Liberace Museum: where glitz and glitter live on
In life, Liberace was the epitome of over-the-top glitz and flamboyance. While Liberace passed away in 1987, his love of the spectacular lives on, thanks to the non-profit Liberace Museum that he opened 30 years ago in — where else? — Las Vegas.
The master pianist known as "Mr. Showmanship" debuted the museum on Easter Sunday, April 15, 1979, so that he could share with the public his gratitude for his success. Located in two separate buildings, the museum houses Liberace's sequined, bejeweled and feathered million-dollar wardrobe; custom show cars, candelabras, awards, personal artifacts and outrageous jewelry.
Included in his personal artifacts are some of the most remarkable pianos ever made. Among them are Liberace's own nine-foot, rhinestone-bedecked Concert Grand Baldwin piano, a Chickering concert grand once owned by legendary composer George Gershwin and a 1788 John Broadwood piano, one of the rarest pianos on display in the United States.
“Liberace first played Las Vegas in 1944 at the Last Frontier,” says museum director Tanya Combs. “He eventually became the highest paid entertainer in Las Vegas.
According to Combs, the pianist's famed flamboyance was all for show. "His outfits became such a huge hit that he felt like he had to top himself every time he performed. Off stage, however, he was not flamboyant at all,” she said.
As Liberace’s career escalated, he began buying the luxury items he had never been able to afford, such as the custom cars he used to drive onto the stage.
"With all their rhinestones, sequins, fur and jewels, some of his costumes weighed more than he did. One actually weighed 200 pounds! So it helped that he could drive on stage instead of walking on," Combs says.
Proceeds from the Liberace Museum go to the Liberace Foundation to fund scholarships for those in the creative and performing arts. To date, 120 colleges and universities have benefited, and $5.2 million has been given to 2,500 students.
The museum is open daily except Mondays. Admission is normally $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and students with a valid school ID. Children 10 and younger are admitted free, but must be accompanied by an adult. On the second Sunday of the month, admission is free for Nevada residents.
- by Bobbie Katz, Las Vegas Reporter for HelloMetro
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