Liberace 12th Street Rag from the 50's.wmv

[@njplr]

For all the flamboyance and over-the-top glitter of his latter years, you can see here how truly incredible he was. Brilliant.

[@pauldionne2884]

You could argue the over-the-top-glitter is still less than his talent.

[@freebirdrox7330]

And maybe a bit if insanity. But definitely brilliant!

[@nolancain8792]

2:29 actual representation of typing a college paper last minute.

[@alexnajera3483]

FACTS

[@kimemerson8728]

hahaha, that's awesome.

[@leoutter3557]

Yes but inetsad of music its. Tuc, tuc, tuc, tuc, pling!

[@lorrainemaurice532]

oh lee, you had such a quiet, spontaneous and decent sense of humour. what a gentleman in music this world has lost.

[@diwittig]

Before Liberace plays this piece double-time he says to the audience, "Ripley mentioned this piece because there were 6,000 notes in it. I thought you might like to count them." I enjoy his sense of humor. The practice he put in and the number of performances he gave - how did he physically do it? Wow!

[@madgoldfish4144]

Liszt has been real quiet since this dropped.

[@silverstrike6048]

Ha ha! Very funny. For your information, Liszt has been dead for more than fifteen years now.

[@MalikaTrue]

@@silverstrike6048 Ha Ha very funny! For your information this was a joke. Also this is a bait.

[@replicated]

@@MalikaTrue sick burn hahahahahaha

[@TimeGodDioBrando]

Liszten hear.

[@NStheStudios]

@@silverstrike6048 r/woosh

[@thomashogan16]

Who couldn't love him? He was beyond belief. So full of energy and love for his audience.

[@jillmarschall3277]

He was the greatest pianist to ever grace this earth.

[@georgeloveday9674]

Saw his show twice. He was a great entertainer.

[@GamerGuyMatt1892]

The joy Liberace exudes when he plays is so infectious. Absolutely brilliant

[@merlinpielich8061]

I can't do that... give me my beer back.

[@misterdaffy]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@e.c.3750]

Best 7 year old comment

[@continenzajazz9976]

How can he keep such a big smile while hes sustaining that speed of music

[@rongriffiths7863]

Rhapsody by candle light Rhapsody by candlelight

[@diwittig]

Lots and lots of practice.

[@jeffcharles9344]

And looking at the camera.

[@JustFixIt99]

After years of watching this, that left hand still absolutely amazes me... just incredible

[@cathrinrehder6652]

This video is such a wonderful example of "the bounciness of Liberace" ... What he does with his whole body is amazing; his shoulders seem to dance and his left leg is always moving to rhythm. Amazing.

[@edithdavis2848]

as a child drove my mom and friends crazy cause when his show came on I stopped everything to watch him. He was the master pianist and showman, none could nor have topped him.

[@uiscepreston]

Except Scott Thorson.

[@johnseal56]

@@uiscepreston Hey-o

[@soy_limo]

Tom Brier was really good as well

[@garylobo348]

Elton John tried. But the only one I've seen and heard to could come close to Lee's brilliance here, is Billy Joel and his Root Beer Rag.

[@syourke3]

Consummate showman and a virtuoso pianist. Give the man his due. He was unique. He had the chops to play anything he wanted.

[@markhayes6407]

A real showman and awesome pianist.

[@MusicalMissCapri]

Definitely. :)

[@AnnaHerrick]

These old ones are the best!

[@MicheleMJJ]

EACH TIME I WATCH A VIDEO OF LIBERACE PLAYING, I AM AMAZED AT HIS TALENT. HE HAS SUCH A WONDERFUL SMILE AND REAL FLAIR FOR LOVING WHAT HE DOES. I WISH I COULD HAVE SEEN HIM IN CONCERT. LUCKILY, WE HAVE THE VIDEOS FOR THAT. WONDERFUL CARING AND LOVING MAN.

[@skylermccloud78]

sucks he is dead

[@CameronGuarino]

WHY ARE YOU TALKING IN CAPS LOCK

[@MicheleMJJ]

BECAUSE I LIKE TO; IT'S NONE OF YOUR CONCERN.

[@mordiveer5957]

i love how people freak out about caps XD

[@frankkelch4553]

Well, it is rather annoying... and it makes a person look like they're too stupid to figure out how to turn the caps lock off..

[@dogman4100]

Virtuosity on display. Wonderful.

[@tijnhilhorst]

You can see, he’s enjoying the song himself as well.😉 A wonderful man and such a great talent!

