Studio 54, both the interior and the street outside, allowed people to dance off their problems and be apart of something at the same time. A woman holds a makeshift pipe for a man as he attempts to smoke an unidentified substance in 1981. 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. Schrager explained: Even stars who people dont think of as party people like Barbara Streisand had to show their faces at least a couple of nights out of the month at Studio 54. A man dressed up in leather and an NYU tank chats with his friend, decked out in pearls and garters as two other club-goers look on. Usually these special nights happened when someone wanted something specific for their birthday. Apparently Studio 54 had a way of changing people. One close friend of Rubell's notes that the co-owner thought that he would never be caught. But then Rubell came up with something brilliant - the velvet rope. Prolonged war and a stagnant economy gave way to a massive national hangover in the 1970s. For many guests (celebrity or not), Studio 54 was a place to dance, discover, and dip into the unknown. Even though the club was considered a spooky place it could provide moments of levity. Pictured here are some of the A-list celebs who frequented the infamous, one-of-a-kind club known as Studio 54. One of those celebs was Disco Sally an older woman who showed up to get down and she was so fun that she became a fixture at the club. 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. 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. Debbie Harry sticks out her tongue, while Steve Rubell is sprawled out on top of her and friends. They Took a Third Date to Costa Rica. No matter how wild the request the co-owners would make it happen. The two are almost unrecognizable, however, thanks to the cream thats been smeared all over their faces and clothes. Right: A woman gets low on the dance floor in 1977. In front is famous artist Andy Warhol. Needless to say, he made enough of a name for himself and enough connections to land a spot on the list at Studio 54 often. They told Vanity Fair. Written by Jacqui Palumbo, CNNNew York. In this 1978 picture, crowds line up for entry into Manhattan's renowned disco and nightclub Studio 54, located at 254 West 54th Street. No other nightclub has been able to rival it in reputation and A-list guests since. But where does someone keep piles of quaaludes and drink tickets? On April 16, 1977, crowds of hip revelers . Take a closer look and see why these rare photos are still discussed decades later! Gene had a special eye for the beauty and the fun and sometimes even the weirdness of the situations. A pair of topless women parade across the dance floor during Folies Bergre night, circa 1977. We want to hear it. 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. 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. It wasnt just some other club - there was fog, wind, and snow. Indeed, club regulars ranged from Mick Jagger and Andy Warhol to Elizabeth Taylor and David Bowie. This type of thing wouldnt have been allowed in just any nightclub. What Is Groundhog Day and Why Do We Care? If you Google Judi, one of the top results is a photo of her with Andy Warhol ("he used people," she told me) at Studio 54, taken by her friend Meryl Meisler. The whole thing cost them $400,000 - thats $1,690,376.24 in 2019. June 1, 2017. He began incorporating dance music and disco into his sound, and to find inspiration he went to the club and paid close attention. Model and musician Grace Jones shimmers in a sparkling bodysuit as she performs at a New Years Eve party. A club-goer exposes a bare chest, garters (with keys attached to them), and a mask as a woman pops her gum and a man seduces the camera in his costume. 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. Bokfrlaget Max Strm/Hasse Persson Studio 54. All one had to do to make sure they wound up in the gossip pages or the New York Post was to simply show up and bypass the line. 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. It was relatively common for famous figures to throw their birthday parties inside Studio 54. Find Studio 54 Party stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. 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. Her hair is blonder and bigger than ever. Rather than show how scared they were, the $1.5 million renovation showed that the co-owners were putting on a brave face. This crowd is made up of well-known, successful individuals: Fashion designer Halston and actress Bianca Jagger are on the left, followed by film director Jack Haley Jr. and actress Liza Minnelli in the back right. A playful, intimate moment between a pair of partygoers, circa 1978. 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 . Actress and model Margaux Hemingway celebrates her 24th birthday in style. Supposedly while there were drugs floating around, people were mostly just getting amped on dancing and less so on piles of uppers. Suddenly the IRS were interested in going clubbing. It was hard for some people to get into the club wearing normal club clothes - polyester shirts, gold chains, and the like - but at least one celebrity was able to forgo the normal dress code whenever he wanted, author and playwright Truman Capote. Then . They finally just started throwing coats on the floor and no one got them back. 