Liberace: the King of Pianos

Liberace, the king of pianos, was the most famous, and infamous, piano player that world has seen so far. This flamboyant King of Pianos actually came from a humble background, which is so unlike his usual air of grace, elegance and sophistication. He came upon a tremendous wealth and fortune because of his talent and passion.

Liberace's father was an Italian and his mother Polish. Much before he became famous for playing his mirrored or jewel encrusted pianos,Liberace was born in West Allis, Wisconsin. The family had background in music, his father Salvatore Liberace played the French horn in the Milwaukee Philharmonic. His mother, Frances Liberace played the piano. His two other siblings also had musical talent. Walter Valentino Liberace grew up watching and listening to his parents playing their musical instruments but ultimately he showed his liking for piano.

A family friend visited the Liberace home and offered young Walter a scholarship to the College of Music in Wisconsin. Liberace happily accepted the scholarship and went on to study at the collage as well as privately with Florence Bettray Kelly, once considered a protégé of the legendary Moritz Rosenthal. At the tender age of 14, Liberace completed his classical training and made his solo debut at the Chicago Symphony.

He took the night club route and performed at some of the most famous clubs in the country like the Persian Room at the renowned Plaza Hotel in New York City. He preferred to be known by his last name only and started appearing with the gold cadelbra which ultimately became his trademark. Another seven years later he was playing his infamous piano having already returned a star.

Liberace became a part of Hollywood in the 1950s and started being a part of movie production. He was later offered a part in a television series and won two Emmy awards for his efforts. It proved to be a big hit all over the world both on television and radio. His television engagements however did not prevent him from performing and he gave house full performances in Carnegie Hall and Madison Square Garden.

He performed to full houses in Australia and Europe, touring all over the world in the 1960s and 1970s. He also started work on his autobiography and his now famous cookbook "Liberace Cooks". He always worked for charitable causes and set up the Liberace Foundation to provide scholarships for talented individuals in Performing and Creative Arts. He got Contemporary Keyboard Magazine's "Pop Keyboard Artist of the Year" award for three consecutive years and also set up his own Las Vegas museum.

In the 1980s, Liberace continued to enthrall audiences all over the world. He played the nominated songs flawlessly at the 1982 Academy Awards. He also traveled tirelessly, bringing fans at venues like Radio City Music Hall.

He left this world on his heavenly abode just before his 68th birthday. No one has since played his rhinestone encrusted pianos. The world awaits some one as talented as liberace, doubting whether there would be any one at all.

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