On this day in 1987 Liberace went to that great diamond-studded, fur lined Cadillac in the sky. You young folk may not hear the word “flamboyant” much these days, but this gentleman was the textbook definition. Wisconsin claims him as its own since he was born in West Allis and, as you can see, he also did a few years in Sheboygan
On January 16, 1940 the Milwaukee Journal reported on his debut with the Chicago Symphony at Milwaukee’s Pabst Theater. It appears that it took a while to develop his signature style:
“Walter Liberace, a member of the excellent group of young Milwaukee pianists … was heard Monday night at the Pabst as soloist with the Chicago Symphony orchestra. . . .
“Mr. Liberace, a strikingly good looking young man with a most engaging personality, had won the honor of an appearance with the orchestra in a local competition . . . The young artist was at no time in difficulty, but it was apparent that he was proceeding with infinite care, and the swaggering approach that goes so well with Liszt (Liberace had chosen to play Liszt’s Second Concerto in A) was somewhat missed.”
Liberace on LP at the Mudd. And, as you would expect, there is a Liberace Museum in Las Vegas.