No other nightclub has been able to rival it in reputation and A-list guests since. She sued Warhol's estate because she said that she was made to look "dumb." Sylvester Stallone and Sheryl Slocum, 1977. This photograph was taken at the first Halloween party and shows two men dressed in taboo fetish gear, one man miming cutting the other. Here, Vogue presents the best looks from Studio 54. Former busboy Scott Bitterman wrote about his experience working at the club and how he knew he had to work there from the moment he stepped foot inside: Rubell was open about the fact that he didnt want normal or schlubby looking people inside his club. Not that theres anything wrong with that. In 1978, Rubell told New York magazine that only the mafia does better than us. A guaranteed internet breaker, if it had been invented. While he was working in the late Seventies, I had gotten married, moved to Louisville, Kentucky, and wasnt a part of Genes day-to-day life, Lowen tells Rolling Stone. 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. In this picture, well-known English actor Michael Caine is laughing and dancing with his wife Shakira, while partygoers frolic on behind them. They were hired for the New Years Eve party of 1977. In this picture, you can see doorman Mark Benecke sweeping the expectant crowd for the best individuals to allow past the front doors. Studio 54 was crazy all year long, but things got especially wacky for Halloween. 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. 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. New York Daily News Archive / Getty Images. In the photo are Olympic athlete-Bruce Jenner, the King of Pop-Michael Jackson, actress and model-Valerie Perrine and Jane Fonda. Owner Steve Rubell is standing in his office in this photograph after, he claimed, federal police raided the area in search of drugs. A party was staged the night before their sentences began. As long as you acted like you were supposed to be there youd probably get back in the next night to party with even more celebrities. In case you dont recognize her, thats Dolly Parton at an afterparty in Studio 54. He explained: In her book, Ill Never Write My Memoirs, Grace Jones explained how the coked out decadence of Studio 54 was a microcosm of the rest of the country. 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. He told NY Mag that Steve Rubell wanted to have a bunch of hot, gay bartenders working the club, and because of that most of them spent their time working and not doing their jobs - which is how Taylor managed to keep his. Co-owner Ian Schrager said: When working at a place thats known for excess, its not out of the ordinary for the low people on the totem pole to end up in the same situations as the A-listers who theyre serving. The criteria for entry werent clear-cut you simply had to have the look and style they wanted to see inside the establishment. Highly respected clothing designer Diane von Furstenberg is perched on a couch with media mogul Barry Diller. This was taken in the ladies room. While it lasted, many photographers flocked to the bacchanal to capture the celebrities and other lucky denizens as they danced and snorted and frolicked under that iconic Man in the Moon with the coke spoon sculpture. Actor and author Chris Lawford shares a dance with Mick Jagger's wife, Bianca. Once inside people were allowed to be whoever they wanted to be, cutting loose and grooving with everyone, it was the place to go when someone needed to escape. One night when the club didnt have anything specific planned they used some free pieces of clothing that they were given from one of the local brands. In this 1978 picture, crowds line up for entry into Manhattan's renowned disco and nightclub Studio 54, located at 254 West 54th Street. The man who made it famous, Steve Rubell, was only in charge from 1977 to 1980. Studio 54 was the place to be in its heyday. Originally opened as an opera house in 1927, Studio 54 became a popular nightclub in 1977. Right: Clubgoers inhale nitrous oxide (also known as laughing gas) on the dance floor during the 1977 Halloween party. On finding Studio 54's books, it was discovered that a skim was in operation on up to 80% of the profits. Bokfrlaget Max Strm/Hasse Persson Studio 54. But Nicky's love affair with the infectious dance music pre-dates Studio 54. Elizabeth Taylor shimmering in a glamorous iridescent bodysuit while chatting to legendary fashion designer Halston. . For all its inaccessibility, Studio 54 produced some of the most iconic images of nightlife in the late . In 1977, at the height of the disco craze, a club opened at 254 West 54th Street in New York City. A look back at the epicenter of NYC nightlife, presented by Getty Images. 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. She was such an important part of the club for its first year that they tried to make a part of their one year anniversary celebration. She made appearances at the nightclub more than once throughout the years and was there on its last day of operation under Steve Rubell in 1980. In front is famous artist Andy Warhol. Schrager was released on $50,000 bond and the disco was open the next night. Send us a tip using our anonymous form. In December of 1978, dozens of federal agents descended on the club after receiving a tip about their sneaky money practices. While that was a Monday night, the clubs one evening off, they made an exception for the actress and rock star wife. When they walked into the club there was a palpable energy, things got more exciting and everyone wanted to be around them. Lorna Luft, Jerry Hall, Debbie Harry, Truman Capote, and Paloma Picasso at Interview party at Studio 54 . Dancer Rudolf Nureyev initiates nine-year-old Ricky Schroder into the delights of disco dancing at Studio 54 in New York on Sunday, April 2, 1979. Simply by virtue of being outside the club someone like Streisand could paint themselves as a cool celebrity rather than a stodgy A-lister who sat in their penthouse reading Russian literature all not. Rebecca Schoenkopf. Important for the co-owners to make the evening special. Under Rubells ownership, however, the strange, the weird and the scary were given a place to flourish beneath the