Elvis Returns!

In March 1960, Elvis Presley came marching home from a stint in the U.S. Army. His first TV appearance in three years was ABC-TV‘s Frank Sinatra Timex Show: Welcome Home Elvis special. Elvis sang for 8 minutes and he was reportedly paid $125,000 (just over $1 million today).

Sinatra was 44 at the time, Elvis was 25. Together on television they represented the greatest music idols of two generations. It was quite a show. The sideburns were gone and Elvis was behaving more sedately. This appearance with Sinatra was his first major test of just how well he was going to resume his career. The taping took place in the Grand Ballroom of the Fontainebleau Miami Beach. Elvis introduced his new single “Stuck On You”, which had already hit number one.

Elvis and Frank teamed up on a salute to their own hits. Elvis sang Frank’s hit “Witchcraft” and Frank sang “Love Me Tender”. The show was a landmark. The singers sang, the girls screamed and the whole music world watched. Elvis had not lost his magic and went on to become an even bigger legend than he had been before entering the service. Elvis’ return heralded a major shift in the rock world.

After Elvis’ death in 1977 Sinatra said, “There have been many accolades uttered about Elvis’ talent and performances through the years, all of which I agree with wholeheartedly. I shall miss him dearly as a friend. He was a warm, considerate and generous man.” #TBT