Those lucky enough to be in attendance are spotted in the background, watching with drinks in hand. The man who made it famous, Steve Rubell, was only in charge from 1977 to 1980. With someone like Diana Ross at your venue, you wont be hurting for attendees. If you thought youd seen it all when it came to crazy Studio 54 performances, youd be mistaken. Mattresses in the basement were frequently the site of trysts, while the infamous balcony was designed complete with easy-to-clean surfaces as a place for couples to get it on. Schrager said: The scene outside of the club could get nasty. The stunt was well-planned and executed by experienced acrobats, so thankfully no one was hurt. While speaking with Harper's Bazaar, Hall admitted that she was incredibly overwhelmed with the level of celebrity in the dance club: Things came to a halt for the original incarnation of Studio 54 on December 14, 1978, when the IRS sent dozens of agents to the club. When they walked into the club there was a palpable energy, things got more exciting and everyone wanted to be around them. The streets were so packed with people that wanted to get into the Studio that attendees were literally being thrown inside. Left: A dancer is swept into a spectrum of lights during 1978. It was more than just a club, it was a place that gave magic to a city that desperately needed it in an era when gas prices were rising and people were losing their jobs. . Photographer Gene Spatz captured celebrities including John Lennon, Michael Jackson, Mick Jagger at the iconic New York City 1970s nightclub. This way they avoided the extreme fees that came with a liquor license while still being kind of legal. Studio 54's golden age came to an end when the federal government came after Schrager and Rubell for tax evasion. Yet, Studio 54s sensibility of inclusion and freedom lives on through the books, films, and fashion that it has inspired ever since. What made Studio 54 different, however, was that drugs were practically encouraged inside. Contemporary Black Writers Whose Must-Read Works Are Shaping Todays Literary Landscape, Hello, Im Johnny Cash: Facts About the Man In Black, Wild Office Pranks That Evil Coworkers Have Pulled on Each Other, 6 Sites to Design Custom Photo Mugs for Gifts or Keepsakes, Discover the Best BT TV Packages for Your Home Entertainment Needs. Even after the original owners went to prison for skimming millions of dollars, the club stayed open until 1990, although the magic of the first years never returned. At the Purple magazine party, a naked couple in a clear bathtub perform for an audience in 1977. Studio 54 furthers the nostalgia that people still have about '70s New York, as pointed out by Goldberger, a period of time that has been revisited recently, from Patti Smith's book Just Kids to . Studio 54 wasand, arguably, remainsthe world's most renowned and legendary disco. One club goer claimed that a doctor was hanging outside the club with everyone and that he came prepared with a huge bottle of Quaaludes: While some clubs existed to create the a party atmosphere, Studio 54 was meant to represent something special a place where everyone was welcome regardless of who they were out on the streets. It wasnt until a few years later that Rubell would get busted for tax evasion and end up in jail. That all changed when Bianca Jagger - Mick Jaggers wife at the time - decided to have her birthday party at the club on May 2, 1977. Neither the way he captured it nor the period is replaceable., Lowen says she hopes to exhibit the work at some point, to share it with a wider audience and expose his legacy. And on its last night under initial management, Diana Ross serenaded Rubell and Schrader -- of course surrounded by the likes of Jack Nicholson, Farrah Fawcett, and Sylvester Stallone, among others. 29 Pictures That Show Just How Insane Studio 54 Really Was. In 1977, at the height of the disco craze, a club opened at 254 West 54th Street in New York City. Contact Gabriel H. Sanchez at gabriel.sanchez@buzzfeed.com. For all its inaccessibility, Studio 54 produced some of the most iconic images of nightlife in the late . It was a place of great exclusivity, but also a place where one went to be photographed. Come anytime you like, and youll get in. After the invitation she became an institution and showed up whenever she was free. To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories, To revisit this article, select My Account, thenView saved stories. A playful, intimate moment between a pair of partygoers, circa 1978. At the time, she would have been in the midst of releasing her 1977 album, Cherished. Thats why Sylvester Stallone decided he needed to pay a visit to the most famous disco in the United States. The move this woman pulls off seems to defy her age in every way shes flexible enough to wrap her legs around him and strong enough to hold herself up by his arms. While Capote is pictured here in a very nice tailored suit, it wasnt out of the question for the author to show up to the club in a bathrobe and a pair of slippers. Getty Images. A photograph of Yoko Ono and John Lennon by Gene Spatz (year unknown). The club also had doves and a snake present for visitors on different nights. Of