When I was kid, I always wondered why he was so rich and famous. Now I see why. This performance is off the charts! And he makes it look so easy by smiling and winking at the camera. At one point, Liberace was the highest paid entertainer in the world -- this proves exactly why. Mad skills!!!
Bobbie LaVanway He was an outstanding performer, how to-captivate an audience and even involve them as well. I remember watching him on the t.v.when I was a kid! He drew people in who were there in the studio and also people at home .his outstanding talent and captivating personality not to mention his genius made him a super star then , and I believe he would have commanded the very same accolades in whatever era that he played!
@@Discrimination_is_not_a_right some people are too eager to attribute genius. Some people are too reluctant. I'm not sober enough to pass judgment either way. Skittles.
"I thought Liberace was great. That guy was smiling while playing his can off, and he wasn’t missing. And all those rings on his fingers didn’t impair anything. He wasn’t playing simple stuff, but he made it look so simple." -Allen Toussaint, Keyboard Magazine, Nov. 12, 2015
Technically Jack Fina owned the song (ua-cam.com/video/PDl5ZHu35q8/v-deo.html). As good as it was, Liberace played it too fast and didn't play several of the other intricate parts in this performance.
@@davevaebutuoy YEH! But one could Argue That this guy read no Music what so ever, Witch makes him The Most Shit hot Piano player That ever lived, Have you ever seen anyone else So Amazing That couldn't read a note of music. He could play any tune you asked him to and he could play it. You take a trained Piano players Music away from him That can only read music, Could they play like this. I rest my case Buddy. I can play, and i don't read Music, And i can play fast, But My god, His fingers were nearly on fire he was playing that Quick. That makes him Very Unique Indeed.
He defintely could have become a virtuoso; he was outplaying his piano teacher when he was only eight years old. He was also a guest soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra when he was 19 or 20. But he learned early on that he could get laughs during his performances and he delighted in engaging his audience. He loved making people happy, a natural born entertainer.
He was a virtuoso, full stop! He brought classical piano to people who would never have heard of it otherwise, and introduced an older generation to pop.
My mother ADORED him - especially when he winked at the camera!! I believe she thought he was winking exclusively at her!! S-m-i-l-e. Happy memories before we knew everyone's lifestyles and personal business!!!
I think Liberace's 'flamboyant' personality made him such a natural for mass media entertainment - engaging, funny, warm. But he was supremely talented with the keyboard, made it look easy. So brilliant.
His talent and speed and dexterity were just half of it. Others on UA-cam have those. It was his charisma, his presence, the showmanship, the smile, the arms raised at the end, the voice when talking to the audience that made him unique, that made Liberace a superstar, a spectacle not only of sound, but of sight.
Philo68 on the road, very generous with his crew... my friend ran lights for his show in the early '70's... if he liked the work he would get a $200.00 tip/show.... that was a week's pay back then!
I once saw him at the London Palladium. He was on stage for over an hour and he kept the audience spellbound for all that time. Not just a phenominally gifted musician but a true entertainer and showman.
Always loved his playing in any style, but when I think of the Bumble Boogie, I always think of him and those old shows. He was always a perfect gentleman and knew how to connect with people.
+spideraxis YES ! His beautiful smile, could melt my soul. It seems God takes something away from someone...and gives a great talent in return.Such a mystery.
Is smile is like a good drug. It's so INFECTIOUS!!!!!!!😁 He was an extremely talented man. Even professional concert pianists pale in comparison. PALE!!!! Liberace also seemed like the most generous and sincerest nice person, too. He also seemed genuinely humbled by his fame and talent. Liberace was a showman, not a show off.
Great music and he was fun to watch too. My daughter used to pretend she was playing and immitated him down to his "Thank you, Thank you." with that big smile on his face.
I tried to explain how good his guy was to my friends but couldn't find a word to give him justice,so I showed the video and his jaw is still on the floor right along side of mine. HAS HE EVER MADE A MISTAKE OR MISSED A KEY ? He does not even break a sweat !
Wow, with just 2 hands & 10 fingers, he flew all over those keys. My parents & grandparents made us watch his show & they'd marvel at his talented performances.
Nicholas Rimsky-Korsakov - my favorite composer, and Flight of the Bumblebee my favorite tune played by my favorite performer. Can't get any better than this.
