Elvis Presley And Liberace: The Surprising Connection Between Two Legends

At first glance, Elvis Presley and Liberace couldn’t seem more different. Elvis was the hip-swiveling rock 'n' roll icon who had parents worried about their teens' moral compass. Meanwhile, Liberace was the flamboyant, rhinestone-studded classical pianist who became the favorite entertainer of grandmothers everywhere. But scratch beneath the surface, and you’ll find these two legends had more in common than you might think.

As Richard Zoglin, author of the fascinating new book Elvis in Vegas: How the King Reinvented the Las Vegas Show, exclusively shares with Closer Weekly, the connection between Elvis and Liberace is one that many fans don’t know about—and it’s pretty surprising. When Elvis first hit the Vegas stage in 1956, audiences weren’t quite sure what to make of this snarling kid from Tupelo, Mississippi. That’s when Elvis’ manager, the legendary Colonel Tom Parker, arranged a meeting between the young rocker and the seasoned showman Liberace.

Learning from the Master of Glitz

“Liberace was incredibly supportive of Elvis, and Elvis definitely learned something from him,” Richard explains. “Liberace had an over-the-top showmanship that Elvis found inspiring. He started wearing those flashy gold suits, much like Liberace, and that’s when Elvis really found his Las Vegas style.” Liberace wasn’t shy about giving advice either. He told Elvis, “You need more glitz in your act,” and that advice played a huge role in shaping the iconic Elvis we know today.

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A Deeper Bond Than Meets the Eye

But the connection between these two titans of entertainment goes even deeper. “Both Elvis and Liberace had twin brothers who tragically passed away at birth,” Richard reveals. “That’s an incredible coincidence and suggests there was a mystical connection between them.” Both men were incredibly driven performers, carving out their own unique paths in the world of entertainment. Their friendship lasted throughout Elvis’ life, proving that their bond was more than just professional.