Elvis lives longer

Depends on if he gets off the drugs and gets his head straight first. As it was he had steadily declined as a performer and a recording artist by the time of his death. So something would have to happen to get him clean. If he does get clean he can continue to have a successful career as a performer and a recording artist with his signature blend of rock, country, blues and gospel but I don't think music itself would be radically different.

Not dying suddenly and unexpectedly as OTL would remove some of the mystique around Elvis. Graceland wouldn't be the shrine it is today and his elderly period might look a lot like Johnny Cash's where he's widely respected in the industry but not really a major cultural force until his death or a Hollywood biopic causes a reevaluation by a new generation.
 
He would probably have gone entirely Country, MAYBE a synth-pop or New Wave album to try to "fit it" or get MTV airplay, but it would likely be a disaster. No way he could get his old rock audience back, most rock fans by 1977 were listening to stuff like Kiss or the Rolling Stones. Although I did read that he was a huge Led Zeppelin fan, if we can butterfly away John Bonham's death as well we could have had one heck of a great collaboration.
 
Elvis living to 80 basically predicates that he kick the drugs and improve his unhealthy lifestyle. The best way for this to happen would perhaps become a born again Christian. Elvis was already fairly religious but concern from his family leading to an intervention would be the perfect combo.

Elvis would have some difficulty remaining a top cultural force though. His audience was aging already, so as said he'd probably experiment with country, do more gospel extra. Would still be a highly respected figure in the industry though.
 
Elvis living to 80 basically predicates that he kick the drugs and improve his unhealthy lifestyle. The best way for this to happen would perhaps become a born again Christian. Elvis was already fairly religious but concern from his family leading to an intervention would be the perfect combo.

Elvis would have some difficulty remaining a top cultural force though. His audience was aging already, so as said he'd probably experiment with country, do more gospel extra. Would still be a highly respected figure in the industry though.

Might Elvis go totally into gospel music?
 
if elvis kicks the drug habit .. hey who knows.. but he wasn't going where music was going mainstream wise
Rock was getting harder
pop was getting synthy.. but he might be able to deal with that.. but the age of the boy bands he would be an old foggie

so country is where he would go and vegas.. and become the first candidate for the just say no campaign ;)
 
Might Elvis go totally into gospel music?

He'd probably release a few totally all gospel albums immediately after getting clean but I don't think he'd ever totally abandon rock, Elvis legitimately loved rock.

Would ATL Elvis have collaborated with Michael Jackson?

Well Jackson was a massive fan of Elvis so he'd certainly jump at the chance and Elvis would be a fool to turn it down as it would be far the best way to return to the top of pop cultural considering.
 
I think you’d need a POD late ‘76 at the latest. His health might still have been recoverable at that point and he was still releasing popular stuff - particularly country (as stated above), but he successfully tried his hand at soul (Hurt reached no.7 in the Billboard Easy Listening charts according to Wiki). Perhaps a health scare and a more hand-on intervention might have saved him.

I can see a period of rest and recuperation (maybe rehab?) before an early 80s come back attempt. A prudent move would be a collaboration album - You’d get a few modern types (Michael Jackson already mentioned), plus some others, maybe even the Stones or something left-field like Paul McCartney or John Lennon (pre-assassination, of course...).
 

oberdada

Gone Fishin'
My favourite pod for Elvis living longer still is him becoming a patient of Dr. Eugene Landy. Call me evil, but it is.
 
One really good POD would be Elvis finally firing the Colonel and then sue him for mismanagement and embezzling of his finances. Also, he finally is able to tour overseas and even have a solid film career as a good dramatic actor. One good start would be having the co-lead alongside Streisand in her remake of A Star is Born.
 
Just a though, Maybe Elvis could have joined the Highwaymen (although a 5 man supergroup is a bit too much). Is there a chance he could have been part of We Are the World as well?
 
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Elvis could make a comeback on Seventies TV. I could see him appearing on “The Love Boat”. Elvis could also do Sha Na Na. He could contribute a new song to the soundtrack for “Urban Cowboy” and perhaps appear in that movie. A cameo spot in “The Blues Brothers” is a must.
In the Early Eighties there was a rockabilly revival with the Stray Cats. Elvis could cash in on that.
 
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