[@JonathanAllen0379]

The greatest ever, period. Nobody else even comes close.

[@Updavidedattention]

Wow, that’s what I got to say! No trick photography or trickery of any sort. Just an amazing mastery of talent earned throughout many, many years of practice, practice, practice. I for one appreciate ‘Milwaukee’s favorite brew’ Liberace! A true showman, don’t ya think?

[@diwittig]

Yes. Well-said. In fact, his nickname was Mr. Showmanship.

[@janettgrady2394]

Entertainers do not come any better than Liberace, who happily entertained the whole wide world with an outstanding personality and his skill second to none when it came to playing piano. Liberace made people happy, and that is what he was all about. ..HAPPY!!!

[@australia703]

Just unbelievable what a talented guy he even has the audacity to look at the camera smiling while still playing, now that is talent.

[@eyelutalulu7266]

Amazing !!! Literally dancing off his chair!!

[@Equismaximus]

Saw him about 36 years ago at the Flamingo in Vegas. My wife was pregnant with my son about 8 months. We were in the lobby waiting in line for the doors to open. Every 5 minutes or so my wife would go over and sit down as she was very pregnant. Soon a man came over to her and asked how many were in her party. She pointed to us and said "four". Subsequently she and the man walked over to us. It was the old days and he looked like a mobster and had a very low tone voice but I can tell you he was the perfect gentleman. He said to the four of us, "come with me" and we thinking we had done something wrong followed obediently and without question. The show was going to start shortly. He open the door to the auditorium and took us to a semicircular booth at the very front of the stage and said "sit here". In a few minutes a waiter came over and brought a bottle of champagne on ice to our table. The gentleman that sat us disappeared and we never saw him again and in a couple of minutes Liberace came out on stage. He pranced around the stage with a mink coat that had a train that was 20 feet long. Soon after a volkswagen with a Rolls Royce radiator grill drove onto the stage and he said "that one is for the fir" and he through in the fir and the little car drove off stage. Then a full size Rolls Royce came out and he smiled and said "this one's for me" and he was driven off stage. We were there within 20 feet of him. It was like a dream. That was the real Vegas. I will never forget that night. It was surreal. Liberace played while water fountains danced to his playing. The mob had more class and treated the common people better than your government ever will. They respected the family. Now this is not to say that they did not kill people. If you were a mobster well then you were dealing with them on the terms of their organization. We on the other hand were just some young people that had a front row seat to one of the greatest showman of all time. God Bless Liberace I will never forget that night. And thank you Las Vegas.

[@beverlydavid581]

Thank you for sharing your memory.

[@starwars_chola7001]

What a great story! I loved Liberace since I was a child. I loved watching him on tv with the fountain working in synch with piano notes and his fabulous taste

[@DreamingCatStudio]

Marvelous story. Thank you!

[@honeycaponeyproductions.9885]

Better than any jackpot vegas offers. My respect

[@gregoryclemen1870]

I know all about the "ORGANISATION", they really are kind and gentle, just do not get in the way of their business!!!!!, they know how to handle obstructions.

[@pchabanowich]

His piano rolls from the late 20s were peerless. His was a lavish and joyous talent.

[@MooPotPie]

Peter Chabanowich Liberace was born in 1919 - so he was only 10 in 1929. He started his playing career in 1936. Any player piano rolls by him date to the 1960s and '70s..

[@dillonheimerl5683]

I dont think ive ever seen someone's hands just....flat out explode like his did. Just....wow.

[@rodsreel]

I don't play piano but I can watch him all night - amazing

[@lianelayman7577]

+rodsreel Me too, best thing I like about him.

[@STEAMBOLTANNIE]

WOW such speed and clarity. and no mistakes, truly amazing

[@johndean958]

Just love his playing and his personality shows so much fun and love for life.A brilliant man.Thanks.

[@arthurpruitt736]

There will never be talent like him ever again. It was my blessing to see and listen to this man three times.

[@paulm7941]

Yes a true master. We are in need of such natural showmanship.

[@yambo59]

I smell Ivory smoke...... When I see how effortlessly he plays even with all the embellishments it just floors me. I regret the years I ignored him as a flash act, but the old adage is true, you cant judge by the cover - especially not Liberace, he is a true grand master of his craft. I have a much overdue respect.

