Well, it seems it has been headed towards this for awhile. But, now it is official. The Liberace Museum has closed its doors citing "declining interest".
Jeffrey Koep, the chairman of the Liberace Foundation, cites the declining interest in Liberace himself as part of the problem.
He also cites the fact that as Liberace's fans have gotten grayer and older, new fans have not necessarily taken their place.
Unlike Elvis and the Rat Pack, both of whom were Las Vegas legends at the same time Lee was wowing crowds in the 1950s and 1960s, Liberace is not necessarily remembered as well as the others in today's media saturated times.
Both Elvis and Sinatra have estates, controlled by family, that make them powerhouses to be reckoned with and keep their departed loved ones in the eye of the public. Liberace did not have that. Nor did he have recording legacy that is kept alive through the licensing of his music.
His legacy seems to be his flair of showmanship whose roots flow to Lady Gaga and other modern singers.
A biopic, directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring Michael Douglas has been talked about but with Douglas battling stage 4 cancer, it's future is uncertain.
The museum opened in 1979 with 5,000 square feet and by 1988 had grown to 11,000. In its heyday, the Museum was a big hit and the most visited museum in town.
The Foundation says that profits have been declining for 12 years and cites its off-Strip locale as part of the problem.
They hope to continue with traveling exhibits but for now it's "Goodnight, Irene" for the Liberace Museum.
We are sorry to see it go.
