Liberace: Lee talks about his childhood, Cyndi Lauper, humiliation and more!

Liberace was an American pianist, singer, and actor. A child prodigy and the son of working-class immigrants, Liberace enjoyed a career spanning four decades of concerts, recordings, television, motion pictures, and endorsements. At the height of his fame, from the 1950s to the 1970s, Liberace was the highest-paid entertainer in the world, with established residencies in Las Vegas, and an international touring schedule. Liberace embraced a lifestyle of flamboyant excess both on and off stage, acquiring the sobriquet "Mr. Showmanship".
In 1956, Liberace had his first international engagement, playing successfully in Havana, Cuba. He followed up with a European tour later that year. Always a devout Catholic, Liberace considered his meeting with Pope Pius XII a highlight of his life. In 1960, Liberace performed at the London Palladium with Nat King Cole and Sammy Davis, Jr. (this was the first televised "command performance", now known as the Royal Variety Performance, for Queen Elizabeth II).
In 1982, Scott Thorson, Liberace's 22-year-old former chauffeur and live-in lover of five years, sued the pianist for $113 million in palimony after he was let go by Liberace.Liberace continued to deny that he was homosexual, and during court depositions in 1984, he insisted that Thorson was never his lover. The case was settled out of court in 1986, with Thorson receiving a $75,000 cash settlement, plus three cars and three pet dogs worth another $20,000. Thorson stated after Liberace's death that he settled because he knew that Liberace was dying and that he had intended to sue based on conversion of property rather than palimony. He later attested that Liberace was a "boring guy" in his private life and mostly preferred to spend his free time cooking, decorating, and playing with his dogs, and also that he never played the piano outside of his public performances. According to Thorson: "He (Liberace) had several decorated, ornamental pianos in the various rooms of his house, but he never played them." Thorson also remarked that he was not aware that Liberace had any health issues prior to contracting acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and up until one year before his death that: "He was in overall excellent shape for his age; barrel-chested and powerfully built."
In a 2011 interview, actress and close friend Betty White stated that Liberace was indeed gay and that she was often used as a beard by his managers to counter public rumors of the musician's homosexuality.

[@alicecoleman5532]

He was a sweet, gentle, loving soul.

[@GG-yn6jw]

Very humble, genuine, has almost a childlike innocence in his heart. Such a lovely and beautiful soul!👏👏👏👏👏👏❤

[@targetmann100ify]

handcrafts men and other workers that work for him said he was the best person you could ever want to work for .He made pasta meals and other stuff etc etc for everybody he was involved with and was a very nice man.

[@cdewitt406]

He never spoke badly about anyone! What a gem!

[@mercurydude]

I'm glad to hear that he liked Cyndi and I'm sure the feeling was mutual. Two lovely, talented human beings that never let anyone else stand in the way of their vision.

[@bryanelam7431]

Me too! I bet it was rare when he had anything negative to say about anyone! If been a fan of Cyndi since I was a kid in the 80's. I'm a East Tennessean and when Dolly had the tv fundraiser for the Gatlinburg fire Cindi was the opening act and she sang time after time and she played the dulcimer, that makes me love her completely! A NYC girl went out of her way to help East Tennesseans and played a Southern folk instrument, I love her!!

[@CiceroLounge]

An amazing man. Such a sincere man. Came from poverty to become one of the nicest showman in the world.

[@paolamura3497]

I mean...just listen with what humility he talks about his origins...with that wonderful smile...he's just gorgeous

[@larryjohnson4619]

Always positive with an infectious attitude....and a good heart

[@iantheorem]

What a wonderful man, so gracious and loving to his friends. I’ve heard he had a huge heart and despite being different he would help anyone and he never spoke out of spite about anybody. I wish he could’ve lived long enough to come out, his fans would’ve embraced him strongly for it and so would have I. I get so sad when I think about him. Love you Lee

[@CiceroLounge]

Absolutely.