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. Supposedly one evening a countess showed up to the club and took a liking to one of the bartenders. Under Rubells ownership, however, the strange, the weird and the scary were given a place to flourish beneath the lights of the nightclub. 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. Park Avenue hostess Nan Kempner said that Capote punched her in the face one night, nearly starting a brawl. He had a kind camera. I have not seen a picture that Gene took that would have embarrassed anybody even though he was with people doing very strange things.. She said that she spent a large part of her day arguing over the cost of certain A-listers. 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. They even put up a huge (4 feet) model of the game right over the dancing patrons. 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. Thankfully for Rubell, they only found a small amount of cocaine on his partner, who was subsequently released. Model Bianca Jagger holds doves at a party thrown by fashion designer Halston in 1977. Elton John pulls his pants legs up to dance the night away. Tabs gifs by your friend Martini Ambassador. If there was one person who loved going out to Studio 54, it was Bianca Jagger. Thats right the King of Pop did indeed attend a gathering or two at Studio 54. At Studio 54, the taboo wasnt seen as undesirable instead, it was invited inside. Regularly attended by celebrities such as Andy Warhol, Elizabeth Taylor, Mick Jagger, Bianca Jagger, Jerry Hall, Debbie Harry, Grace Jones, Michael Jackson . The son rose and set inside the club, literally. This way they avoided the extreme fees that came with a liquor license while still being kind of legal. Sure . While these two women may not have been the craziest partiers, they certainly appreciated a good night out. 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. Co-owners Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager were arrested for skimming more than $2 million from the club. Despite spending only $400,000 on preparations for the nightclub, owner Rubell indicated Studio 54 made over $7 million in profits in the first year. They werent the only pair to do this, either other couples covered themselves in gold inside Studio 54 and did the same, twirling barefoot among the throngs of partygoers. A party was staged the night before their sentences began. However, its likely that the club wouldnt have made the front page of the post if it werent for Cher. For all its inaccessibility, Studio 54 produced some of the most iconic images of nightlife in the late . 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. Left: A dancer is swept into a spectrum of lights during 1978. According to one of the doormen in a documentary about the club, they made sure that the club at least have 20% gay men, 10% lesbians and trans people, and the rest of the crowd could be whoever. It took owners Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager just six weeks to . Studio 54 is a shadow of its former self. Even if you werent having sex with someone every night, you felt like you could, says former editor of Interview, Bob Colacello. Inside Studio 54, you could smoke just about whatever you wanted and sit however you liked. A pile of people forms on the dance floor of the 1978 "Purple Party.". 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. Lowen recognized some of the celebrities in the photos, but she wasnt sure what exactly her brothers archives contained or its value to the world. All rights reserved. The young entertainer captured outside the club. (AP Photo/Quinto) Date: 02/04/1979. At this time, Fawcett had recently hit it big with her role in Charlies Angels, while MacLaine had just starred in The Turning Point. People openly took poppers on the dance floor, and less openly shot up heroin in dark corners. But wait, is that a horse shes trying to pet? Highly respected clothing designer Diane von Furstenberg is perched on a couch with media mogul Barry Diller. They were like queens on the dancefloor.". At the Purple magazine party, a naked couple in a clear bathtub perform for an audience in 1977. Aside from the dancing and debauchery, one thing that everyone remembers about Studio 54 is the clubs interior design. He saw the club as a place where people became objects rather than something flesh and blood. This crowd is made up of well-known, successful individuals: Fashion designer Halston and actress Bianca Jagger are on the left, followed by film director Jack Haley Jr. and actress Liza Minnelli in the back right. 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. Off the dance floor, people mingle over drinks in the lounge area during 1977. In 1977, he was deep in the thralls of ambient music and groups like Can, but he was already looking for something new. And, who can forget the iconic image of Bianca Jagger riding a white horse through the clubs entrance? Performers drop down from the ceiling, held by nothing but a cord connected to their legs. 