Cliburn still an icon 50 years after winning Moscow piano contest

Associated Press - April 11, 2008 5:45 PM ET FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) - In the late 1950s and early 60s, a lanky blond Texan sold out concerts, caused riots when spotted in public and was so popular that one Elvis fan club changed its name to his. But Van Cliburn was no hip-shaking rock star: He was a classical pianist. He became a superstar after winning a prestigious Moscow music competition at the height of the Cold War. He returned triumphantly to a New York ticker tape parade - the only one ever given a classical musician. A Time magazine cover proclaimed him "The Texan Who Conquered Russia." Fifty years after that historic win, Cliburn's fan base isn't as large or mainstream. In fact, many Americans may not recognize the... [read full story]