[@PhillipLWilcher]

He was a wonderfully kind man.

[@50hellkat2]

Liberace was exceptionally well mannered and this carried him well.

[@eliseshaw6993]

He was wonderful

[@melvinnixon2378]

He was ahead of many with his piano playing. I loved his diversity in his playing.

[@larenese9417]

I agree....

[@AnnaHerrick]

Nobody could play like he did! His showmanship really carried him along! Wonderful man!

[@kona1967]

I remember my mother telling me "if Liberace ever comes to town I'll take you because he knows how to put on a show."

[@paulwallis8998]

Putting his private life to one side I always felt that Liberace was humble and gracious in the way he interviewed.

[@metsot]

Well spoken and had a certain humbleness to him ..as is mentioned in the interview he had his share of adversity.

[@TLpjh888]

I agree. He was humble.

[@ManuelGuzman067]

Liberace always had a smile on his face . only one 🎹 🌟 rip

[@elainebmack]

I always have had a soft spot in my heart for "Liverace" as a called him as a child. Such a unique, kind, gentle man with a great sense of humor. Truly one if a kind.

[@hellokitty1982mf]

5:05 Shows Mr. Showman Ship as very professional artist never talked down about new artist. What a great guy very sweet. Much love Lee, thank you for the your music! Keep sparkling in the beautiful sky ❤️

[@edwardgoldsmith8011]

Liberace was the coolest performer who master his craft and I miss him very much we need this kind of performer in our life's today Thanks for putting it on

[@thomasayer7511]

I miss you Lee. Loved your music 🎶.

[@designinternational4488]

I love this man...an authentic person! Good hearted person!!! Great talent...one of the best performer in the music world!!!

[@SmilinJackAccordion]

Thanks Eileen ... In my youth (70's), Liberace was the most important person in my life, and he is still an inspiration. I'm a career ACCORDIONIST today because of him. I also became curious about Gary Casucci after viewing this. I found him on KZbin ... some current videos. It was good to see that playing the piano is still his passion. I commented on one of his videos and mentioned THIS video. He messaged me back asking for a link ... I sent it to him. He was delighted to see this interview, after so many years !

[@1punch_man]

I wish I could smile as much as Liberace

[@divox9pqr]

What stands out for me was his technical mastery, his ability and total command of his instrument. Had he not been drawn to the showmanship aspect of the business, he would have been a terrific concert piano soloist...even conductor. But God knows best in this life.

[@thereseember2800]

Liberace was so authentically sincere, kind and heartwarming with the public. He was a gentle man and a gentleman. I miss how well-mannered he was, as if from a long-lost bygone era.

[@jimmysapien9961]

Therese Ember -- they don’t make like that anymore .

[@SynBlades]

He cared about his audience. Rare attribute now.

[@bluesky6028]

Great & fabulous entertainer !!!

[@TheDiamondLife90]

There is something so magical that i luv about Mr. Lee

[@brettmillman9137]

Like everyone, he acted a certain way in public and a certain way in his private life. He was an amazing performer and no doubt everyone got their monies worth. I only wish that I had been able to see him in concert. A true entertainer that got as much enjoyment out of his performance as the audience did and it showed every time he went on stage. He showed great affection and humor towards his audience and this is why he was so successful. He was very protective of his image as he saw the damage that bad publicity can do. Regardless of what any haters think of his private life, it's none of their business. I commend him on the joy that he brought to so many and I enjoy watching back so much of his work thanks to youtube posters. I'm shattered that his museum is no longer open, but see that someone is thankfully restoring his mansion in Las Vegas. It should be kept at all costs as a major part of the Las Vegas culture. I hope to get to see it sometime soon. He was truly a once in a lifetime person. RIP Liberace, there will never be an entertainer like you again.

