Sex,
Drugs & Rock 'n' Roll The Lisa Marie Presley Story
by
Katherine Cummings
America
Media, Inc., 2004, Softcover, 219 pages, Illustrated, ISBN:
1-932270-26-4
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Published
earlier this year, the second biography about Lisa Marie
Presley mirrors its predecessor (Elvis My Dad) in that
it is a lightweight release, at times superficial, at
times sensational. Its only redeeming feature (if you
can call it that) is its publication date.
Unlike
the now out-of-date book, Elvis My Dad, published in
1990, Sex Drugs & Rock 'n' Roll offers an up-to-date
biography of Lisa Marie Presley including discussion
of the Church of Scientology, motherhood, her three
marriages, health problems (apparently caused largely
by mercury poisoning) and more recently, Lisa's burgeoning
musical career and her battle with stage fright.
The
give-away on this book is the cover note: "from the
files of THE NATIONAL ENQUIRER".
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Not
renowned for its balanced coverage of any topic, the National
Enquirer's stories must be viewed with more than a little
scepticism (even after its ballyhooed new journalistic direction).
Drawing
on Lisa's various media interviews, other books about Elvis,
Priscilla and Lisa and quotes from third parties, Sex, Drugs
& Rock 'n' Roll is typical fare from The National Enquirer:
full of sensational claims, broad conjecture and superficial
inquiry. Michael Edwards' well publicised 'more than infatuation'
with his partner's daughter is taken directly from his own
absorbing book, Priscilla, Elvis & Me , while Ms Cummings
also borrows heavily from Suzanne Finstad's sensational release,
Child Bride and the first biography about Lisa, Elvis My Dad.
The
narrative is straightforward and conjours up nice imagery:
(on Lisa's marriage to Nic Cage): 'In fitting pirate fashion,
it was a marriage that was alternately smooth sailing and
rough waters.' Readers will find some of the material interesting
although many may have lingering doubts about the veracity
of some passages:
'After
watching the program E! True Hollywood Story: The Last Days
of Elvis she [Lisa] found herself thinking (about members
of the Memphis Mafia): "You slithering motherf***ers have
no right. None. You were responsible for this just as much
as he was. She does not hide her fury. "It's disgusting. I
hope they rot in hell."'
There
is for instance a blow-by-blow account of what transpired
when Lisa admitted to Priscilla that she had married Michael
Jackson, a discourse that apparently included Priscilla calling
her daughter "stupid". I guess it's not too far fetched given
how many other people viewed the unlikely union. The claim
that, during their marriage, Michael Jackson referred to Lisa
(behind her back) as a "heiffer" will raise more than one
eyebrow.
One
theme I enjoyed concerned the similarities between Elvis and
Michael Jackson, in particular how MJ emulated Elvis. Other
passages about the eccentric Jackson raise a smile but on
reflection arguably symbolise a quite serious personality
disorder. Sex, Drugs & Rock 'n' Roll touches of what could
be a telling theme, Lisa Marie Presley's insecurity as a person
and had the theme been explored in-depth a much more revealing
portrait of Lisa may have been presented.
So
who is the real Lisa Marie Presley? Sex, Drugs & Rock 'n'
Roll does not adequately answer this question although its
closing passage is instructive: 'But Lisa Marie is up for
the challenge. "Look," she has said, "my whole life has been
a constant battle of trying to find my own way."'
Verdict:
The definitive Lisa Presley bio is yet to be written.
So far two superfivial bios about Lisa - both lacking the
rigour and analysis needed to make a solid, reliable biography.
Lisa Marie Presley deserves better as her story undoubtedly
has substantial merit as a biography. If Lisa ever reads Sex,
Drugs & Rock 'n' Roll she would probably say (in her own inimitable
style), "What a f***in' load of garbage!"
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