lights of the nightclub. However, its likely that the club wouldnt have made the front page of the post if it werent for Cher. Club founders Ian Schrager and Rubell were sent to jail in 1980. Diane von Furstenberg lounging with her husband-to-be, media mogul Barry Diller. Today there's no way that someone would just be able to ride through a club on a horse. He saw the club as a place where people became objects rather than something flesh and blood. At the time Jerry Hall was just getting used to being a celebrity and she had stars in her eyes. Typical of the late 70s, the two are smoking. Co-owners Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager were arrested for skimming more than $2 million from the club. Browse 24,915 studio 54 photos and images available, or search for studio 54 moon or studio 54 1970s to find more great photos and pictures. Tabs, Fri., Sept. 25, 2020. (The pair later married but not until 2001). Four women in shimmery dresses sit in the club's lounge area. Left, male partygoers sport dresses. Whether it's Elton John partying with drag queen Divine or Bianca Jagger riding a white horsehere, Vogue shares the most glamorous and grittiest moments captured at the New York hotspot in the 1970s. At this point, the club had been closed down and reopened under new ownership. 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. Inside Studio 54, you could smoke just about whatever you wanted and sit however you liked. Bianca Jagger appears on horseback for her birthday. Even if Bowie was in the normal person phase of his career, he was always looking for new sounds. On finding Studio 54s books, it was discovered that a skim was in operation on up to 80% of the profits. Left, male partygoers sport dresses.Bokfrlaget Max Strm/Hasse Persson Studio 54. It touched all your senses and left you wanting more. 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. Select from premium Studio 54 Party of the highest quality. Who knows if that's really what Warhol meant to do? As you can see, this was long before his dramatic transformation and eventual controversies in the public eye. Studio 54s peak was intense but short-lived. She was an actress and human rights activist who was married to Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger at the time. Here, see a selection of exclusive images of Spatzs work for the first time. The two are engaged in intimate conversation and posed in a relaxed manner, with Furstenbergs stiletto-clad foot thrust over the edge of the seat. In an oversized down coat, obviously. She explained that they were shoving their party in everyones face because America needed to have their own excesses reflected back at them. Being a spouse to legendary partier Jagger, its no wonder she enjoyed a good get-together herself. There was an anything goes attitude to sex at Studio 54. 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. When youre a wealthy celebrity, youre going to want to have the best of the best. Michael Jackson and Steven Tyler at a Beatlemania party. But where does someone keep piles of quaaludes and drink tickets? Diana Ross and Liza Minnelli sang, while Rubell blasted out My Way. This would not be the only time the nightclub had a horse on its premises, nor would it be the only animal ever invited inside. Here's why it became so famous. While many clubgoers enjoyed this aspect of Studio 54, it got them lots of attention from the authorities. It was relatively common for famous figures to throw their birthday parties inside Studio 54. Whether its Elton John partying with drag queen Divine or Bianca Jagger riding a white horsehere, Vogue shares the most glamorous and grittiest moments captured at the New York hotspot in the 1970s. The thing he appreciated was someone being different. 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. My house now is filled with his art, and I hope others will appreciate it too.. Enjoy these Studio 54 photos? The black-and-white photographs included scenes from iconic clubs like Studio 54 and Xenon; shots of Carrie Fisher, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Mary Tyler Moore and Robert Redford; as well quirky New York City street life tableaus in the 1970s and Eighties. Rather than show how scared they were, the $1.5 million renovation showed that the co-owners were putting on a brave face. In front is famous artist Andy Warhol. Its immersive atmosphere and coveted location on West 54th street in Manhattan made the spot an instant hit. 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. With the help of their financial backer the two were able to hire enough people to rebuild the inside of the theater, add the lights and designs, and paint the entire thing within six weeks. Cher dancing at Studio 54. Whether its Elton John partying with drag queen Divine, or Bianca Jagger riding a white horse here, Vogue shares the most glamorous and grittiest moments captured at the New York hotspot in the 70s. Schrager explained the concept to Vanity Fair: In order to keep things fresh inside the club, the co-owners often put together a series of theme nights. And, who can forget the iconic image of Bianca Jagger riding a white horse through the clubs entrance? She explained: There was always something crazy happening at Studio 54, whether it was snowing, or there was a bridge for dancers to use so they could groove in the air, it was. Warhols friend Bob Colacello wrote in his memoir: To create a club that lives up to the theatrical standards of the Rocketman himself, Rubell and Schrager did everything they could to turn the former theater into an experience. It was, after all, her fun yet insightful personality that won over the hearts of her many fans. No matter how wild the request the co-owners would make it happen. Elizabeth Taylor shimmering in a glamorous iridescent bodysuit while chatting to legendary fashion designer Halston. This potentially dangerous display marked the end of the nightclubs first year open. ( the pair later married but not until 2001 ) would just able! Was released on $ 50,000 bond and the disco was open the next night an... Four women in shimmery dresses sit in the normal person phase of his,... 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