It's strange to think about what some of music's great icons would have been like had they not been taken from us too soon. What would Kurt Cobain's new album sound like in 2010? How would we treat Jimi Hendrix today? How would Brad Nowell's career have advanced? Which producers would Tupac and Biggie Smalls be working with today? It's a fascinating game of "What If?" that ultimately has no resolution (which is part of what makes it so tragic and frustrating).
Had John Lennon not been taken from the world far too soon on a cold day in the winter of 1980, the former Beatle would have celebrated his 70th birthday on Saturday (October 9). Lennon's legacy was already set in stone by the time of his passing, as both his work with the Beatles and his solo projects produced some of the greatest musical moments in the history of rock and roll. But to only think about Lennon as a musician is a mistake, as he was also deeply involved in the worlds of art, literature, politics and television, lending his insightful perspective on the universe (as well as his celebrity) to all of the above venues. He was a singular icon who established what it was to be a worldly rock star, and he has never been (nor will he ever be) replaced.
But just because one person can't fill his shoes doesn't mean that his legacy can't be carried on by a small army of people. In fact, there are 10 current music stars who embody one segment or another of Lennon's personality.
Inspiring Teenage Lunacy: Justin Bieber
Though most people remember Lennon for the socially aware latter part of his life, he spent the better part of his early career as a teen icon. The term "Beatlemania" was an accurate creation — there was actual madness when the Fab Four were around. That same kind of excitement follows around Justin Bieber today.
Making Music A Family Business: Jay-Z
She didn't actually break up the Beatles, but Yoko Ono did become a star in her own right when she married Lennon. While Beyoncé was already a massive superstar before she married Jay-Z, they still represent the music world's definitive power couple in the current pop landscape.
Trading Art For Politics: Lady Gaga
Lennon was passionate about a number of social and political issues, and were he still alive today, you would have to assume that he would have been at Lady Gaga's side trying to get "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" taken off the books.
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Following in the footsteps of other rock-and-roll luminaries such as 
