Lisa Marie Presley, like many in her family before her, died before her time. She passed away this week of heart failure, also like many in her family tree. She was only 54. Elvis died when he was 42, also from heart complications. Elvis’s mother, Gladys Smith Presley, died the same way. And she was only 46.
But heart problems and death at a young age isn’t the only legacy this family has. Obviously Elvis, being the King of Rock and Roll, created the legacy of music in the family. And Lisa Marie followed in his footsteps. Not only by marrying two musicians, or by her children who are also singers. Lisa Marie created her own legacy as a singer, and a pretty good one at that.
Elvis Presley‘s only child saw her own success in the music world. She released three albums. To Whom It May Concern (2003), Now What (2005), and Storm & Grace (2012). The first of these albums went to number 5 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart and was certified gold. Lisa Marie wrote or cowrote all lyrics and melodies on that album. Showing that she was more than just “Elvis’s kid” in her musical success.
She sounds a bit like Gwen Stefani in some of her songs. And Sheryl Crow in others. And her lyrics mirrors that of P!nk in songs like her Idiot track. But her Memphis influence comes through in some of her music, and especially in her bluesy voice. Basically, Lisa Marie Presley was a little bit of everything. But always a lot of her dad.
Besides her three albums, Lisa Maria Presley released singles of duets with her famous dad. Those included In The Ghetto in 2007 and I Love You Because in 2012. But the songstress didn’t need to rely on Elvis’s music. She had talent all her own. Here are seven tracks that prove just that. –Wendy Rush
Shine (Featuring P!nk)
This hauntingly beautiful track is from Lisa Marie’s Now What album, released in 2005. Click on the photo to hear the song.
Lights Out
The first single from her To Whom It May Concern album, this went to number 18 on the Billboard Hot Adult Top 40 in 2003. Click on the photo to watch the music video.
Dirty Laundry (Don Henley Cover)
I am LOVING her version of this classic. Click on the photo to watch the music video. And is it just me or does this kind of have a Seal vibe? And watch for a cameo from one of our favorites 80’s musicians!
Thanx
From Now What (2005). Click on the photo to hear the song.
