Axl Rose: Why He Performed ‘November Rain’ at the Lisa Marie Presley Memorial

Axl Rose provided a very moving moment during the memorial service for Lisa Marie Presley at Graceland on January 22. Not only did the Guns N’ Roses frontman speak at the service, he also performed the GN’R classic “November Rain.”

Rose spoke briefly with Entertainment Tonight’s Kevin Frazier following the service. Frazier told Rose about “November Rain,” “That was one of her favorite songs, apparently.” Rose responded alluding to the fact that Presley asked for him to perform the song at her funeral if she suddenly died. He said, “Yes. It was my understanding she had actually talked about if the situation … So, that’s why I was asked to do it. Of course, I had to be here.”

Rose also mentioned he was nervous when delivering remarks at Presley’s service. He said, “I didn’t really know I was going to speak or anything. I still feel like, I don’t know that I deserve to be here, but I wanted to try to do right by her and her family and her fans. So, it meant a lot. I was pretty nervous and emotional up there.”

Rose said, in part, during his remarks, “I never in a million years imagined singing here, and especially under these circumstances. This is truly devastating and I’m sure excruciating for everyone here and all of those affected by her passing. At the same time, one can see how hard everyone’s worked, and is working, to make this as beautiful for Lisa as it can be and is. I’m honored to be here for Lisa and her family.”

Presley passed away on January 12 at age 54 after going into cardiac arrest at her home in Calabasas, Calif.

Lisa Marie Presley: Photos of Fans Gathering at Graceland Leaving Tributes

Lisa Marie Presley suddenly dying at age 54 last week has led to people honoring her at Graceland.

In the photos below, a number of people went to the landmark home of Lisa Marie’s late father, Elvis Presley. They left signs, flowers and other tributes to the only child of Elvis and Priscilla Presley.

A rep for Riley Keough, Lisa Marie’s oldest daughter, told the media in a statement, “Lisa Marie’s final resting place will be at Graceland, next to her beloved son Ben.” Ben Keough tragically died by suicide at age 27 in July 2020. Elvis Presley and other members of the Presley family are also buried on the ground of the famed Memphis property.

A Graceland rep told People that the trust that runs Graceland will now benefit Riley, 33, and Lisa Marie’s 14-year-old twin daughters, Harper and Finley. Per Graceland’s official website, Lisa Marie was the sole heir to Elvis’ estate following the death of his father, Vernon Presley, in 1979 and his grandmother, Minnie Mae, in 1980. Lisa Marie legally obtained her inheritance on her 25th birthday in 1993, which was in a trust. She then created a new trust aptly named The Elvis Presley Trust. The trust managed the entire Presley estate. Priscilla Presley and the National Bank of Commerce were listed as co-trustees on the trust.