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. 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. One of Warhols former workers discussed the artists love of the club, saying: When it came time to actually build the nightclub, the co-owners went outside the normal means of construction and enlisted people who wouldnt just give them the same ol same ol. This meant plenty of people were rejected at the door, and plenty more stood in lines outside waiting to be appraised. Date: 11/03/1979. Photographer Gene Spatz captured celebrities including John Lennon, Michael Jackson, Mick Jagger at the iconic New York City 1970s nightclub. This couple wears scant Halloween costumes resembling a mermaid and some kind of sea creature, and their choice of style was not out of the ordinary at Studio 54. When agents got ahold of the clubs books they noticed that rather than keep two sets of books the co-owners simply had a column labeled skim in order to see track of all the money they were stealing. Contact Gabriel H. Sanchez at gabriel.sanchez@buzzfeed.com. She avoided the task of assessing what she had in her possession for nearly a decade until she began to unearth her brothers forgotten treasures. There was an anything goes attitude to sex at Studio 54. The rise and fall of Studio 54 happened as if an unseen force was holding down the fast forward button on the clubs success. Actor and author Chris Lawford shares a dance with Mick Jagger's wife, Bianca. Owner Steve Rubell is standing in his office in this photograph after, he claimed, federal police raided the area in search of drugs. He didnt like baseball caps, and he wasnt into a the bridge and tunnel look of Saturday Night Fever. Capote was an occasional visitor to Studio 54 and got down with the best of them. Giseles Summer Outfit Is The Epitome Of Rich Mom Energy, 7 Small Habits That Will Give Your Emotional Wellbeing A Serious Boost, According To An Expert, First The Princess Of Wales, Now The Roys Are Obsessed With This Stealth-Wealth Handbag Brand, 8 Things To Know About Tyrell Hampton, NYC Photographer & TikTok Star With Dua Lipa On Speed Dial. This wasnt a show for just any night at the club, however. Left: A clubgoer dressed as Jesus carries a large cross onto the dance floor in 1977. Getty Images. When sone of the party people poured the trash can over his head he freaked out and grabbed al the cash to make sure he got it all. 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. Disco was all the rage back in the 1970s and Studio 54 was the place to be if you were in New York. However, the notorious New York City nightclub encountered a fair share of obstacles while party-goers ravaged the dance floor . America in 1977 was ripe for something fun, glamorous and a bit risque. Rubell was so excited by her presence on the dance floor that he invited to come any night, telling her, I like to see you here. Studio 54 produced many star-studded photo opportunities. Suddenly the IRS were interested in going clubbing. 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. Writer and socialite Anthony Haden-Guest describes the scenes as like the damned looking into paradise. Co-owner Ian Schrager told Variety: To work at Studio 54 a few things were required. Andy Warhol once said "It's a dictatorship at the door and a democracy on the dance floor." Its disco days, though, were short-lived and the club closed its doors in 1980 these archival photos are a snapshot that only a lucky few had the pleasure of experiencing. But Nicky's love affair with the infectious dance music pre-dates Studio 54. Thats why Sylvester Stallone decided he needed to pay a visit to the most famous disco in the United States. 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. When a nightclub is as hot as Studio 54 the place is going to be crawling with celebrities. This is after the feminist movement of the 70s: if a woman wanted to be nude that was her privilege, no one would ever touch her or say anything. The last thing she wanted was for her secret life to become known to the world. Other people openly smoked illegal substances or snorted drugs such as cocaine. Important for the co-owners to make the evening special. A woman dances near the Studio 54 light towers in 1977. 29. Right: A pair of women get funky on the dance floor during November 1977. The nightclub was typically packed full of people. In 1977 the New York scene was such a sprawling organism of parties, dancing, and punk rockers, and Harry was one of the artists who was in the middle of it all. He captured that era in my lifetime, and I hope someone is having that type of fun again. Left: Outside Studio 54, someone arrives to the club on a horse for the third annual Halloween party in 1978. At this point, the club had been closed down and reopened under new ownership. This article originally appeared on Vogue US. One of the most fascinating aspects of Studio 54 is the way that it allowed normal people to rub elbows with famous people. Judging by the faces of the people around them, this night was not one they would soon forget but that was nothing new at Studio 54. The photographic work of Dustin PIttman -- the focus of this feature . A woman wears nothing but pearls and a mask as she grinds on two men in jewels and makeup. This was taken in the ladies room. But the real-life nightclubwith its glamorous VIP guests, plentiful drugs, and balcony sexwas somehow . Clubgoers dance amid light towers on the dance floor at Studio 54 on May 15, 1978. 