It is one of the most famous early TV appearances and on Sept. 9, 1956, Elvis "The Pelvis" Presley appeared for the first time on a historic episode of the Ed Sullivan Show. It has become the stuff of legend over the years. But neither Presley nor Sullivan were actually at the theatre when it happened. 

Presley was appearing via a rare remote for those days from Hollywood. And Sullivan was MIA because he'd been in a serious car crash a week earlier that nearly killed him. Instead the show was hosted by actor Charles Laughton. Which means the host wasn't on his own program when it became the most watched TV show of the 50s. 

Sullivan paid a small fortune for that rating, but he could have saved a lot of money if he'd taken advantage of Elvis' growing popularity before his fame exploded. 

"Sullivan had previously declined an opportunity to book Presley for $5,000. After the singer delivered strong ratings for rival programs, Sullivan and Presley’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker, struck a $50,000 deal for three appearances—the highest amount paid to a television performer at the time."

70 Years Ago Today: Elvis Presley Turned a Rejection Into One of TV’s ‘Greatest Moments’