Today In History

Liberace once stated, "I don't give concerts, I put on a show.” He worked tirelessly to refine his act and added a candelabra as a signature prop. He dressed in white tie and tails to be better seen in large halls. By 1947, he was billing himself as "Liberace the most amazing piano virtuoso of the present day." He created a very successful publicity machine which helped rocket him to stardom. In 1950, he performed for music-loving President Harry S. Truman in the East Room of the White House. His large-scale Las Vegas act became his hallmark, expanding his fan base dramatically, and making him one of the highest paid performers in the world. His New York City performance at Madison Square Garden in 1954 earned him a record $138,000 for one performance, and, by 1955, he was making $50,000 per week at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.