Here is Liberace performing The Bumble Boogie, otherwise known as The Flight of The Bumblebees taken from his classic hit television series of the 50's.
When I was kid, I always wondered why he was so rich and famous. Now I see why. This performance is off the charts! And he makes it look so easy by smiling and winking at the camera. At one point, Liberace was the highest paid entertainer in the world -- this proves exactly why. Mad skills!!!
@@Discrimination_is_not_a_right some people are too eager to attribute genius. Some people are too reluctant. I'm not sober enough to pass judgment either way. Skittles.
"I thought Liberace was great. That guy was smiling while playing his can off, and he wasn’t missing. And all those rings on his fingers didn’t impair anything. He wasn’t playing simple stuff, but he made it look so simple." -Allen Toussaint, Keyboard Magazine, Nov. 12, 2015
Bobbie LaVanway He was an outstanding performer, how to-captivate an audience and even involve them as well. I remember watching him on the t.v.when I was a kid! He drew people in who were there in the studio and also people at home .his outstanding talent and captivating personality not to mention his genius made him a super star then , and I believe he would have commanded the very same accolades in whatever era that he played!
My mother ADORED him - especially when he winked at the camera!! I believe she thought he was winking exclusively at her!! S-m-i-l-e. Happy memories before we knew everyone's lifestyles and personal business!!!
He defintely could have become a virtuoso; he was outplaying his piano teacher when he was only eight years old. He was also a guest soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra when he was 19 or 20. But he learned early on that he could get laughs during his performances and he delighted in engaging his audience. He loved making people happy, a natural born entertainer.
He was a virtuoso, full stop! He brought classical piano to people who would never have heard of it otherwise, and introduced an older generation to pop.
Philo68 on the road, very generous with his crew... my friend ran lights for his show in the early '70's... if he liked the work he would get a $200.00 tip/show.... that was a week's pay back then!
Always loved his playing in any style, but when I think of the Bumble Boogie, I always think of him and those old shows. He was always a perfect gentleman and knew how to connect with people.
Great music and he was fun to watch too. My daughter used to pretend she was playing and immitated him down to his "Thank you, Thank you." with that big smile on his face.
His talent and speed and dexterity were just half of it. Others on RU-vid have those. It was his charisma, his presence, the showmanship, the smile, the arms raised at the end, the voice when talking to the audience that made him unique, that made Liberace a superstar, a spectacle not only of sound, but of sight.
Is smile is like a good drug. It's so INFECTIOUS!!!!!!!😁 He was an extremely talented man. Even professional concert pianists pale in comparison. PALE!!!! Liberace also seemed like the most generous and sincerest nice person, too. He also seemed genuinely humbled by his fame and talent. Liberace was a showman, not a show off.
Lee was having a pure blast on this along with his audience. I thought he looked quite handsome with his original nose, (he had it "fixed" later). Miss this super classy guy!
+spideraxis YES ! His beautiful smile, could melt my soul. It seems God takes something away from someone...and gives a great talent in return.Such a mystery.
Wow, with just 2 hands & 10 fingers, he flew all over those keys. My parents & grandparents made us watch his show & they'd marvel at his talented performances.
Nicholas Rimsky-Korsakov - my favorite composer, and Flight of the Bumblebee my favorite tune played by my favorite performer. Can't get any better than this.
I think Liberace's 'flamboyant' personality made him such a natural for mass media entertainment - engaging, funny, warm. But he was supremely talented with the keyboard, made it look easy. So brilliant.
I tried to explain how good his guy was to my friends but couldn't find a word to give him justice,so I showed the video and his jaw is still on the floor right along side of mine. HAS HE EVER MADE A MISTAKE OR MISSED A KEY ? He does not even break a sweat !
I'm always astounded when I watch clips of Liberace, not just his musical chops but the brilliant persona he created, unapologetic over the top flamboyance but with a kind of humble golly gee midwestern boy charm, a split personality, his homosexuality a closely guarded secret but his style and mannerisms left little doubt of it to anyone in the audience savvy enough to get it.
I once saw him at the London Palladium. He was on stage for over an hour and he kept the audience spellbound for all that time. Not just a phenominally gifted musician but a true entertainer and showman.
I'm only sorry I never got to meet him. There was never such a showman before him and one would have a hell of a time convincing me that one will ever come after him.
I love the young Liberace videos too . To me , when I think Liberace , I always think of his beautiful sequence suits , and his rings .... but these ones are so great . He looked so happy , and if you can watch this performance , and not smile atleast once , there must be something wrong . Bravo Liberace
WOW! Look at those fingers fly! I remember seeing him on TV when I was a child (born in 1955). My mom told me that when his show first aired, he would get in trouble for looking into the camera, but he said that was where most of the viewers were! I always loved how he would wink while looking into the camera, as he did at 2:09. Great pianist and showman! Thank you for sharing this great performance.
That was "Flight Of The Bumble Bee" On steroids!!! lol .. His hands don`t stay still, now do they? Liberace, was a true master of his craft beyond all doubt!!
Actually, he did this pops stuff mostly on his television show. I got to see a concert of his when I was a much younger musician. He played all classical, and not just the popular stuff. He played a Liszt concerto that I looked up in the music library and the different dynamics on different fingers .. wow. He did it all seemingly effortlessly. I know from my own experience that in order to be able to do the campy stuff and look like it's easy, you have to have some fine chops. His were Very Fine
The Liberace version is certainly very good indeed. As well as the good sound, a lot of the excitement comes tight camera angles on those hands.... these done before zoom lenses were available, so the camera really was close over his shoulder. Pretty intimidating, but he kept his cool on LIVE TV.