course, playing it cool was a necessity when inside the club. Celebrities like Mick Jagger were routinely in the building and cutting a rug on the dance floor, so if you wanted to dance with a Rolling Stone you could dance with a Rolling Stone. Nightlife anywhere was sure to have drugs involved were talking about the 1970s, here. Instead, they used architects who designed popular restaurants, lighting people who worked on Broadway shows, and for sound they used people who were used to more underground clubs. Given that it used to be an actual studio, the interior had ample lighting equipment to create pulsating light shows. The spectacle is complete with their revealing outfits, but by Studio 54 standards, their dress is modest. When Studio 54 closed two years later, on Feb. 4, 1980, Diana Ross was there to serenade owners Rubell and Schrager with one final song. Today there's no way that someone would just be able to ride through a club on a horse. (AP Photo/Quinto) Date: 02/04/1979. See Rare Photos Inside Studio 54 Nightclub, RS Recommends: Rad Powers E-Bike Offers a New (and Better) Way to Commute, How Vaccines and Masks Are Making Broadway Safe Again, See Nanci Griffith Cover the Rolling Stones No Expectations, Man Charged in Shooting of Black Teen Ralph Yarl, Elon and Tucker Are Finally Consummating Their Epic Bromance, Go Behind the Scenes of Internet Golden Girl Emma Chamberlains Rolling Stone Cover Shoot, Meet The Creator Who Got TikTok Talking About Spanking One Dance At A Time, Curtains Close on Final 'Phantom of the Opera' Broadway Show After 35 Years, Bill Hader Didn't Know Carol Burnett Was His Cousin Until She Emailed Him. In the very, very far left you can see me I didnt know that I was in the picture., Persson on this photo: "I think this is the same horse Bianca Jagger turned up on for her birthday in 1977. This photograph comes just before the release of Off the Wall, when he was still remembered most for his youthful vocals in The Jackson 5. While speaking with Harper's Bazaar, Minelli explained that she didn't know and didn't care for the Studio's plans to spin her records while she danced for an audience of onlookers: Even though Andy Warhol and Bianca Jagger look quite chummy here this would be one of the last times that they were friendly. The people who worked at Studio 54 were so ill equipped for the craziness on opening night that they broke down under the stress of the crowd. From all the stories about the club it sounds like everything was dusted in a fresh layer of cocaine. Typical of the late 70s, the two are smoking. Find Studio 54 Party stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. When the Guardian asked Harry which club she liked hanging out at the most she was honest about her allegiance to CBGBs in spite of brilliant outfit in this photo, she explained: It didnt matter if you were famous, straight, gay, or trans, you were welcome in Studio 54. However even if you were a regular before walking onto the dance floor proper you had to pass through the coat check area where all of the sound funneled through. It was a mix of gay, straight, rich and poor . In its first year alone, it managed to pull in approximately $7 million dollars! POBA is not an acronym, the nonprofit organizations name is derived from, phowa, a Tibetan word meaning the transformation of consciousness at death to begin a new life. It must have felt like a raw, unbridled energy was unleashed in Manhattan every Saturday night. We think of him as a gentleman of the paparazzi [of that era], she says. Throughout its three-year lifespan under Rubell and Schrager, Studio 54 served as a lab to experiment with everything from illicit drugs to gender. On that special evening the party goers were treated to snowdrifts made of glitter that nearly suffocated the dancers with its sparkling lusciousness. The club acted as an alternative reality to the late 70s in New York City where homophobia and racism ran rampant. Myra Scheer, an employee and frequent visitor to the club explained: One of the regulars at the club was Liz Taylor, the star of films like Cleopatra and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and when she decided that she wanted to have her birthday party at Studio 54 she had one very specific request - she wanted the whole place filled with flowers. Take a closer look and see why these rare photos are still discussed decades later! It wasnt until he was gone, and I had brought everything home and put it in storage, that I began to open up these envelopes and discover his work.. Rolling Stone is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Showing Editorial results for studio 54. From the moment it opened its doors in 1977, the era-defining club was, says writer Bob Colacello in Rizzolis Studio 54, a sociological phenomenon and a historical event. In a 1996 interview with Vanity Fair, Diane von Furstenberg concurred: I had more fun at Studio 54 than in any other nightclub in the world which says a lot, coming from a doyenne of the New York Fashion Week schedule. If you wanted to dress in next to nothing and wear lots of makeup, you were encouraged. Park Avenue hostess Nan Kempner said that Capote punched her in the face one night, nearly starting a brawl. Club founders Ian Schrager and . Inside Studio 54, you could smoke just about whatever you wanted and sit however you liked. However, even after the club had closed its doors the clean up crew would find party favors from the night before. Unfortunately, Studio 54 came up against some problems during its successful run. Relive some of Studio 54's most classic nights in the gallery above. 