[@archbud2334]

If you would like to look in Liberace s home 8n Las Vegas. Take a look at "daze with Jordan the lion" he has recently posted the inside of this on one of his latest videos. It looks amazing! I hope this helps, warmest wishes to you

[@brettmillman9137]

@@archbud2334 Thanks so much. :-)

[@archbud2334]

@@brettmillman9137 you're welcome. I hope you enjoy it. I thought it was amazing.

[@johnreynolds5407]

Talented and genuinely kind.

[@Bradley7708]

Librace has the greatest smile

[@bryanelam7431]

I love how proud of his family he is!!

[@southwestpiano]

Your notes somehow failed to mention that Liberace was a truly fabulous pianist/arranger and also a great humanitarian

[@p.g.u.d]

Well he was a pretty mediocre pianist but he developed his own style and he was certainly a great entertainer. I heard, i don't know if it's true, that he had a photographic memory. He could remember people while doing tours and such. If he met stage staff a year later he knew exactly who they were. "oh how are you 'Daniel'? How's your wife Margaret? And your two little ones x and y?" I can't remember where i heard that but it struck me at the time... Many years ago i heard that.

[@jamesfox2579]

The One and ONLY - Liberace💕

[@jeffreyparker5997]

What a lovely man .

[@focusonu9668]

Seems like a genuinely nice guy.

[@gregorysmith2548]

Buster, your an idiot

[@nancyterrywhittemore2015]

@buster hyman We ALL have skeletons in our closet. Set aside what we hear about his private life, he was always kind and humble whenever he was interviewed or performing!

[@dwcoop5390]

The best piano player the world has ever seen

[@ConservativeAnthem]

Better than Bach, you poor ninny!

[@ceilconstante7813]

None of us saw Bach. We only heard him.

[@tommyplays131]

@@ConservativeAnthem did you see Bach play? You miserable asshole.

[@ConservativeAnthem]

@@tommyplays131 I did. Now don't get jealous.

[@victoryvictory8246]

Well spoken and intelligent

[@golden8972]

I can honestly say that one of my biggest regrets is that I've never got a chance to see him in concert. Or seeing his museum.

[@markbob120]

His museum was really something to see. Saw it many years ago in Vegas. Didn't really want to go but was so glad I did!

[@themadrespect7740]

@@markbob120 is his museum still open?

[@markbob120]

@@themadrespect7740 unfortunately, no.

[@ToniMattTony]

Such a real beautiful person

[@annetteelliott1494]

I love this man...I wouldn't mind his talent, just amazing.....

[@eshim3961]

Despite it being pretty obvious to my millennial eyes that Liberace was gay, I see why so many women were in love with him. Such a nice, soft spoken, and (despite his glamorous costumes) humble man. I've been playing the piano since I was 4 years old, and despite his being dismissed as showman versus a prodigy, He was an objectively gifted pianist, but managed to convey humanity and warmth to what is often considered to be a cold, technical genre.

[@johnorabone6112]

Everybody knew he was gay then. He was such a gentle and kind man and a great performer. The women who "loved him" as you say knew he was gay. They loved him for the great person he was.

[@johnorabone6112]

You think only milllenial eyes knew he was gay? What do you think, boomers were idiots? Everybody knew he was gay. He was loved by most people because of the man he was, not his sexuality. Ya know, young people, despite the popular opinion, boomers and even older generations were not all Neanderthals. Many of us went by the motto "live and let live". In fact that is the true meaning of TOLERANCE. I was taught by my Baptist mother ,of all people, that all things between consenting ADULTS were acceptable and nobody's business but the parties involved.

[@daphnenapier1102]

Liberace was so interesting talking about his life and family amazing.

[@rdo1231]

legend

[@conniecharley7086]

I remember the story he told about himself when he first started playing out in night clubs etc., nobody paid attention to his music so that how the canderlabra started the candles drew attention and the rest is history. THAT is his trade mark. WONDERFUL how he told that story.