Lee was having a pure blast on this along with his audience. I thought he looked quite handsome with his original nose, (he had it "fixed" later). Miss this super classy guy!
I love the young Liberace videos too . To me , when I think Liberace , I always think of his beautiful sequence suits , and his rings .... but these ones are so great . He looked so happy , and if you can watch this performance , and not smile atleast once , there must be something wrong . Bravo Liberace
WOW! Look at those fingers fly! I remember seeing him on TV when I was a child (born in 1955). My mom told me that when his show first aired, he would get in trouble for looking into the camera, but he said that was where most of the viewers were! I always loved how he would wink while looking into the camera, as he did at 2:09. Great pianist and showman! Thank you for sharing this great performance.
I'm always astounded when I watch clips of Liberace, not just his musical chops but the brilliant persona he created, unapologetic over the top flamboyance but with a kind of humble golly gee midwestern boy charm, a split personality, his homosexuality a closely guarded secret but his style and mannerisms left little doubt of it to anyone in the audience savvy enough to get it.
I was about 9 when my grandma told me she was going to Lake Tahoe to see her honey, Liberace. She would take a bus with some lady friends and overnight at a casino hotel. So until I was 12, I thought he was my grandma's honey boyfriend. Anyway, sweet memories of a golden time and Liberace was most definitely a virtuoso...🎉
If you play the piano at any level then you know how gifted and talented this man was. And how much time he put into perfecting his craft. In all the clips I've seen of him playing, I've never heard one mistake. Not saying it never happened, but if it did it was very, very rare.
Forget Elvis! Liberace was the world's greatest entertainer. Proof? There are thousands of Elvis impersonators who sound just like him. Just find ONE person who can imitate Liberace's playing. You won't find even ONE!!
Why would any musician at that level WANT to imitate someone else? If you want to see someone else play this same piece REALLY well, decidedly different though, very technical, take a look at this: ua-cam.com/video/uOyWTlH6iQE/v-deo.html If you want to see a pianist playing notably more difficult stuff than this (that she wrote/arranged) check out Hiromi Uehara's "Tom and Jerry" or "Summertime". And she does much of it looking at the ceiling or the audience, and smiling ear to ear. There are a few others I know of. But yes, Liberacewas was a top notch, world class entertainer, and pretty funny at times. Bugs Bunny's Liberace was hilarious, and if Bugs "did" him, you know he was famous.
Actually, he did this pops stuff mostly on his television show. I got to see a concert of his when I was a much younger musician. He played all classical, and not just the popular stuff. He played a Liszt concerto that I looked up in the music library and the different dynamics on different fingers .. wow. He did it all seemingly effortlessly. I know from my own experience that in order to be able to do the campy stuff and look like it's easy, you have to have some fine chops. His were Very Fine
A truly great performer, perhaps underestimated by many people. I was lucky to see him live in North Carolina around 1981, when I was about 14, and was able even then to recognize his ability.
Gifted Genius of Music/ Kind Entertainer/ Heck of a Performance the entire including the room atmosphere & a touch of the other musicians!! Saw his story unique one at that...
I'm only sorry I never got to meet him. There was never such a showman before him and one would have a hell of a time convincing me that one will ever come after him.
He walked to the forward end of the stage to thank his audience. The people requested to see his jewelery. He said "Gladly, you paid for them". Got to love this guy.
When I was kid, I always wondered why he was so rich and famous. Now I see why. This performance is off the charts! And he makes it look so easy by smiling and winking at the camera. At one point, Liberace was the highest paid entertainer in the world -- this proves exactly why. Mad skills!!!
Great great artist ..salute❤🎉
disgusting personality
say what you will about this man, but he was a whiz on the piano, and did everything with such flair, and manners, you just enjoyed whatever he did
a true showman
Bobbie LaVanway He was an outstanding performer, how to-captivate an audience and even involve them as well. I remember watching him on the t.v.when I was a kid! He drew people in who were there in the studio and also people at home .his outstanding talent and captivating personality not to mention his genius made him a super star then , and I believe he would have commanded the very same accolades in whatever era that he played!
I’m confused, did this man do something bad?
@@samshamloo1663 no, he was a very good showman on his piano
@@samshamloo1663 I heard this man is pretty good but when he's bad he's better
One of the most brilliant and charismatic performers of all time.
