We all remember Elvis and his hips. The King of Rock ‘n Roll passed away at the age of 42, which isn’t extremely young, but he was still taken too soon. He’d fallen on hard times, but there was still a lot of gyrating in those hips. Ever wonder what he would look like today?
Experts have asked several times where the hip-swaying performer would’ve been if he was still around today. Some believe he would’ve stayed in the limelight as long as possible, touring for years until his age caught up with him. Tickets would be insanely expensive, but it would be worth it to see the legend in person.
Freddie Mercury is possibly the best musician and performer that has ever lived. As the lead singer of Queen, he rallied everyone to sing with him and inspired LGBTQ people all over the world. Even though he passed away, he’s still doing just that. Needless to say, Mercury is an icon in more than one way, and he was certainly taken too soon.
Freddie Mercury is unique as he once mentioned where he would be when he grew older. He explained how he would eventually retire from music, but he would continue composing. Mercury was confident and flamboyant, so he would have continued to inspire young artists who didn’t know how they felt about themselves. He likely would have gone on to produce and write several amazing new albums.
Janis Joplin is one of the members of the infamous 27 Club – celebs who passed away at the mere age of 27. Janis Joplin was America’s first female rock star, and she dreamed to be just like Elvis and Aretha Franklin. When performing, she gave everything she had, but she also believed “if it feels good, do it,” which was what led to her death in 1970.
Janis Joplin had a troubled life, and the day she passed was certainly a sad one. If she hadn’t, we’re guessing this is what she’d look like. While she would have continued her career, it’s very possible she may have blown out her voice as she was known for singing loudly and roughly. Still, it’s hard for anyone to know for sure.
Bruce Lee was an actor, director, martial artist, and so much more. His movies became the stuff of legend, and he even helped train people like Jackie Chan. When he passed away at 32, rumors went wild, including murder and a supposed curse on his family. After his son passed away in 1993, the rumors strengthened and are still around today.
Jimi Hendrix is a household name. This rock singer is regarded as one of the most influential guitarists in history. Even the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame regards him as “the greatest instrumentalist in the history of rock music.” If he were alive today, he would be moving into his 80s.
Many people have speculated where Jimi Hendrix would be today. No doubt he would still have a massive cultural impact that would have changed music forever, but maybe he would have helped train a new generation of musicians. It certainly isn’t difficult to see him headlining major festivals that draw thousands of people.
No one can deny that John Lennon isn’t one of the greatest icons of music. Lennon arrived on the scene with the Beatles, but eventually split off and did his own thing while promoting peace. That’s precisely why his assassination came as such a shock to everyone – why murder someone that loved and encouraged peace?
Where would John Lennon be today? Considering the success of Paul McCartney, we don’t doubt he would have had a stellar career as a solo act. It also isn’t hard to see Lennon getting involved with politics in some way, as he was already very driven before his murder. He likely would have gone on to do many charitable acts that would’ve changed the world.
James Dean was an actor that everyone adored. He became a cultural icon, especially for teenagers. He performed in several features at a young age, but it wasn’t until East of Eden that his name became sealed in history. Soon afterward, he starred in Rebel Without a Cause. He was planned to be in several more movies, but he passed away in a car accident on September 30, 1955, at the age of 24.
James Dean’s death came as a surprise to everyone. Still, it wouldn’t be hard to imagine where he’d be today. James Dean would have been another Marlon Brando. He would have stormed the movie scene, making hit after hit until he decided to retire – although he certainly wouldn’t have to. Considering his passion for race cars, he likely would have a vast collection today.
Kurt Cobain is one of the most well-known and iconic singers in history. Kurt Cobain was the lead singer of Nirvana, and together, the band sold so many records that they became one of the best-selling bands of all time. Sadly, Cobain passed away at the age of 27, just as his star was shining the brightest.
