Story highlights Elvis Presley would have turned 80 years old this week

A new website featuring his music and Spotify playlists helping fans celebrate

Biographer believes Elvis would have returned to gospel music had he lived

(CNN) In 1992, the U.S. Postal Service had a vote to determine which image of Elvis Presley should go on a stamp: a rendering of the youthful, late '50s King or the beefier, early-'70s version.

The runaway victor was Young Elvis . It remains one of the most popular stamps of all time.

But these days, it seems like '70s Elvis -- also known as "Fat Elvis" -- was the ultimate winner, with common perceptions of the singer focused on the glittery, jumpsuited performer who became the template for a thousand Vegas impersonators: a self-parody.

That's a shame, because the music of Elvis Aron Presley -- who would have turned 80 on Thursday -- remains as raw, direct and immediate as ever.

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