Page 40 - 200609 - The 'X' Chronicles Newspaper - September 2006

40 Liberace LV Liveliest Spirit Liberace LV Liveliest Spirit 40 Liberace; Las Vegas' Liberace; Las Vegas' Liveliest Spirit Liveliest Spirit By Janice Oberding By Janice Oberding Just as millions of others do, Liberace loved Las Vegas. When he decided to build his museum in the early 1970s, he first offered it to Milwaukee, the city of his birth. For whatever reason, Milwaukee turned him down, leaving Liberace to offer to build in Las Vegas. Sin City jumped at the proposition. Leave it this city to know how to please tourists. Twenty years after Liberace's death the Liberace Museum remains one of Nevada's most popular tourist attractions. Thousands of people flock here annually to gawk at the bejeweled finery the flamboyant pianist wore onstage. Most of them are not aware that in addition to the outrageous costumes, cars and other memorabilia, the entertainer himself is said to haunt the museum as well as nearby Carluccio's Tivoli Gardens. Once in a while a visitor to the museum will report catching a glimpse of the entertainer's apparition while touring the facility. With the completion of his museum, Liberace opened Liberace's Tivoli Gardens with company who offered to supply him with pianos op Ten Questions Asked the idea of offering locals and tourists a fine T Top Ten Questions Asked when he was virtually an unknown musician in dining experience. He not only decorated the About Liberace the 1940's. About Liberace restaurant, he also planned the menu. A perfectionist, Liberace wanted everything that Q. When was Liberace's record-breaking Tivoli Gardens offered to be of the highest Q. Where did Liberace get the idea for the concert at Madison Square Garden in NYC? quality. He appreciated a good meal; friends and candelabra on his piano? A. It took place on May 26, 1954 with 17,000 acquaintances agree that he was no slouch when A. He got the idea from a movie based on the people in attendance and grossing a total of it came to matters of the kitchen. Proud of his life of Chopin called "A Song to Remember". $138,000. for one evening's performance. Tivoli Gardens, Liberace enjoyed entertaining visiting celebrities there. Stars who shared a Q. When was Liberace's television debut? Q. When were Liberace's final 'live' A. Liberace first began as a summer meal with him at his restaurant include Dolly replacement for the Dinah Shore Show in 1952. performances? Parton and Debbie Reynolds. Ever the A short time after that, the "Liberace Show" A. His final performances took place at Radio entertainer, he would occasionally drop by after was syndicated and televised in 217 cities City Music Hall in NYC, October 16 to performing in one of the local showrooms, and throughout the USA and overseas. November 2, 1986. delight his patron's with an impromptu piano Liberace Trivia selection. Q. When was Liberace first called "Mr. Liberace Trivia Today the restaurant is known as Carluccio's Tivoli Gardens and continues to Showmanship"? - Liberace’s favorite song was “The Impossible offer some of Vegas' best Italian food. Then too, A. It was first used on November 11, 1956. Dream.” there is the ghost of Liberace. One evening shortly after his death a woman claimed to have Q. When did the Liberace Museum first open? - In the 1965 movie “The Loved One” Liberace seen him sitting at the piano. He appeared so A. It was opened by Liberace himself on April played the role of a casket salesman. lifelike that another patron actually asked him to 15, 1979 play a certain tune. Employees have also Q. Which of Liberace's homes had the famous - The first classical song that Liberace played reported seeing the ghostly Liberace on piano-shaped swimming pool? was, “The Three Little Fishes” that he played an occasion. In an attempt to communicate with A. It was the Sherman Oaks, California home encore to the audience in 1939. him a séance was conducted at Carluccio's two that he owned in the 1950's. years ago. Liberace did not make an appearance - Liberace first played Carnegie Hall on during the séance. Several ghost investigations Q. When did Liberace's parents pass away? September 23, 1953. have also been conducted in Carluccio's. A. Salvatore Liberace died on April 26, 1977 Findings were inconclusive except for the fact - Liberace first started playing Las Vegas in that sensitives felt his presence in certain areas at the age of 92. Liberace's Mother, Frances 1944 at the New Frontier Hotel. of the building, and orb photos were collected. died on November 24, 1980, at age 89. This is Las Vegas. The odds on favorite - Liberace’s favorite home was in Palm Springs, place to see the opulence and style, of which Q. How many homes did Liberace own? California. Liberace surrounded himself, is at his home on A. At one time, Liberace owned various homes Shirley Street. The former Liberace Mansion is in the following cities: Las Vegas, NV; Palm - Liberace was Roman Catholic. known as the Las Vegas Villa and is available Springs, CA; Sherman Oaks, CA; Lake Tahoe, NV; Hollywood Hills, CA; Malibu, CA; and a for parties and weddings. The Villa should be on penthouse apartment in Los Angeles, CA. He - On March 29, 1982 Liberace played at the any fan of Liberace's must see list while in Sin also leased a penthouse apartment at Trump 54th Annual Academy Awards. City. Even though some visitors to the villa have Towers in New York City. reported strange incidents, there have been no - “I’ll Be Seeing You” was the most recorded actual sightings of Liberace. However, that Q. Why did Liberace prefer Baldwin pianos? song by Liberace. could change at any time. After all, Liberace's A. Mainly because they were the very first theme song was I'll Be Seeing You! Liberace - A True Musical Icon & Entertainer.