LIBERACE

 

My step-father had collaborated with Smith, Northington and Kranert [LeRoy Kranert was not only an architect, but an accomplished pianist and cellist/bassist and his wife, Veda was my piano instructor for many years] to built a "new" country club in Huntsville......the "Parkway".......for the grand opening, the campy and popular pianist, Liberace, performed like a Folies Showgirl at a piano.......the candleopera was so over the top and was wired, through the piano leg, to flash into action as Mr. FlashyAction himself bolted, sorta, onto the round stage........I don't remember whether the small town society folk were thrilled or not....they probably were! lots of arpeggios....! actually, Liberace could actually play in a more conservative manner. (the sound file is not his performance, however)
After this 'success' my step-father met Louis Leoni and was off to re-do the Sand's Hotel Kitchens.......I went to visit him there......and saw the Folies Bergere....Liberace was playing there, too, but i preferred Victor Borge......so we went to see him, after I was tossed from the Folies for being "under age" for tittie viewing.....