Vladzi Valentino Liberace is a singer, pianist. He went down in history as the most sought-after American artist. Some considered him a genius, others perceived him with sarcasm, but all agreed on one thing - Liberace is a unique personality.
Biography
Early Liberace period
Vladzi Valentino Liberace has a unique life path. He achieved luxury and chic, while he was born into a poor family of musicians, May 16, 1919, in Wisconsin. Liberace had a setra and a brother. As for the latter, some sources put forward a version about the death of the boy in infancy. In a number of publications, such facts are refuted. Vladzi's father played in a military band. Mother was a pianist.
The future artist began playing the piano at the age of 3. At 4, he knew by heart the most difficult pieces of music. Dad taught the boy to read and write. The wife did not mind, although the husband turned out to be a strict mentor.
A significant role in the life of Liberace was played by the Polish pianist Ignacy Jan Paderewski. For many, this was an unattainable person, but he treated Wladzi with special affection. I saw talent in him. It was Ignatius who recommended the young talent to enter the music conservatory of his native state. Vladzi Valentino followed the advice. There he was educated. At the same time he attended private lessons.
Creativity and career
In addition to music, the artist was fond of fine arts and design. He created extraordinary images that were hard not to pay attention to. The first appearance on the stage as a soloist took place when the guy was 20 years old. Then he performed with one of the best symphony orchestras.
The most iconic show took place in 1940 in New York. Liberace played his own piano. It was many times larger than other similar instruments and was decorated with a candlestick. It was the original candelabrum that later became the artist's hallmark. Career took off and Liberace got rid of his first two names.
He was famous for his various creative roles, but the virtuoso technique of playing the piano brought him world fame, which was always complemented by a unique stage image.
The musician's film debut took place in 1950. It was the film "Sinner of the South Sea". Liberace played a pianist playing in a bar. After a while, the famous producer Don Federson drew attention to Liberace, invited him to television. There was more work and the artist liked it. With the participation of the star on TV in Los Angeles, a program began to appear. The show quickly gained popularity. For a unique method of communicating live with the audience, the artist was awarded an Emmy Award.
In 1953, performing at Carnegie Hall, Liberace broke Paderewski's record for attendance at a concert of 17,000. Later, in the Los Angeles Hollywood Bowl, this figure rose to 20 thousand. It reached the 110 thousand threshold for a show in Chicago.
In 1955, in Las Vegas, he became the highest paid entertainer in the history of the state. This was followed by filming a movie. After 5 years, he returned to daytime television.
In 1968 he had a successful performance in front of a London audience, and later in front of an Australian one.
In 1972, Liberace wrote his autobiography. This was his second book. The first, was reprinted 7 times - "Liberace Cooks".
In 1976, the third book, What I Love, was published. Over the next 3 years, one of the most influential publications in the magazine market, named the pianist "Keyboardist of the Year". This was followed by another return to television.
In 1980, in Las Vegas, Liberace was awarded the titles: "Star of the Year", "Person of the Year".
A year later, the Golden Microphone award was added to the list of the artist's awards.
1984: A record meeting of the musician with the audience is organized at the Radio City Music Hall in New York. Over 80 thousand people came to see the musician.
After 2 years, the pianist organized a tour in support of the fourth book. This time, it was titled "The Lovely Private Life of Liberace."
1950 became intense for the performer, but successful. He managed to win a legal battle against the tabloid The Daily Mirror, which fueled rumors about the pianist's homosexuality. He was indeed gay and was in a relationship with Scott Thorson, but the partners preferred to hide their true personal life.
Contribution to cinematography
The first experience in the cinema did not give a big role. In the drama "Sinner of the South Sea" Liberace played in episodes.
In 1951, he announced himself in a vaudeville film. And in 1953 and in the sequel "Merry Mirthquakes".
Two years later, at the peak of his career, the pianist was given a serious role in the remake of the film "The Man Who Played God" - "Yours Sincerely." Liberace got used to the role of a pianist who has lost his hearing, helping people.
The picture was advertised as much as possible. Announcements were met at every pillar. The name Liberace was spelled out on the posters much larger than the name of the film itself, but failure followed. The pianist failed to give the audience what they expected - his eccentric style.
The names of other actors appeared in new posters near Liberace. Later, in Seattle, the list of star names was updated again. Under the name of the movie, in smaller letters was the inscription "at the piano Liberace".
After the failure of the first part of the picture, the contract for filming the second part was canceled. Liberace was shocked and abandoned the dream of continuing his film career. Later he starred only in episodes - he played himself and the seller of boxes. This time, the audience appreciated his work.
At the end of a life's journey
Since 1980, the artist begins to have health problems. The weight is rapidly decreasing, the state of health becomes worse. He felt bad, but he rarely complained. He pretended that nothing was happening. When the condition was close to critical, Liberace sought medical attention at the Eisenhower Center, Rancho Mirage.
The announcement of the hospitalization became known to the press and later to the entire public. Rumors about the musician's illness with AIDS were confirmed. On February 4, 1987, the pianist died of heart failure, acute encephalopathy, and aplastic anemia. In the last minutes, his sister and her friends were next to him.
An entire era of American culture is gone from Liberace. The famous artist is buried in a cemetery in the Hollywood Hills.
