BACK AT PIANO

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30367, 17 February 1964, Page 2

BACK AT PIANO

Liberace Has Recovered (N.Z. Press Assn.— Copyright) HOLLYWOOD, February .16. The pianist, Liberace, is back at the keyboard after p serious illness which, he said, almost claimed his life, United Press International reported. The ever-smiling performer suffered an internal ailment last November when in Pittsburgh and spent four weeks in a hospital before returning to California. Having recovered, Liberace has returned to work, performing in warm States such as Florida and California. Liberace lives 'in a Hollywood Hills mansion laden with furniture and pianos—some real, others miniature. The house 'is approached along mustard-coloured steps to a burgundy carpet that leads to a gold-painted door. Interviewed at breakfast by United Press International's Hollywood reporter, Liberace was dressed in the brightlystyled clothes for which he is known. In this case he wore a green shirt, checkered trousers of the Arabian Nights type, and gold-edged slippers which were turned up ait the toes. “White Heat” Fame With such flamboyance, Liberace and his associates have earned millions of dollars. A one-time television sensation, Liberace is not seen much on home screens now. He came from the era of American television which saw such big performers as Milton Serie, Jack Webb and others, none of whom appear much today. Liberace refers to his and their past popularity' as “white heat” successes which would be difficult to duplicate in today’s fast-moving television world, Which be says is impersonal. As an example, he said: “The audience took everything I did personally. I remember once I showed a picture of my house on my television show and told the audience to drop by when they were in California. They took it personally and thousands came by. Gladys, my housekeeper, clocked 400 visitors one Sunday afternoon,”