Guns N' Roses' Axl Rose performs emotional 'November Rain' tribute to Lisa Marie Presley

Yesterday a large crowd of family, friends and public mourners gathered at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee, for the memorial service of Lisa Marie Presley. 

And Guns N' Roses singer Axl Rose made sure he was there to pay tribute to his good friend.

Speaking in a rare appearance, the rocker took the stage to share some heartfelt words about Lisa Marie before performing an emotional solo piano rendition of 'November Rain.'

"With Lisa’s passing, I knew if I was invited I needed to come to these ceremonies," Rose began his emotional statement.

"I hadn’t planned on speaking, and when I was put on the spot, I really didn’t know what to say. I was tongue-tied and nervous, and I didn’t really know what I said. But I, as I’m sure many of you, are still in shock, as I feel I will continue to be for quite some time.

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

Rose concluded: "We're gathered here today to pay our respects to Lisa and her family and to share our memories, console one another to the degree that we're able, and though under such difficult, heartbreaking and sombre circumstances.

"Also to celebrate the life of a friend, a loved one, a beautiful and good soul, and a cherished and deeply missed family member. Lisa is loved and missed by many and will continue to be loved and missed by all those whose lives she touched. Thank you."

Following his speech, Rose sat down at a nearby piano to deliver a shortened version of Guns N’ Roses hit. 

Lisa Marie – the only child of the late Elvis Presley and his wife, Priscilla Presley – died on January 12 at the age of 54, after being rushed to a Los Angeles hospital for a possible cardiac arrest.

Lisa Marie's final resting place is at Graceland in its Meditation Garden beside her father, as well as her paternal grandparents, Vernon and Gladys Presley, great-grandmother, Minnie Mae Presley, and her father's twin brother, Jessie Presley, who died at birth.

Her son Benjamin Keough, who died by suicide in 2020 at the age of 27, is also buried there.