Elvis Week: Lisa Marie Presley talks candidly about personal struggles

Bob Mehr | Memphis Commercial Appeal

It was a family affair Saturday at Graceland as throngs of fans made their way to Memphis to mark the 41st anniversary of Elvis Presley’s passing. The festivities were highlighted by the presence of Presley’s only child, daughter Lisa Marie Presley, who was on hand to discuss the release of the new Elvis album “Where No One Walks Alone,” which celebrates her father’s love of gospel music.

The weekend event followed a Friday morning ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new exhibit called “Growing Up Presley.” Focusing on Lisa Marie’s own story and her efforts to continue her father’s legacy, the event coincided with her appearance on NBC’s “Today."

Elvis Week 2018: Concerts, panels, candlelight vigil highlight packed slate

In the interview with Jenna Bush Hager, the 50-year-old Presley spoke openly about her personal struggles in recent years – which include a nasty and public divorce/custody battle with her fourth husband Michael Lockwood, and a $100 million lawsuit against her former business manager.

During the segment, Presley also revealed that she’d overcome a drug addiction. “I was not happy,” she told Hager. “And by the way, the struggle and addiction for me, started when I was 45 years old. It wasn’t like it was happening all my life.”

Perhaps in light of this, Saturday’s daytime presentation at the Graceland Soundstage was an unusually emotional event. Joining Lisa Marie were “Where No One Walks Alone” co-producers Joel Weinshanker, managing partner of Graceland holdings, and Memphis-bred singer and musician Andy Childs.

Released Friday, the album pairs some of Elvis’ classic gospel performances with newly recorded music. The record also features guest artists, including Darlene Love and Cissy Houston, and a duet with Lisa Marie on the album’s title track.

Along with the 50th anniversary celebration of the “68 Comeback Special,” the gospel record is one of the centerpieces of this year’s Elvis Week programming.

Weinshanker – the celebrity licensing magnate who partnered with Lisa Marie in the Graceland operation in 2013 – spoke about Elvis’ connection and affection for gospel.

“It was more than just music, it’s really what grounded him, made him feel what life was worth living for, to an extent,” said Weinshanker.

He also noted that Lisa Marie is “the most honest genuine person I’ve ever met in my entire life. I don’t know if you watched the ‘Today’ show interview yesterday. She’s just so brave and so honest with her fans and so honest with people. It’s really hard not to want to help her,” said Weinshanker of the genesis of the “Where No One Walks Alone” record. “I called her up…and said this crazy thought came to me that this record is that help. She said to me ‘I’ve been thinking the same thing.’”

Presley noted that the Hollywood recording session with Childs to cut her part of the duet came amidst a particularly turbulent time in her life.

“It was like how do I get this day planned in the middle of – I’m sorry – multiple [expletive] storms,” she said. “I needed a break for a second just to do it. I remember thinking: why am I doing this? But I did it – and, for me, it was super emotional.”

Elvis Week programming will continue through next weekend. Highlights include a gospel concert on Tuesday night, and a gospel panel Wednesday morning. The annual candlelight vigil is set for Wednesday evening at Graceland.