[@olivelane7903]

@Christine Mills yes he did chopin always had a candleabra on his piano lee admired chopinsi much and copied this idea I have admired Liberace now fir more than 64 years he was a wonderful man and bad stories about him greatly exaggerated by jealous men

[@elainemcginn9353]

Thank you for sharing your London photo s with our precious Lee..sure was a real Showman and loved him. sigh..lucky lady ...his Mama! xo

[@lindaweinstein4846]

A very humble man 🥰🙏🏼🙌🏼

[@johnrandolph1539]

I was so very fortunate to have seen Liberace, along with my mother, twice in the early 80's when my father had gotten us fantastic seats as a gift. I'm blessed I got to experience his shows. All the glitz & glamor one could dream of, yet, he came off as such a humble & personable human being at the same time. I think this very rare combination of traits is what made audiences adore him so very much. RIP Liberace! And thank you for all the joy your entertainment & talent brought to us all throughout the too few years you were with us!!!

[@MissouriPenny]

What an awesome man and entertaining man .so generous. And gentle .fall8ng inl9ve with him all over agai in2023 .thankyou for sharing this legendary video.

[@showgirlsaroundtheworldada4484]

Fabulous! Loved lee

[@fintan3563]

Beautiful interview! I have something in common with the great Liberace. ❤️❤️❤️ When I was 16 I wanted to look older, now at 59 I’d like to look younger!! I wonder how universal that feeling is. Or is it just me and Lee who think that? 😜😜😜

[@townhall05446]

Ditch the beard and you'll sure look younger.

[@JeHaVe]

I hope you kept your beard...

[@gaylearcarivilla7725]

So well spoken & very loved..wish longevity could of kept him with us longer..Always fascinating to hear his stories & humor..Nice clip!👍

[@thunderkss2343]

true gentleman

[@orionwarren4244]

They don't come any nicer than Liberace. His kind are sorely missed in today's indifferent by 'tech' society.

[@lisadempsey9259]

Much love for him💞💞

[@patriciapogue9424]

He was a kindhumble man Becousehehad a wonderful mother who raised him so lovenly

[@daphnenapier1102]

Liberace had the one thing you need to be agreat success in show bi's He had the magic ingredients that's was so special just to him.

[@ronaldreagan256]

World recognized showman and great talent

[@lanebates9468]

Didn't you do a piece on him for GMA?

[@user-wt1jd4rc9n]

Amazing life great LIBERACE!!!

[@HermanSays]

Very Insightful ...thanks for posting.

[@RetireMe100]

One of a kind. Wish I could have seen him

[@phaedrabacker2004]

Go Liberace!

[@beboploo]

from looking below he was a nice person which i find that me self

[@JC-zu4xk]

Genius.

[@CameronEly]

Fantastic interview!

[@eileenprose8472]

Thank you Cameron. My friend and guest co-host, Tom Cottle, is a very good interviewer. I hope you will check out the other interviews on my Channel. Thanks again for watching. Blessings to you...

[@CameronEly]

Eileen Prose I love a good interview! I especially love watching anything that has Liberace in it! He's such a fascinating person!

[@eileenprose8472]

Cameron Ely You might like my piece on Liberace's premier night at Radio City Music Hall. So much glamour and Lee was in his element!!

[@tur74d56]

Cameron Ely apparently his friends said he hated been interviewed,strange as he always seemed relaxed and happy doing them

[@vvega3965]

Individuality?? This generation needs it. Cut outs everywhere you go!

[@zachthehistorian]

Liberace was also turned down by the Army during WW2 because of a spinal injury.

[@giraffasavana2275]

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🥰

[@ceciliapreziose3783]

he worked to pay for his education.........hear that!

[@chickasawstarrmountain9747]

Amen!more people need to work and quit being entitled!

[@darrenbuskirk3532]

Can anyone tell me the song/arrangement they're playing at the rehearsal in the background?

