On this day in 1960, The Frank Sinatra Timex Show: Welcome Home Elvis was broadcast in the US

Sinatra had been sponsored by Timex to make a series of four shows, and after the first three achieved only mediocre ratings, it was decided that something different was needed for the fourth. The decision was made for the final program to be dedicated to Elvis Presley, freshly returned from service in the US Army.

A special budget was allocated to pay Elvis’ then unheard of fee of $125,000 for what would be his first TV appearance since his return, with an agreed performance of two songs. Sinatra was reportedly unhappy with this fee as it eclipsed his own earnings, but accepted anyway as he knew the appearance would bring in viewers and ratings.

Despite rumours of a feud between the pair, they had nothing but good things to say about each other on the day, and even joined each others performances, with Elvis helping out on Sinatra’s Witchcraft and Sinatra joining Love Me Tender. The show improved upon its low ratings with the special and reviews were largely positive. Despite this, the covered songs would not be released on record until the 1980s