and light of extraordinary fame, shaped by profound personal relationships, the challenges of public life, and the enduring bond with her legendary father’s legacy.
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald, March 19, 2014 (Interview by Paul Connolly)
