With his trademark candelabra resting atop his piano, Liberace played with great ease and glee. Viewers-35 million of them at the program's height-couldn't get enough of Liberace's piano prowess and his cherubic charms. The musical program first aired locally in Los Angeles before going national a few years later. His real career breakthrough, however, came in 1951 with the premiere of The Liberace Show. Before long Liberace found some success in mixing his love of classical music with more contemporary tunes. He even adopted the stage name "Walter Busterkeys" for a time. To make a living, Liberace played in movie theaters and night clubs. Liberace started performing with orchestras in his early teens. A child prodigy, he began his studies at the Wisconsin College of Music when he was only seven years old. Little did she know that her son would develop a devoted following of his own one day.īoth of Liberace's parents were interested in music, and he began piano lessons very early on in his life. Liberace was born Wladziu Valentino Liberace on May 16, 1919, in West Allis, Wisconsin, his middle name was taken from one of his mother's favorite film stars-Rudolph Valentino. In later years he performed frequently in Las Vegas. With his unique blend of classical training and over-the-top showmanship, Liberace was one of the most famous performers of the 20th century. Very successful, he hosted his own TV variety series, The Liberace Show (1952–55, 1969), and appeared in films such as Sincerely Yours (1955). He later began giving concerts in flamboyant costumes with ornate pianos and candelabra, playing primarily popular music. Liberace appeared as a soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at age 16.
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