Liberace’s home was glamorously decorated and had a piano shaped swimming pool. (Photo courtesy of Pictorial Press Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo)
LIBERACE: T H E G R E AT S H O W M A N O F S I N C I T Y by
TE R RY PA R R E T T
“See, Johnny, we figure that entertainment
thought that anything that would keep
the casino. And we hope you’ll sign a contract
on profits. It wasn’t until the early 1950s
will be a big factor in drawing gamblers to
to appear five times a year. Perhaps convince
some of your friends in movies to do the same.
We’re counting on you…” Michael Corleone to Johnny Fontane, “The Godfather”.
players off the casino floor was a drag when casinos realized that offering
headline entertainment would be a terrific way to bring in guests who might not
be inclined to frequent a casino. It was
single name, Liberace. Liberace, also known as “Lee” to his friends, and “Walter” to his family,
was born in 1919. By the age of 4, he
had already begun to demonstrate an
unmistakable gift for the piano. Happily, young Walter had been born to parents
While Las Vegas and entertainment may
hoped that these guests, once in the door,
the case. From the legalization of casino
and a new gambler would be born. Of
father Salvatore (also known as Sam)
1950s, entertainment was treated by the
stage, perhaps no one transformed the
find paying gigs, and his mother Frances
a reason for visiting. Casino managers
more than “Mr. Showmanship”, Wladziu
marrying. Unfortunately, challenging
who were also talented musically- his
be inseparable today, this wasn’t always
would end up out on the gaming floor,
gambling in 1931, through the early
all the entertainers who graced a Vegas
played the French Horn when he could
casinos as more of an afterthought than
entire concept of Las Vegas entertainment
had been a concert pianist prior to
Valentino Liberace, known better by a
financial times didn’t allow the family
with an eye on the bottom line initially 4
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