By far the most famous, and infamous, piano player that ever lived was the flamboyant Liberace. This King of Pianos came from a humble background to be behind a tremendous wealth and fortune. From this youth to his old age, Liberace kept an air of grace, exuberance, and sophistication about him wherever he went.



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.

He was offered a scholarship to the College of Music in Wisconsin by a family friend who visited their home and was impressed by his sheer talent. Liberlace grabbed the offer and studied at the college. He also received private tutions from Florence Bettray Kelly, who was known as the protege of celebrated Moritz Rosenthal. He finished his classical training at an early age of fourteen years and went on to give his solo debut performance 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 play pianos before the world, including at the 1982 Academy Awards where the flamboyant pianist performed the nominated songs flawlessly. He also traveled tirelessly, continuing to bring in the 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.