[@steinwaygrande3971]

My wife and I saw Liberace live in Melbourne in 1985. What a fantastic evening we had. Little did we know his life was to be cut short a few years later

[@aidaquintana7515]

Lord have mercy.... this man was unique... one of a kind for sure. Yessssss.♥♥♥♥♥♥

[@manilooney7]

fantastic fingers,,,ive recently become overwhelmed by this marvellous musicians talent,,,Liberace,,,mesmerisinly brilliant,,,love it..x

[@Equinsu_Ocha69]

"Thank you for your wonderful welcome" Nobody talks like this anymore

[@psw4763]

Always a gentlemen and great and talented entertainer

[@camelia9802]

The best pianist in the World ever

[@dfredenb]

I remember seeing him as a kid, and I would have to say that he was the greatest piano showman of his time.

[@AndreaElizabeth100]

Wow! He plays the piano so fast I've never seen anyone play like that before.

[@jeffneis553]

No one can ever tell me he wasnt the GREATEST pianist and ALL AROUND SHOWMAN !!

[@wurly164]

At the hardest part he looks at the camera and winks, he is having more fun than we are

[@jjjlove2260]

Man he is talented. I've never seen anyone play like that before. It almost doesn't seem real. Mr Magic hands, keep playing in the sky.

[@12121149]

Saw him in Vegas,back when,one of the best live shows,I have ever seen,just sayin'

[@kenchovan5910]

I JUST GOT DONE LISTENING TO HIS RECORDING ON MY LP WITH THIS SONG (and others) AND HE WAS A SO MARVELOUS PIANIST! I wondered if anyone has posted one of his many Masterpieces! Yes, You did! KEN

[@skylermccloud78]

he was the best pianist there ever was

[@avuncular300]

Quite spectacular.

[@lilyalilya1808]

я нашла в интернете этого прекрасного пианиста два года тому назад и с тех пор это мой самый лучший друг послушала все что можно было найти с восторгом и теперь слушаю каждый день я не могу уже жить без его музыки и без его улыбкиfanrs for posting

[@313pookie313]

absolutely amazingly talented man

[@davidbatterson4634]

Brilliant. Unbelievable. The Master.

[@jessiejames7492]

he could play a classical piece and make it sound like rock and roll. he didnt just play piano. he was an entertainer to the fullest sense of the word....who is this entertaining these days?

[@raydisilvestro5102]

Truly gifted! Simply amazing.

[@michaelkappes8226]

A simply amazing performance, he was a true showman in every sense of the term. To see him play the piano like that is truly amazing.

[@hhbsmac]

I love how he finished it off with those few notes from the Three Stooges. Not sure if it was some other piece before or not tho

[@waynedanberry]

AWESOME! Piano Shredding in The '50's!

[@wheresthegovernance4350]

He was AWESOME!

[@jerseyscampi]

Brilliant! He will always be the king of the keyboard, such skill

[@brbro1869]

... More like The Queen of the Keyboard. (This is high compliment coming from me, and I think 'Lee' would approve of it... 😊)

[@MrJoeybabe25]

They don't have entertainers like him anymore!

[@davef.2811]

Always looked like he was having more fun than the audience collectively!

[@benirw1n]

2:29 dat left hand

[@alejandrolikewhoa]

The accuracy is unreal!!

[@dude998866]

unbelievable

[@carina7901]

Ben Irwin how is that even possible

[@MrHamthepig]

It's called practice, you too can get a fast walking bass with it.

[@suuri_toukeigaku_channel]

Ben Irwin beyond Art Tatum...

[@larryaldrich4351]

Liberace's lots of fun to watch. Awesome showmanship.

[@jkdm7653]

In the 1950s he had a weekly half-hour TV show...loved it!

[@zedster911]

A True Icon of 1960s TV... he was a Dandy LOL... I actually remember this! It was an inspiration.. although I play keyboards, and my fingers flit across the ivories at great neck speed... they are nothing like his/hers! I often wonder if the likes of Liberace actually experience what I experience... I sit at a piano and it is like some one else is inside of me playing?

[@alicer6786]

Good grief this guy was amazing!

[@juanmonge8]

Charisma. don't know what it is but he had it in spades.

[@georgekauffman2189]

He was simply the best !

[@Matt10670]

Just finished watching Roy Clark absolutely shred the same song on a guitar and now I'm watching Liberace burn the keys on the piano.

[@John-em8jn]

What an Amazing Pianist !

[@gdhse3]

It doesn't get any better than Liberace!

[@lianelayman7577]

+Marcy Benicaso You got that right.

[@frankwatt745]

Fats Waller is even better

[@mariettabaardt6240]

This man was a genius. Such an entertainer.

[@charlottelong8154]

He was magnificent!

