By the time the eccentric master showman, Liberace, died in 1987, the gifted pianist had been dubbed “the kindhearted king of the keyboard.” It was said his one goal in life was “to make people happy on an international scale.”

His garish wardrobe – which included such items as a gold-lame jacket later copied by Elvis, and a $300,000 fox cape with a 16-foot train – dazzled crowds around the world.

He became known for such trademarks as a candelabra on the piano he played, and jokes about his violinist brother, George, but his success was nothing to laugh at. He reportedly earned about $5 million annually for more than two decades.

Born Wladziu (Polish for Walter) Valentino Liberace on May 16, 1919, he had achieved such world-wide success by 1954 that he broke concert attendance records and his television show was every bit as popular as I Love Lucy.

©Lori S. Anton