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Date: | Sun, 2 Jul 2000 19:37:32 -0700 |
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Jeremey McMillan wrote:
>And Liberace- Who was he? I've heard a lot about him being an entertainer
>and all, but I don't recall ever seeing a picture of him or anything.
Ah to be young again.
Liberace was a flamboyant pianist, who wore outlasnist outfits, mink,
sequins, robes, and the like. He was a great showman who thought of
himself as the modern Liszt as far as his piano style and his ability to
entertain audiences. He was a classically trained pianist and very good
for his sphere. I don't understand how he could play so fast with the
several large rings he wore - at least two on each hand. He usually played
arrangements of popular and classical music. He made a jokes about his
outlandish dress and was all in all a great entertainer and a fine human
being with many friends. On hearing from his doctor that he was going to
die, he gave away his fortune, which was immense - many expensive cars, etc
- to his fiends. Then he found out that the doctor was wrong and he lived
another decade or so. He played Las Vegas to standing room only crowds,
and played Carnigue Hall. He is the only pianist to play chop sticks to a
Carnigue Hall audience (a great set of variations on chop sticks). I liked
him and he was the inspiration for many children to study the piano. Many
mothers wanted their son to become another Liberace. He often had the
sensationalism approaching that of the Beatles wherever he went at least
at showtime in Las Vegas. I'm sure there is a website on him somewhere.
Bill Pirkle
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