[@SchizoMelody]

That's SICK! My new favorite piano version of one of my all time favorite tunes... freakin amazing. Lawrence Welk and Myron Floren did a version at this tempo as part of an accordian quartet on the Lawrence Welk show one time - it's on KZbin . that's the only other version I've heard that's near this fast.

[@georgenotsmith2804]

Look at that man having fun! Showing off & getting paid for it, too. Some people have all the luck.

[@cameronleesimpson5742]

Not all of them

[@honkytonkpiano]

Fantastic arrangement and superb playing. Thank you for posting this.

[@RosanneB]

I think Liberace was the greatest pianist in the world. I used to watch his TV show when I was younger. His version of As Time Goes By is my very favorite song. I recently discovered another pianist who is truly great. His name is AllenDale1962. I recommend his videos highly.

[@151disc]

INCREDIBLE!!!

[@skylermccloud78]

the king in his natural habitat

[@susanstaley8044]

He sure could move those keys, great talent

[@halfpintcowgirl4595]

There are words to describe the talent of this man , Genius

[@hrayrdallakyan]

how the hell...?! was this man a machine? amazing.

[@steinwaygrande3971]

He was brilliant. My wife and I saw him perform in Melbourne Australia in 1984. An evening we will never forget

[@CraigSutMusic]

There has never been an entertainer since Liberace, Chico Marx and even Mrs Mills/Winney Atwell. This guy is an absolute genius at the keyboard.

[@terrydean2225]

pure genius!!!!!!!!!

[@DeeMay]

I'm so jealous! What an entertainer. I saw him in Las Vegas when I was little!!!

[@barakah08]

Inspirational 😍

[@pianopappy]

He recorded this tune on a Columbia record in the early 1950's with an orchestra conducted by his brother George. I believe I still have it my attic.

[@magic672]

A hologram Liberace would be fun to see I'm concert!🎹🎹

[@Setsuzo17]

I sure miss his guy!

[@annabelle4709]

Perfection!

[@laurajphillips]

Such a talent, I loved Liberace, miss him, RIP Lee!

[@pamelafrancis4476]

The best!

[@noahvoegtly9471]

This guy was awesome

[@lianelayman7577]

+Noah Voegtly I'll say!

[@fredfloyd68]

What a talent...I just love his happiness...

[@cf2796]

Wow. Look at those fingers fly. Incredible.

[@Itxazoa]

Genial. Absolutamente el mejor que jamas ha existido; no solo por su talento, sino por su indiscutible gozo al ejecutar y su constante comunicacion con el publico. Jamas ha habido y dudo que lo haya, otro Liberace. Grande Maestro!!!

[@keithtimbrell2317]

liberace said he wasnt the greatest pianist of all time think alot of people would disagree . But he definitely connected with the people my mom had his show on every week he was always smiling and really enjoyed performing . he always had time for his fans which today theres not alot of stars that do . Ive never seen anybody play like liberace the speed and the way changed tunes really brought an enjoyment to everyone .

[@gregganderson5458]

It was piano playing like this that made him famous.

[@lianelayman7577]

+Gregg Anderson What really made him famous was his showmanship like the costumes and stuff.

[@gregganderson5458]

+Liane Layman - Yes, that was the icing on the cake. But, when this clip was recorded back in the early 1950's from his television show, he always wore standard concert attire, usually with long tails and black or white bow tie, without all the glitz and glamour. He first proved that he had the real goods with regards to his amazing piano artistry and musicianship. When I was six years old I remember hearing Liberace for the first time from my bedroom, my parents were watching his tv show in the living room. I got out of bed and went to hear and watch him because the music was so compelling. It was my inspiration to becoming a pianist. I like the old clips the best when it was just him and the piano.

[@JLNeis]

THE BEST OF THE BEST, MUSICAL GENIUS, LEE YOU WE RE GREAT.

[@6147tacticalcontrol]

He could certainly tickle the ivorys

[@jubalcalif9100]

Amen to that !! One of the greatest entertainers ever !!

[@johndavid8815]

He certainly tickled somebody’s ivory’s.

[@BuckyBrown-lt4ry]

That's what his boyfriend says.

[@js1.987]

@@johndavid8815 oh don’t make this weird

[@johndavid8815]

J 64 It was that way when I found it, I swear.

[@Bifstak]

He’s always smiling when he’s talking

[@janetedelman1314]

I love him , always have an stil do,

[@liberte5847]

The greatest craziest EVER gay musical entertainer in Hollywood history ! Merci beaucoup from Paris France.