ICON

An ever-present symbol of Las Vegas in its prime, the late, legendary American pianist Liberace known to his friends as Lee was the epitome of showmanship. On stage with ornate candelabra adorning his usually white grand piano, the classically trained pianist who was a prodigy at age four never relented from giving his audiences what they deserved. A bit corny at times while maintaining the glitz, glamour and sheen of a rather flamboyant performer, Liberace was larger than life while at the keyboard, making grand hand gestures whether playing classical pieces or pop hits for the masses and all interspersed with wisecracks and juvenile humor among the spectacle that was constant. TV in the 1950s put him over the top and into households nationwide, with adult viewers getting a dose of glamour the likes of which they d never seen before.
But at the root of all of this exotic schtick was his versatile piano playing a style he could certainly call his very own and one that he regularly exposed to presidents and kings, movie stars and queens, and the hordes of Las Vegas visitors and record buyers who adored him. From the pop hit of the day to the classical piece from yesteryear, Liberace could most comfortably and confidently play them all.