Private Memorabilia & Collectibles

First published in 1986 and republished as 2nd edition in September 30, 2003 by Turner Publishing Company (KY), The Private World of Liberace is a 224 pages autobiography book that tells the life of Wladiziu Valentino Liberace or simply known as Liberace who became one of the world's greatest pianist and entertainers while living an extravagant lifestyle.   

Liberace was born on May 16, 1919 from an immigrant couple from Italy with a caul which was taken as a sign of genius and an exceptional future. A gifted classical pianist, Liberace started playing the piano at four and at the age of 17, he was already playing with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. With great determination, showmanship and incredible talent, he achieved his dream of being the world’s highest paid performer.

Liberace...   more

First published in 1986 and republished as 2nd edition in September 30, 2003 by Turner Publishing Company (KY), The Private World of Liberace is a 224 pages autobiography book that tells the life of Wladiziu Valentino Liberace or simply known as Liberace who became one of the world's greatest pianist and entertainers while living an extravagant lifestyle.   

Liberace was born on May 16, 1919 from an immigrant couple from Italy with a caul which was taken as a sign of genius and an exceptional future. A gifted classical pianist, Liberace started playing the piano at four and at the age of 17, he was already playing with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. With great determination, showmanship and incredible talent, he achieved his dream of being the world’s highest paid performer.

Liberace made his first appearance in Las Vegas in 1944 which was noticed immediately by Variety magazine and asserts that he looked like a mix of Carey Grant and Robert Alda. In 1947, he moved to California and began performing at local clubs and for Hollywood stars such as Rosalind Russell, Clark Gable, Gloria Swanson and Shirley Temple.

 

Liberace was disappointed in his early guest appearance on some television shows and was discontented with the frenzied camera work and short appearances and soon wanted his own show where he could control his presentation. And so, the Liberace show began in 1952.

 

Considered as one of the most popular variety show in the 1950’s with over 35 million viewers at its peak, the Liberace show featured singing and playing piano from pieces of Chopin to Tin Pan Alley with great passion and humor. Through the 1960’s, Liberace continued on television with frequent appearances and welcome guest on different shows with some notable names like Muhammad Ali and Johnny Carson. This pianist’s versatile style and virtuosity, from classical to pop, country to boogie, truly made him as one of the most extraordinary and successful musical performer of all time.

 

But behind his wealth and lavish lifestyle, Liberace became a captive of his complex double life. His attempts to keep his gay private life secret resulted in a series of public scandals and lawsuits. As a chain smoker, Liberace suffered from advanced emphysema and heart disease, and died of complications from AIDS at 2:05 PM on February 4, 1987.