Happy Birthday, Elvis! You Left Us Way Too Soon

The King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, was born on January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi. The story of his life and death has been well-told, but it bears repeating that Elvis was just 42 years old when he died at his Graceland home in the summer of 1977. That thought begs the question: how much Presley artistry has the world missed out on in the intervening 34 years. For some perspective, let's consider what some other artists have produced in their 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s.

Tom Jones, a Presley contemporary who was born in 1940, has continued to produce records and make spirited appearances into his 70s. In fact, Jones has released 14 albums since he turned 42. Smokey Robinson, also born in 1940, continues to crank out his smooth soul music on the air waves and on shows like "American Idol."

Among the slightly younger set, several musicians who made their marks as young people have proved that middle-age can be a real heyday for artists. Eric Clapton, Tom Petty, Paul McCartney, and Billy Joel have continued to crank out the hits well past Elvis' final age of 42. Even Michael Jackson, who married into the Presley family for a brief moment, never let up in producing music, right up until his own untimely death.

Given that Elvis built the ladder up which most of these gents climbed to success, it's safe to think that a sober, satisfied Elvis would still be at or near the top of his game, even today. Heck, he may even have given acting another try, this time taking the reins himself and taking on more dignified roles. Whetever the case, his early death robbed us all of one of the iconic figures of the 20th Century. Happy birthday, King!