Julian, Sean, Billy Joel, Neil Young, Keith Richards, Don Everly, Phil Everly, Chuck Berry, and Ray Charles onstage at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in New York City.
On January 23, 1986, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame held its first induction ceremony at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. The first class to be inducted were Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, Little Richard, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly, the Everly Brothers, Ray Charles, James Brown, Sam Cooke, Jerry Lee Lewis, Sam Phillips, Robert Johnson, Jimmie Rogers, Jimmy Yancey, John Hammond and Alan Freed. Usually a musician inspired by the honored musician does the honors to induct their inspirational hero; for Elvis, it was John's sons, Julian and Sean. It's no secret that John was a big Elvis fan. If he had been alive, I am sure John would've been the one to induct Elvis. But since John is no longer with us, Julian and Sean did the honors. I don't think Yoko attended - I couldn't find any pictures of her at the event so she trusted Julian (who was 22) to care of Sean (who was 10). Sean wore John's Elvis pin. Julian spoke.
"I'd just like to say first of all that I'm very pleased and very proud and very very nervous to be here tonight. I just wanted to say that our father was a big fan of Elvis’s and, of course, Elvis was loved all over the world, and we are all influenced by him. I think a lot of people in the world get a lot of pleasure from listening to him and love him greatly.”
Julian, 1986
Julian then read a direct quote from John:
“Elvis was the thing, whatever people say, he was it. I was not competing against Elvis, rock happened to be the media I was born into – it was the one, that’s all. Those people who picked up paint brushes, like Van Gogh, probably wanted to be Renoir or whomever went before him. I wanted to be Elvis.”
Sean and Julian performing onstage
Julian with Priscilla Presley in Cannes, May of 2022
John (along with Paul, George, and Ringo) met Elvis at his rented home in Los Angeles. Julian met Elvis' ex wife Priscilla during Cannes Film Festival in 2022. Julian and Sean eventually got to meet Lisa Marie over the years and expressed their sadness over her death on January 12, 2023.
"So sad to hear of Lisa Marie’s Passing…. She was so lovely when I met her… My Heart goes out to Priscilla…. I’m so sorry 💔"
Julian, 2023
"Got home late from seeing a show to hear the tragic news about Lisa Marie Presley. I had only met her a few times briefly. But I have to admit I felt a kinship with her. Not many people know what it’s like. I know she was a special person. My heart aches for Priscilla."
Sean, 2023
"Rest in peace, beautiful Lisa Marie. Our love and deepest condolences go out to Priscilla, Riley, Finley and Harper and all the Presley family - our hearts are with you. love,"
Yoko, 2023
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