We can only imagine what would have happened if Kurt Cobain hadn’t died so young. Would Nirvana become even bigger? What would become of the other band members, who went on to do big things? These questions won’t ever receive an answer, but at least we can answer what he’d look like if he lived long enough to get wrinkles.
Those who were alive in the ’90s can’t forget Selena. She was the Queen of Tejano and became one of the most influential Mexican-American artists in the late 20th century. She was the top-selling Latin artist of 1990 and helped paved the way for Latina women in music today. When news broke in 1994 that she had been murdered, the world was blown away; such a huge star had snuffed out so early.
Selena’s death was a tragedy, especially since she was on the road to being one of the greatest artists of all time. Many believe she would have continued performing, winning countless awards. Even today, she’s Tejano music’s greatest icon, so that isn’t a far jump. Maybe she would even become a mentor to newer stars. However, there is one thing many experts agree on: she would’ve been a mother and a wonderful one at that.
Okay, so. Heath Ledger wouldn’t be 70 today. He would actually be close to his 40s, but we wanted to include him since we’ll never see Heath Ledger grow old. This Australian actor started acting at 16, and by 1999, he became a Hollywood heartthrob following 10 Things I Hate About You. Heath Ledger passed away in 2008 at 28.
Heath Ledger certainly looks like a sweet old man, right? This would be far in the future, of course. Anyone who met Heath Ledger loved him, and he was a phenomenal actor. Ledger would have gone on to win many awards, but we could see him eventually moving behind the camera to be a director and producer. He loved all things film, so we’re guessing he would grow to be a lot like Clint Eastwood is today.
Judy Garland’s legacy has stuck around for ages, especially considering many of us watch the Wizard of Oz at least once a year. She started performing at the age of two and a half and continued doing so until 1963. Sadly, she passed away in 1969 at the age of 47.
Where would rock music be today if it wasn’t for Buddy Holly? When he hit the scene, he showed that rock and roll could be much more. His lyrics were poetic, and his chords were new. Holly departed from the “formula,” which we’d all gotten bored with. Then on February 3, 1959, Buddy Holly died (along with Ritchie Valens and J.P. Richardson) in a plane crash, and the day became known as The Day the Music Died.
Jim Morrison, the lead singer of The Doors, was a loose cannon who loved alcohol as much as he loved poetry. He never wanted to be a rock star, but he thought it was the only way he’d get his word out to the masses. He passed away in 1971 at the age of 27 from cardiac arrest, but many believe he faked his death so he could exit the spotlight and live like the poet he always wanted to be.
It’s hard to see Jim Morrison living to see such an old age, but it’s possible. Had he not drank as much and abused himself as he did, this is what he would’ve looked like. Jim Morrison could have even gone on to be the poet he always wanted to be, emulating those he loved most like William Blake. It was, after all, his dream to be known as a prophetic poet rather than a beautiful rock star.
Sid Vicious wasn’t always as “vicious” as his name made it seem. Many close to him claim he was kind and nice, even going as far as to call him a “marshmallow.” Once he got the name “vicious,” he felt he had to live up to it and became beyond self-destructive. This lifestyle ended with him dying of an overdose while under investigation for a murder charge of his girlfriend, Nancy.
We doubt Sid Vicious would’ve lived long enough to get wrinkles even if he didn’t pass away from an overdose at the age of 21. However, we can guess, right? The years of substance abuse would’ve taken a heavy toll, but we could see him performing in music for many, many years. Since he died so young, it’s hard to imagine where he’d be.
Before she was known as Marilyn Monroe, Norma Jeane Mortenson was just a regular girl from Los Angeles. She spent most of her time in foster homes and orphanages, but she eventually grew up to become an icon of beauty and style. While she died of an overdose, rumors of her death still circulate today, some claiming JFK murdered her.
Most models don’t last long in the spotlight as they grow older. Monroe likely would have moved on from being a mere model and would focus on becoming one of the greatest actresses of her generation. It wouldn’t be a big jump, especially since some directors said that she was a great actress – all she needed was a bit of direction.
