Watch Axl Rose's emotional eulogy and performance of Guns N' Roses 'November Rain' for his friend Lisa Marie Presley

24 January 2023, 09:31

Singer Lisa Marie Presley, only child of Elvis Presley, dies at the age of 54

"I do know Lisa loved her family very much and was fiercely protective of her father and his legacy – both her love for him and his love for her."

Axl Rose was one of many superstars in attendance at Lisa Marie Presley's memorial service, which was held at Elvis's former home Graceland yesterday (January 22).

The Guns N' Roses frontman gave a tender eulogy to his friend, who died earlier this month at the age of 54, and also performed his band's romantic piano ballad 'November Rain'.

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"I'm sure many of you are still in shock as I feel," Axl said.

"I'll continue to be for quite some time. I feel like I'm supposed to be texting her like right now saying, 'I'm here,' telling her how wonderful everyone is.

"I never in a million years imagined singing here, especially under these circumstances. This is truly devastating."

Axl Rose tributo a Lisa Presley “ November Rain “

He added: "I do know Lisa loved her family very much and was fiercely protective of her father and his legacy – both her love for him and his love for her.

"She was extremely proud as anyone could ever be of her father and his many accomplishments, his place in music and American and world history."

Others who shared their Remembrances of Lisa Marie or performed at the event included Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan, who played 'To Sheila', and Alanis Morissette who sang 'Rest', a song first performed at a tribute to Linkin Park's Chester Bennington, and which was later released for Mental Health Awareness in 2021.

Axl Rose speaks at Lisa Marie Presley memorial at Graceland in Memphis

The Celebration of Life ceremony opened with a performance of 'Amazing Grace' by Jason Clark & The Tennessee Mass Choir, with the same group closing it with a rendition from Revelation 19:1.

Also speaking at the ceremony was Lisa Marie's mother Priscilla, who gave a reading of a poem by one of her granddaughters – one of Lisa Marie's daughters.

"Lisa Marie Presley was an icon, a role model, a superhero to many people all over the world," Pricilla read as an introduction from the note during the service.

Priscilla Presley at Lisa Marie Celebration of Life

"But mama was my icon, my role model, my superhero, in much more ways than one."

Priscilla then read the poem, called 'Old Soul', which included the verse: "She always knew she wouldn't be here too long, Childhood passes by with a glimpse of her green eye".

Also during the ceremony, Ben Smith-Petersen – the husband of Lisa Marie's daughter Riley Keough – referenced his love for their daughter, whose birth in 2022 had previously been kept private, while reading a remembrance written by his wife.

Lisa Marie Presley Memorial: A statement from Riley Keough 'A letter to my mama'

"I hope I can love my daughter the way you loved me, the way you loved my brother and my sisters," said Ben, reading Riley's words on her behalf

"Thank you for giving me strength, my heart, my empathy, my courage, my sense of humour, my manners, my temper, my wildness, my tenacity.

"I'm a product of your heart, my sisters are a product of your heart, my brother is a product of your heart."