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Liberace
Liberace 8 Allan Warren.jpg
Liberace in 1968
Background information
Birth name Władziu Valentino Liberace
Also known as Walter Busterkeys
Walter Liberace
Lee
The Glitter Man
Mr. Showmanship
The King of Bling
Born (1919-05-16)May 16, 1919
West Allis, Wisconsin, U.S.
Died February 4, 1987(1987-02-04) (aged 67)
Palm Springs, California, U.S.
Genres Easy listening
Occupation(s) Pianist, entertainer, actor
Instruments Piano, vocals
Years active 1936–1986
Labels Columbia (US)
Dot (US)
Associated acts George Liberace, Ignacy Jan Paderewski
Liberace Colour Allan Warren
Liberace in 1974

Władziu (or Vladziu) Valentino Liberace (May 16, 1919 – February 4, 1987), best known as Liberace, was an American pianist and vocalist of Polish-Italian origin.

Liberace's career lasted four decades. It included concerts, recordings, movies, television and endorsements. During the 1950s–1970s he was the highest-paid entertainer in the world. He lived a life of flamboyant excess both on and off the stage.

Records

The success of Liberace's syndicated television program made him a popular recording artist. From 1947-51, he released 10 albums. By 1954, it jumped to nearly 70. He released several recordings through Columbia Records, including Liberace by Candlelight. He sold over 400,000 albums by 1954. His most popular single was "Ave Maria", selling over 300,000 copies.

His albums included popular songs at the time, such as "Hello, Dolly!". He also played his versions of classical music composed by Chopin and Liszt. Many fans of classical music criticized them (and Liberace's skills as a pianist in general) for being "pure fluff with minimal musicianship". In his life, he received six gold records.

Personal life and death

Liberace was born on May 16, 1919 in West Allis, Wisconsin.

He died on February 4, 1987 in Palm Springs, California, aged 67.

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