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Presley daughter picks UK songwriter for career relaunch
MERCURY prize-nominated musician Richard Hawley has been enlisted by Elvis Presley's daughter to help relaunch her pop career.
Lisa Marie Presley appeared onstage with Hawley as a surprise guest during his concert on Thursday night to announce their songwriting partnership.
Former Pulp and Longpigs guitarist Hawley recently rejuvenated the career of Amarillo singer Tony Christie and is currently working with Dame Shirley Bassey on her comeback album. He has also written for Robbie Williams and Nancy Sinatra.
Presley, who appeared at the Shepherd's Bush Empire in London, said she chose to collaborate with rockabilly crooner Hawley after she became a fan of his music. The two have already written a couple of songs together – one of which, Weary, they performed together last night.
Speaking after the concert, Presley said: "I wrote the lyrics, Richard wrote the music. I am the first person he has written a song for in that way."
She added that the collaboration had so far been top secret, and that her decision to go on stage was spur of the moment.
Presley said: "I only knew I was coming on stage four hours ago. I was working with Richard today and we decided that I should go on, so I didn't have long to think about it."
But the singer, once married to Michael Jackson, said she was happier going on stage in the UK than in America.
She said: "I hadn't been on stage for a long time but I felt better about doing here. People are more music-focused here than they are in America. There when you go on stage you feel like they're going to rip you to shreds, here everyone is very welcoming."
Presley has recorded two previous albums, To Whom It May Concern and Now What.
But she said there is no game plan for her comeback at present, she said, other than to write more songs with Hawley, whom she described as a "lovely man" and a "good friend".
Although Hawley is a known Elvis fan – and has covered his songs at gigs – she said her father had not yet been discussed.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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