22 photos that show the grit and the glamour of Studio 54, New York City's most infamous club. For 33 short months the club was the height of cool in Manhattan, with club goers who managed to get past the velvet rope falling into a deluge of drugs and debauchery.Even after the original owners went to prison for skimming millions of dollars, the club . Even if someone made it into the club that doesnt mean they were allowed to go to the basement because thats were celebrities and the super wealthy went to have sex. But where does someone keep piles of quaaludes and drink tickets? A-list celebrities were just one of the appeals of Studio 54, there were also cult celebrities who were the lifeblood of the underground party scene. According to bartender Scott Taylor, there were only a few bartenders doing the work of an army. breonna taylor protests black lives matter trump peaceful transfer of power. Being a spouse to legendary partier Jagger, its no wonder she enjoyed a good get-together herself. Rather than hand out the clothing at the door of raffling them off, the club owners just tossed the clothing items off the balcony which allowed for anyone who wanted one of the expensive pieces to simply reach out and grab it. Left: A performer on stilts manages to bust a move in 1981. The night peaked with Diana Ross singing to Rubell and Schrager from the DJ booth. Co-owners Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager were arrested for skimming more than $2 million from the club. Enjoy these Studio 54 photos? Disco influenced house music, techno and hip-hop and the performances of stars such as Madonna and Lady Gaga. Sometimes the venue hired dancers or had fashion models walking the crowds. Indeed, club regulars ranged from Mick Jagger and Andy Warhol to Elizabeth Taylor and David Bowie. Under the helm of owners Ian Schrager and Steve Rubell, Studio 54 became globally renowned as a cultural institution for its lavish, over-the-top spectacles and sartorial displays. Vote up the Studio 54 snapshots that make you want to queue up and bribe a doorman. Left: Outside Studio 54, someone arrives to the club on a horse for the third annual Halloween party in 1978. Andy Warhol, Jerry Hall, Debbie Harry, Truman Capote, and Paloma Picasso. In the late 1970s the easiest way to do this was to make sure the flow of free drugs never slowed down. After Lowen uploaded digital versions of the photographs to a secure vault, POBA staff helped crop and curate the material, highlighting the value of his artistic eye. For his 50th birthday in August 1978 Warhol received 5,000 free drink tickets and a garbage can full of $1,000 worth of brand new single dollar bills. Studio 54 has gone down in history as the ultimate nightclub, a place where everyone who was anyone went to get down, boogie, and be seen. Even if you werent having sex with someone every night, you felt like you could, says former editor of Interview, Bob Colacello. A guaranteed internet breaker, if it had been invented. You might not think of famous authors as the rowdiest group of people, but Truman Capote didnt fit into any stereotypes. The club was his concept of 15 minutes of fame to the extreme. Studio 54, arguably the most famous club in the world, was located in New York City on, you guessed it, 54th street. They served copious amounts of alcohol, played the loudest music and sometimes had mini food fights on the dancefloor. She sued Warhol's estate because she said that she was made to look "dumb." See these 21 photos from Studio 54 that prove it was just as iconic as everyone says. But then Rubell came up with something brilliant - the velvet rope. Rubells connections meant celebrities were some of the first people to set foot inside, and its reputation as an exclusive hub for the rich and famous was sparked. Under Rubells ownership, however, the strange, the weird and the scary were given a place to flourish beneath the lights of the nightclub. Diane von Furstenberg lounging with her husband-to-be, media mogul Barry Diller. Looking back on her childhood Barrymore said: There were other dance clubs in New York City, but none of them shared the you had to be there power of Studio 54. Not much is known about what his wife got up to, but Williams was known for turning into the life of the party after ingesting certain substances. Not only were people consistently agitated with Rubell telling them that they couldnt come in because of the way they were dressed or looked, but there were so many people that it increasingly became hard to keep the unruly crowds in line. Right: People wait in line outside of Studio 54 in 1978. Even though these two co-owners couldnt be any more different - Schrager was a straight lawyer and Rubell was an out gay restaurant owner - they were the perfect pair to run Studio 54. Model Bianca Jagger, in an off-the-shoulder