On September 10, 2007, millions of people tuned in to watch the season premiere of The Oprah Winfrey Show.
They knew they were going to see something special, but they did not expect a moment that would leave the entire audience in tears. That day, Lisa Marie Presley walked onto the stage to sing a very special duet. But she wasn’t singing with just anyone. She was singing with her late father, Elvis Presley.
It was the 30th anniversary of Elvis’s death, and Lisa Marie wanted to recognize his legacy in a beautiful way.
As she stood under the stage lights, a massive video screen shone up behind her. On the screen was old footage of Elvis singing his famous 1969 hit, “In the Ghetto.”
Elvis & Lisa Marie Presley – “In The Ghetto” – Live @ Oprah
With the powerful Harlem Gospel Choir backing her up, Lisa Marie began to sing live right along with her father’s recorded voice. It looked and sounded like a real father-daughter reunion.
The song they sang together is one of the most serious and sad songs Elvis ever made. Written by Mac Davis, “In the Ghetto” tells the story of a poor baby boy born in Chicago who grows up with no help, gets into trouble, and sadly dies young. Elvis connected intensely with the song because he grew up poor himself.
When he first released it in 1969, it became a massive hit, reaching #3 on the Billboard charts and proving to the world that Elvis could sing about real, important issues.
Elvis Presley – In The Ghetto (Music Video)
Hearing Lisa Marie sing those exact same words thirty years later gave everyone chills. Her performance was not flashy or loud. Instead, it was filled with deep feeling and quiet love.
Her 18-year-old daughter, Riley Keough, sat in the audience watching her mother keep the family magic alive. It was a rare, private look into how much Lisa Marie missed her dad and how proudly she carried his name.
When the music finally stopped, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. The performance proved a great recollection of Elvis’s incredible talent, but more importantly, it was a sweet gift from a daughter to her father.
Through the force of technology and music, Lisa Marie brought the King of Rock and Roll back to life for one beautiful night, giving fans a memory they would never forget.