Vince Cardell

Vince Cardell (born Vincent M. Cardile) (September 16, 1938 – May 29, 2012) was an American pianist who was a protégé of Liberace. Cardell became a significant part of Liberace's act in the late 1970s and released several albums internationally. After separating personally and professionally from Liberace, Cardell continued as a professional pianist until his death.

Vince Cardell
Birth nameVincent M. Cardile
Born(1938-09-16)September 16, 1938
The Bronx
DiedMay 29, 2012(2012-05-29) (aged 73)
GenresEasy Listening, Traditional pop music
Occupation(s)pianist
Instrumentspiano
Years activemid 1970s – 2012
LabelsAVI Records
Associated actsLiberace
Websitehttp://artistecard.com/vincecardell

Early life and career

Cardell was born Vincent M. Cardile on September 16, 1938 in The Bronx, New York.[1] He was earning his living driving a truck delivering diapers,[2] and working as a lounge pianist at a Ramada Inn in New Jersey, when he was introduced to Liberace in 1975. He was immediately hired as Liberace's new stage chauffeur, driving the limousine onto the stage for Liberace's grand entrances.[2]

Career with Liberace

Eventually Liberace came to showcase Cardell's piano abilities alongside him on stage, introducing him as his protégé.[3] As Cardell became more integral to Liberace's act, they would wear identical outfits while performing duets.[2] Cardell lived at Liberace's home for six years, and although Vince was married and had children, Scott Thorson thought that Cardell and Liberace were almost certainly lovers.[2] Liberace produced Cardell's first albums, and he toured with Cardell until their personal relationship soured and their contractual obligations came to an end in 1981.[2]

Cardell's playing and flashy costumes were much like his mentor. He was reviewed as having a pleasant musical style, but with a tendency to play in an "overblown" manner.[2]

For the last six years of his professional life, Cardell was a fixture at the Gaylord Opryland in a show featuring a water fountain with synchronized lasers and other show lighting.[4] Cardell died on May 29, 2012.[1]

In film

The character of Billy Leatherwood in the HBO movie Behind the Candelabra was based on Cardell and played by Cheyenne Jackson.[5]

Discography
  • Liberace Presents Vince Cardell (1975) (duet with Liberace)[2] (AVI Records)
  • Piano Gems (1976) (duet with Liberace)[2] (Pye Records)
  • Vince (~1977) [2]
  • Ebb Tide (1981) (AVI Records)
  • Classics Live Behind The Candelabra (2013) (AGR Television Records)
  • Country Live Behind The Candelabra (2013) (AGR Television Records)
  • Christmas Live Behind The Candelabra (2013 AGR Television Records)

References
  1. "Vince Cardell". AGR Television Records. 2013. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
  2. Pyron, Darden Asbury (2013). Liberace: An American Boy. University of Chicago Press. pp. 313–315. ISBN 9780226117126.
  3. Doerschuk, Bob (1978). "Liberace". Contemporary Keyboard. GPI Publications. 4: 20–26.
  4. Chappell, Susan (2000). The Opryland Insider's Guide to Nashville. Ballantine Books. p. 22. ISBN 9780345408839.
  5. Votta, Rae (May 24, 2013). "Before You Watch Behind the Candelabra: A Liberace Primer". Vulture. New York Media LLC. Retrieved June 11, 2015. ... "Billy Leatherwood," who in the film is played by a perfectly sneering Cheyenne Jackson. The character is based on pianist Vince Cardell, who was Liberace's protégé...
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