number, is seen riding a white horse at the entrance of the club (1977), Dancers showcase a performance on metallic cushions amid a curious crowd at a New Years Eve party (1977), A star-studded New Year's Eve at Studio 54: Halston kissing Diana Ross, Jack Haley Jr with his wife Liza Minnelli, Bianca Jagger, and, of course, Andy Warhol (1978), Model and musician Grace Jones shimmers in a sparkling bodysuit as she performs at a New Years Eve party (1978), Soul legend Curtis Mayfield makes an extravagant entrance outside the club with his wife and friend in their Rolls-Royce (1977), Debbie Harry sticks out her tongue, while Steve Rubell is sprawled out on top of her and friends (1980), A costumed party-goer at a Halloween event sporting a platinum blonde wig, 18th-century-inspired face paint, lace bustier and white bow tie (1981), Diane von Furstenberg lounging with her husband-to-be, media mogul Barry Diller (1978), 3 products that all dermatologists use in the morning to prevent ageing, 29 stunning pictures and videos that take you inside Antilia, Mukesh Ambani & Nita Ambani's residence, I didn't practice the triple hair wash technique until a hairdresser told me this, A crash course in clashing prints: Bollywood celebrity edition celebs, Everything you need to know about Frieze London 2019, Chanels travelling photo exhibit hits Dubai. As a mood-boosting tonic, and at a time when our festive calendars have been curtailed by social-distancing measures, Vogue delves into Studio 54s world of excess and extravagance. Here, see a selection of exclusive images of Spatzs work for the first time. A man wears a gold costume, eyeliner, and a headdress while dancing. Tabs gifs by your friend Martini Ambassador. For a brief period of time Studio 54 changed the pace of New York night life. Once you see the pictures of the famous faces and outrageous antics that took place inside, it wont be too surprising that Studio 54 was able to reach such high success. The two are almost unrecognizable, however, thanks to the cream thats been smeared all over their faces and clothes. Many of the staff of Studio 54 including Rubell died as a result of it. Robin Williams dancing with his then-wife Valerie in 1979. It took owners Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager just six weeks to . September 25, 2020 07:00 AM. The club was a tabloid fixture. Regularly attended by celebrities such as Andy Warhol, Elizabeth Taylor, Mick Jagger, Bianca Jagger, Jerry Hall, Debbie Harry, Grace Jones, Michael Jackson . Aside from the dancing and debauchery, one thing that everyone remembers about Studio 54 is the clubs interior design. In the clubs first year open, Cher showed up to the scene at Studio 54. Off the dance floor, people mingle over drinks in the lounge area during 1977. Another thing it often had, as a result, was strange performances. Rubell had gone to jail for tax evasion, and the new owners kept the good times going until 1994, by which time attendance had dropped off. Schraeger discussed the concept behind the theatrics with Architectural Digest: On the opening night of the club there was no way that someone could get in if they showed up late. Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager opened the legendary club in 1977, and while it only lasted under their management for three years, it quickly cemented itself as the quintessential enclave for celebrities, fashionable disco-lovers, and their favorite illicit activities. When Williams visited Studio 54, he joined a fleet of other actors such as John Travolta, Richard Gere, Al Pacino and John Belushi, who all set foot in the iconic destination to see what it was about. Ian Schrager, one of the co-owners and founders of Studio 54 explained his idea behind the design: Explosive mayhem is the perfect way to describe this scintillating night club. Dancers showcase a performance on metallic cushions amid a curious crowd at a New Years Eve party. . My house now is filled with his art, and I hope others will appreciate it too.. Author and party attendee Anthony Haden-Guest told Rolling Stone that there were only about 150 people at the party initially, but it grew into a wild event. He said: While a lot of celebrities went to Studio 54 on their own on the search for something specific, Robin Williams was known for bringing his wife to this extremely hot dance club. New York: Photo shows crowd waiting outside Studio 54, the popular New York City disco. Christopher had sold Miramax on a Boogie Nights-type story about a clueless New Jersey kid named Shane (Ryan Phillippe) who was drawn to the flame that was Studio 54 in the late 1970s, when good . Took owners Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager just six weeks to as everyone.! An army Studio 54 that prove it was a mix of gay, straight, rich and poor a! Problems during its successful run the first time no way that someone would just be able to ride through club... Floor, people mingle over drinks in hand such as Madonna and Lady Gaga closed its doors clean... How Insane Studio 54 different, however, thanks to the cream thats smeared! Had mini food fights on the dancefloor 70s, the interior had ample equipment... 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