[@jimmysapien9961]

👌👍🏻👍🏻

[@townhall05446]

His friends called him "Lee"... I've never met him nor studied his life but even I knew that. He was on the Oprah Winfrey show and she called him "Lib." LIB! SMH

[@pompom11]

I’m from Boston, can any of you pick up Gary’s Boston accent? Where’s Gary now 2020? Also this was a local Boston talk show, what was it called I can’t rememba? Thanks for any reply.

[@saramainyugen8002]

Interesting comments!

[@hankrogers8431]

Make no mistake, it was ALL carefully crafted persona. Even the "genuine" persona of interviews.

[@charlottebuchanan3193]

I believe you. I dont believe any celebrity. They're all a product of good PR people.

[@drophatinc]

The interviewer has a massive forehead. I love Liberace

[@tur74d56]

This interview is from 1985 not 86

[@dxmxo9427]

That guys hair though hehe

[@davidjames666]

Dima b yea, he had some thick hair for a man in his 30's. He must have got lots of chicks

[@shannonsmith1522]

@@davidjames666 uh it's a wig

[@John-wx3zn]

Colorful was cool. Stop saying that it was not!

[@Lizzy514]

Who is this host?

[@earthquakela9427]

She reminds me of Simon Cowell now.

[@olivelane7903]

Fact one Scott thorson was ,eighteen wen he met Liberace he stated this in his book Lee did not allow drugs in House Scott said in book Lee chucked him out cos he smashed up his hoiisr

[@RoseSharon7777]

What is that?

[@vikki5492205]

I CAN'T HEAR THE INTERVIEW.

[@chineseslaves1971]

Neanderthals can learn something from this relaxing mild mannered man.

[@tur74d56]

Awful face lift and terrible heavy wig for his age , but a lovely man

[@jchedrick537]

The story goes his plastic surgeon was doing lines of cocaine during his face surgery and really messed the job up.

[@victoryvictory8246]

Really unfortunate , if true about the surgeon

[@vikki5492205]

How come I am not able to hear any sound come out? thank you.

[@icephoenix8023]

A fine gentleman and hung like a horse!

[@daveybaby10]

What happened to all his money and jewels as it says his house is now derelict and the museum is shut?

[@sammavacaist]

Was Gary one of his lovers?

[@76footballlover]

I was wondering that myself, he showed him special attention

[@joshua__oshua2371]

Well this is awkard .im 58 yr hetrosexual (apparently) and i think i have a man crush on liberace .hmmmm.ssshhhh don't tell my wife .

[@TheDiamondLife90]

Me too! 1000% class

[@nowvoyagerNE]

i believe the publisher of this video stole the description word-for-word from Wikipedia without giving credit to Wikipedia, AKA plagiarism. thumbs down to the publisher of this video.

[@ABCDuwachui]

nowvoyagerNE chill out

[@jesseharper4792]

in the 50's i think he use to come on on Saturdays, and it was always a let down for me cuase i wanted cartoons not liberace.

[@shirleywyans2028]

We just got tv and Liberate was on our FATHER LEFT ME WATCH THE SHOW !AND I AM THE ONLY ONE OF MY FAMILY WHO LIKES THIS KIND OF MUSIC THE OTHER 5 CHILDREN LIKE COUNTRY MUSIC THAT WAS MORETHAN 65 YEARS !AGO STILL GOING STRONG THANK YOU FOR HIS LIFE

[@earthquakela9427]

You know he played with garrys pianists

[@baritonebynight]

A strange resemblance to Bea Arthur.

[@lindapiper9171]

For some reason he really gets on my nerves.

[@archiviste600]

Mais son visage est horrible avec toutes ces opérations.

[@stringer-ik1pc]

I wonder why he plucked the young. Handsome fresh Gary out.??? 😕😕😕

[@hankrogers8431]

He talked about youthful vitality and said not a word about all the plastic surgery. ROFL She was such a fake.

[@phaedrabacker2004]

Who gives a shit?

[@bryanelam7431]

Only a bottom of the barrel human would say anything negative about him! Yes, that means you!

[@lillianflorence6056]

Very nice man, his life is private,