Rockettes join in celebration marking Liberace birth date

Friday, May 16, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

"It was wonderful. It was a nice tribute to Liberace," said Jamie James, publicist for the Liberace Museum, where the birthday bash was held.

The Rockettes, who are currently appearing at the Flamingo Hilton, and Liberace have special ties.

The legendary pianist brought the famed dancers to Las Vegas for the first time in 1980 to perform in his show at the Las Vegas Hilton.

Liberace later appeared with the Rockettes for his record-breaking Radio City Music Hall appearances in 1984, 1985 and his final performance in 1986.

Only one of the 20 Rockettes on Friday had worked with Liberace. Before the cake cutting, she recalled doing shows with the entertainer.

"I think Lee would have been incredibly happy," James said of the celebration.

Liberace died Feb. 4, 1987, at his home in Palm Springs, Calif.

He was born May 16, 1919, in West Allis, Wis.

His parents were classical musicians and dreamed that their child prodigy would follow in their footsteps. But Liberace's love of entertaining people led him on a different path.

He came to Las Vegas on a fluke and stayed to become one of the city's most prominent citizens, and the town's leading entertainer.

As part of the annual birthday celebration, the Liberace Museum will hold the first annual Liberace Impersonator Competition on Saturday.

Will Collins, who has been impersonating Liberace for 10 years in Las Vegas, performed a brief act Friday and will be on hand Saturday for the competition.