I wouldn't say brilliant, but he sure could shred the ivories
Agreed
@@anthonyangeli256 He was brilliant. No one did what he did, and he did it every week.
What utter drivel. The man was an oleaginous creep.
@@Discrimination_is_not_a_right some people are too eager to attribute genius. Some people are too reluctant. I'm not sober enough to pass judgment either way. Skittles.
He didn’t just play piano immaculately, he played like he was playing just for you.
To reach THIS level of musicianship, technique ans skill while smiling at the camera...BOSS!!!
"I thought Liberace was great. That guy was smiling while playing his can off, and he wasn’t missing. And all those rings on his fingers didn’t impair anything. He wasn’t playing simple stuff, but he made it look so simple." -Allen Toussaint, Keyboard Magazine, Nov. 12, 2015
Questioner: "how do you play with all those rings on?". Liberace: "very well!" :-)
A lot of people play this well but I think Liberace just owns this song.
Technically Jack Fina owned the song (ua-cam.com/video/PDl5ZHu35q8/v-deo.html). As good as it was, Liberace played it too fast and didn't play several of the other intricate parts in this performance.
@@davevaebutuoy YEH! But one could Argue That this guy read no
Music what so ever, Witch makes him The Most Shit hot Piano player
That ever lived, Have you ever seen anyone else So Amazing That
couldn't read a note of music. He could play any tune you asked him
to and he could play it. You take a trained Piano players Music away
from him That can only read music, Could they play like this. I rest my
case Buddy. I can play, and i don't read Music, And i can play fast, But
My god, His fingers were nearly on fire he was playing that Quick.
That makes him Very Unique Indeed.
He defintely could have become a virtuoso; he was outplaying his piano teacher when he was only eight years old. He was also a guest soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra when he was 19 or 20. But he learned early on that he could get laughs during his performances and he delighted in engaging his audience. He loved making people happy, a natural born entertainer.
He was a virtuoso. What else you gonna call it?
He was a virtuoso, full stop!
He brought classical piano to people who would never have heard of it otherwise, and introduced an older generation to pop.
and a born entertainer. to boot.@@anthonyangeli256
Liberace in the 50's is his best period. The mix of popular stuff and classical music is his sweet spot.
I agree. I love his 50s shows !!
damn he's good. don't care who you are, nobody can deny his talent and showmanship at the piano
No gościu daje czadu :)!
Yeah this dude rocks :)!
Agree
Loads of other pianists can do this, but I don't know who else can do this with a wink and a smile...
My mother ADORED him - especially when he winked at the camera!! I believe she thought he was winking exclusively at her!! S-m-i-l-e. Happy memories before we knew everyone's lifestyles and personal business!!!
A fantastic piano player and one hell of a showman!
He was so extremely nice on stage... His charm worked to the max!
I think Liberace's 'flamboyant' personality made him such a natural for mass media entertainment - engaging, funny, warm. But he was supremely talented with the keyboard, made it look easy. So brilliant.
Eddyducinsrory
Eddyduchinstory
*FLAMBOYANT*
Beth Heinecamp I remember reading he sometimes drove a cab taking passengers to Las Vegas Hotels.
Supremely talented? He was a fucking beast on the piano...lol.
I don't care what people said about the guy, you have to admit he's amazingly talented!
The greatest entertainer in the world and probably one of the best pianists for the common people.
He is having so much fun ! Seeing him smile into the camera makes me feel so happy .
His talent and speed and dexterity were just half of it. Others on UA-cam have those. It was his charisma, his presence, the showmanship, the smile, the arms raised at the end, the voice when talking to the audience that made him unique, that made Liberace a superstar, a spectacle not only of sound, but of sight.
An electric piano is not the percussion instrument the acoustic piano is. 2 different things.
You got that right!!! And one of the best showmen to ever walk out on stage too!!!
2.09 That relaxed wink to camera when most people's brains would have exploded from the effort. Hell of a guy!
+Philo68 Mr. Showmanship at his best!
When I was a little girl sitting enthralled watching his TV program, I thought he was winking at me!
Philo68 on the road, very generous with his crew... my friend ran lights for his show in the early '70's... if he liked the work he would get a $200.00 tip/show.... that was a week's pay back then!
Just in case you thought they sped the video up ;)
I'm a 100% straight guy, but after that wink...about 90%.
