Another obvious nod in Martin's direction, released when Elvis was well established as a pop mega-star in the summer of 1959, was Elvis's "My Wish Came True," which had an opening four-note motif identical to Martin's "Return To Me," (both titles having four syllables!) released in April 1958. Even the key is the same. Dean Martin and Elvis Presley were moving in such divergent paths by this time that none of this was commented upon or even noticed at the time.

Elvis was naturally fair-haired. He dyed his hair black. Filmed later in Technicolor, Elvis's obsidian do had that same almost blue-black sheen you can see in Dean Martin's movies. And Martin at the time of which we speak was the most bankable of matinee idols: he made hugely successful pop records; starred with partner Jerry Lewis in a series of low budget/high yield light comedy movies; could and did write his own ticket on the lucrative Las Vegas circuit; and importantly for Elvis had macho sex appeal.

One night, Elvis glimpses his hero in the audience during his show at the International in Vegas in January 1970. Seeing him at ringside Elvis sang 'Everybody Loves Somebody' in his honour. This is the same guy who worried about forgetting the lyrics to his own hits but was confident enough in remembering his idol's latest hit to give an impromptu performance of it.

Elvis recorded many other songs earlier sung by Dino. "I’ll Hold You In My Heart", "I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry" and "Welcome To My World" are several. "Crying Time" was a Dino song Elvis often sang while relaxing with his band and singers while both men would later record classics including Tom Jones’, "Green Green Grass Of Home", Engelbert Humperdink’s, "Release Me" and Glen Campbell’s, "Gentle On My Mind".

Dino’s influence on Elvis extended past music. When he became famous Elvis also bought his ‘britches’ from Dino’s tailor, Sy Devore, although in defference to Elvis he wore his differently. The paths of Elvis and Dino crossed several times from the 1950s to the 1970s. In their 1956 buddy movie, "Hollywood or Bust" Martin and Jerry Lewis are seen driving into Las Vegas with a large sign indicating Elvis’ appearance at The Frontier Hotel. For the first Dean Martin Show TV Special Dean had wanted Elvis to guest star but not surprisingly baulked at the Colonel’s asking price of $75,000 - a veritable fortune in the 1950s. During Elvis' hibernation from live performing in the 60s Elvis apparently used to drive past Dino’s Bel Air mansion on his motorcycle, never summoning up the courage to go in.

Elvis had heard that Dino golfed regularly at the Bel Air Country Club, so although Presley had never golfed he began staying in a house right on the links. One morning Presley spotted Dino getting ready to tee off. Just as Dean was about to swing, Presley waved to him; yelling, ‘Hey Dean! Hey Dean, it’s Elvis!” After Dino hit the ball he waved back to Presley. Jerry Schilling, best friend of Presley, warned him that interrupting someone just before they are ready to swing is bad golf etiquette. Presley didn’t take it well, and disappeared in his house,. He stayed indoors for the next 3 days because he was so embarrassed repeating to himself, “I don’t know about golf. I just wanted to say hello”. Dino later remarked to his son Ricci how great it was that Presley would say hello, and wasn’t bothered by him interrupting him.