Liberace facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Liberace
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Liberace in 1968
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| 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 | May 16, 1919 West Allis, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Died | February 4, 1987 (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 |
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.
Images for kids
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Liberace's early-1980s Christmas costume, worn at the Las Vegas Hilton and Radio City Music Hall: Designed by Michael Travis, with fur design by Anna Nateece, the costume was one of many at the Liberace Museum.
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Liberace with actress Maureen O'Hara during a court hearing in 1957
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Liberace performing in 1983
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The Liberace Museum, Las Vegas, 2003
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Liberace in 1968
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Liberace's tomb at Forest Lawn
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A Liberace pop-up exhibition at the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas
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