He was so amazing,i just love him. so nice never a bad word to say about anyone,and that makes me like him even more
I once saw him at the London Palladium. He was on stage for over an hour and he kept the audience spellbound for all that time. Not just a phenominally gifted musician but a true entertainer and showman.
Such control over the piano.....those fingers are genius ❗🎼🎶🎹😍
Always loved his playing in any style, but when I think of the Bumble Boogie, I always think of him and those old shows. He was always a perfect gentleman and knew how to connect with people.
Liberace had the rare talent of taking something, whether plain and ordinary, or elaborate and ornate, and turning it into a masterpiece.
+spideraxis YES ! His beautiful smile, could melt my soul. It seems God takes something away from someone...and gives a great talent in return.Such a mystery.
Liberace was great, we used to watch him, back in the 50's when he had a TV show, I think it was Sunday nights 🌙
I do believe I could die happy right now having listened to this.
Piano playing at its best! Magic!
I had never seen Liberace play before and I've never seen anyone in the world play piano like that. Amazing.
That was nothing short of incredible.
Is smile is like a good drug. It's so INFECTIOUS!!!!!!!😁
He was an extremely talented man. Even professional concert pianists pale in comparison. PALE!!!!
Liberace also seemed like the most generous and sincerest nice person, too. He also seemed genuinely humbled by his fame and talent.
Liberace was a showman, not a show off.
This is just mind blowing. Liberace is and always be the best pianist ever
Great music and he was fun to watch too. My daughter used to pretend she was playing and immitated him down to his "Thank you, Thank you." with that big smile on his face.
wow, i haven't watched liberace since i was a kid on tv, but what a great talent the man had. he certainly was a master pianist.
I love you, Lee... you are immortal.
Bumble boogie is such a fitting name for it, it’s amazing how perfect it is.
It is insane how world class great he was!
his extraordinary gift blows me away!
I tried to explain how good his guy was to my friends but couldn't find a word to give him justice,so I showed the video and his jaw is still on the floor right along side of mine. HAS HE EVER MADE A MISTAKE OR MISSED A KEY ? He does not even break a sweat !
Incredible. I watched Liberace when I was a kid. I appreciate him more each passing year.
Wow, with just 2 hands & 10 fingers, he flew all over those keys. My parents & grandparents made us watch his show & they'd marvel at his talented performances.
One of the best pianist of the century...
he must be one of the best pianists of all time
Very gifted guy, right up there with the best
Nicholas Rimsky-Korsakov - my favorite composer, and Flight of the Bumblebee my favorite tune played by my favorite performer. Can't get any better than this.
Liberace was the best!
Lee was having a pure blast on this along with his audience.
I thought he looked quite handsome with his original nose,
(he had it "fixed" later). Miss this super classy guy!
He was so darn good at both playing the piano and entertaining. He is missed by his fans. Never be another Liberace!!!!!
This man is a machine ... so clean, clear and amazing. There was and will only be one Liberace.
Liberace was amazing! He had so much talent.
I love the young Liberace videos too . To me , when I think Liberace , I always think of his beautiful sequence suits , and his rings .... but these ones are so great . He looked so happy , and if you can watch this performance , and not smile atleast once , there must be something wrong . Bravo Liberace
WOW! Look at those fingers fly! I remember seeing him on TV when I was a child (born in 1955). My mom told me that when his show first aired, he would get in trouble for looking into the camera, but he said that was where most of the viewers were! I always loved how he would wink while looking into the camera, as he did at 2:09. Great pianist and showman! Thank you for sharing this great performance.
I'm always astounded when I watch clips of Liberace, not just his musical chops but the brilliant persona he created, unapologetic over the top flamboyance but with a kind of humble golly gee midwestern boy charm, a split personality, his homosexuality a closely guarded secret but his style and mannerisms left little doubt of it to anyone in the audience savvy enough to get it.
Virtuoso pianist, here, no doubt about it!!! RIP musical prodigy, Liberace!
What an incredible musician!
Fantastic technique and strength of touch!
I was about 9 when my grandma told me she was going to Lake Tahoe to see her honey, Liberace. She would take a bus with some lady friends and overnight at a casino hotel.
So until I was 12, I thought he was my grandma's honey boyfriend.
Anyway, sweet memories of a golden time and Liberace was most definitely a virtuoso...🎉
He was Great! I have never heard anyone play like Liberace!
When I was a kid he used to come on Johnny Carson. Especially around Christmas time. He used to really do his thing. Super talent.
God bless you Mr. Liberace.
There'll never be another one like him !
A musical genius.
Superior in every way possible! Just blown away!
I don't know how he does it, but every so often he turns to the audience and gives something between a smile and a wide grin. It is sooo enduring.
Liberace was just unreal on the piano!!! I wish I could play like that!! Jesus!!!
A great pianist Liberace was . He thoroughly enjoyed what he was doing and that comes across loud and clear. Loved it!
Liberace was one of the best pianists of his time.
Rex Cluff q
probably best ever
Not of the future.
He's no Leon Russell.. but still a beast.
Rex Cluff b,
If you play the piano at any level then you know how gifted and talented this man was. And how much time he put into perfecting his craft. In all the clips I've seen of him playing, I've never heard one mistake. Not saying it never happened, but if it did it was very, very rare.
Never a dull moment with this man made of gold and diamond.
He was so handsome and immensely talented!!! Bravisimo!!!!
Say whatever you like about the dude, but this is pure genius talent.
Amazing skill. My hands cramped up just watching this.
My Dad met him a number of times and said Liberace laughs all the way to the bank, no matter what someone says. GREAT TALENT.
I love you, Liberace, wherever you are. 😘
I love his dancing feet while he plays !!!! RIP the GREAT LIBERACE !!!!
Talent like this doesn't exist anymore and even if it does, it's not showcased at all.
He played with his Entire Body. Simply Divinely Wondrous.
He's very talented. Great!
Absolutely magnificent. A very gifted beautiful human. Someone like him is born every millennia ❤
Say what you want to about him but he sure could rip those ivories. A real technician.
I saw him do this in Las Vegas - when he finished - he got a standing ovation!!!!!!!! will never forget that
Forget Elvis! Liberace was the world's greatest entertainer. Proof? There are thousands of Elvis impersonators who sound just like him. Just find ONE person who can imitate Liberace's playing. You won't find even ONE!!
Why would any musician at that level WANT to imitate someone else? If you want to see someone else play this same piece REALLY well, decidedly different though, very technical, take a look at this:
ua-cam.com/video/uOyWTlH6iQE/v-deo.html
If you want to see a pianist playing notably more difficult stuff than this (that she wrote/arranged) check out Hiromi Uehara's "Tom and Jerry" or "Summertime". And she does much of it looking at the ceiling or the audience, and smiling ear to ear. There are a few others I know of.
But yes, Liberacewas was a top notch, world class entertainer, and pretty funny at times. Bugs Bunny's Liberace was hilarious, and if Bugs "did" him, you know he was famous.
Yup. As he used to say about criticism, "I cried and cried, all the way to the bank."
Dazzling to watch and unspeakable joy to listen to.
He was classicly trained but his greatest financial success was not in serious classical concerts but rather in flamboyant showmanship.
What a player & a perfomer he was!!
The Great Librace..
Nice to see the rarity of that composition being played by the Master of the Piano..
Liberace is certainly the best Piano entertainer ever
Wow, is all I can say. Just WOW!!! What a great talent!
Actually, he did this pops stuff mostly on his television show. I got to see a concert of his when I was a much younger musician. He played all classical, and not just the popular stuff. He played a Liszt concerto that I looked up in the music library and the different dynamics on different fingers .. wow. He did it all seemingly effortlessly. I know from my own experience that in order to be able to do the campy stuff and look like it's easy, you have to have some fine chops. His were Very Fine
Fantastic! Thanks for sharing. He was great!
Others are good, but THIS is the Master at work!
And he stays in time.....it's incredible
A truly great performer, perhaps underestimated by many people. I was lucky to see him live in North Carolina around 1981, when I was about 14, and was able even then to recognize his ability.
Gifted Genius of Music/ Kind Entertainer/ Heck of a Performance the entire including the room atmosphere & a touch of the other musicians!! Saw his story unique one at that...
What Talent! I could watch and listen to him play for hours, very clever indeed.
At an age when a lot of people learned to play the piano, why was he the consummate entertainer?
A rare talent indeed.
I'm only sorry I never got to meet him. There was never such a showman before him and one would have a hell of a time convincing me that one will ever come after him.
He walked to the forward end of the stage to thank his audience. The people requested to see his jewelery. He said "Gladly, you paid for them". Got to love this guy.