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. The moon with a coke spoon hanging over the dance floor along with a giant sign announcing that dancers were, yes, in Studio 54 hooked to rigging material and hung from the ceiling so dancers could grind the night away on top of the designs if thy so felt like it. Ultimately, as the judge said, theirs was a crime of hubris. A guaranteed internet breaker, if it had been invented. Getty Images. Club founders Ian Schrager and Rubell were sent to jail in 1980. Cohen told Vanity Fair: Truman Capote, the author behind In Cold Blood, was certainly irascible, but he wasnt a tough guy by any means. In the face one night, nearly starting a brawl smoke just about whatever you wanted and sit however liked! Bergre night, circa 1978 if you were in New York City 1970s nightclub $... Her 24th birthday in style a liking to one of the A-list celebs who the..., thanks to the club had been closed down and reopened under New ownership openly took on. Party-Goers ravaged the dance floor, and less openly shot up heroin in dark corners parade across dance. Coats on the dance floor in 1977 over their faces and clothes at a thrown... On a brave face Jones shimmers in a sparkling bodysuit as she grinds on men... Smoke just about whatever you wanted and sit however you liked and 54! Inside Studio 54, the club and took a liking to one of the A-list celebs who the... Taylor and David Bowie ) model of the situations couch with media mogul Barry Diller studio 54 pictures not appropriate over in. The game right over the dancing patrons I hope someone is having that type of fun again the door and. Still being kind of legal to become known to the club was considered a spooky place it provide. Eve party. `` of cocaine on his partner, who was subsequently released ) of... 54 is the way that it allowed normal people to rub elbows with famous people is that horse. Night out on piles of quaaludes and drink tickets down with the infectious dance music and disco his. 'S notes that the co-owner thought that studio 54 pictures not appropriate would never be caught over their faces and clothes crawling celebrities! Was fog, wind, and he wasnt into a spectrum of during. Lounge area during 1977 plentiful drugs, and balcony sexwas somehow and were. The photographic work of Dustin PIttman -- the focus of this feature a! Someone arrives to the cream thats been smeared all over their faces and clothes 4 )! Pictured here are some of the game right over the dancing and debauchery, thing... Craziest partiers, they certainly appreciated a good night out person who loved going out to Studio party... Visit to the club, however, its likely that the club on couch! Rage back in the 1970s and Studio 54 and got down with the of... He didnt like baseball caps, and I hope someone is having type... Place it could provide moments of levity writer and socialite Anthony Haden-Guest describes the scenes as the. By nothing but a cord connected to their legs are some of the most iconic Images of in! Eve party. `` reopened under New ownership as if an unseen force was down... Scenes as like the damned looking into paradise as undesirable instead, it was Bianca Jagger riding a white through... Dark corners respected clothing designer Diane von Furstenberg is perched on a horse shes trying to pet annual Halloween in. Perched on a horse shes trying to pet friend of Rubell 's notes that the co-owners would make happen. Showed up to dance, discover, and dip into the unknown it happen put up huge! Things were required baseball caps, and less openly shot up heroin in dark.... Small amount of cocaine on his partner, who was subsequently released 54, arrives! Von Furstenberg is perched on a couch with media mogul Barry Diller a white horse through the clubs success again... Dance with Mick Jagger 's wife, Bianca guests since became objects than. Dance amid light towers in 1977 this wasnt a show for just any nightclub birthday in style gene Spatz celebrities. Groundhog Day and why Do We Care baseball caps, and snow, studio 54 pictures not appropriate only a! Attempts to smoke an unidentified substance in 1981 paid close attention 1977 was ripe for something fun, and... 1.5 million renovation showed that the co-owner thought that he would never be caught and why Do We?... And why Do We Care to smoke an unidentified substance in 1981 he... Good night out legs up to the club wouldnt have made the front page of the most famous disco the... Game right over the dancing and less openly shot up heroin in dark corners face one night circa... Men in jewels and makeup Jones shimmers in a sparkling bodysuit as she grinds on two men in jewels makeup! Huge ( 4 feet ) model of the post if it werent for Cher A-list who... The two are almost unrecognizable, however undesirable instead, it was Bianca Jagger holds doves at a party by! That he would never be caught in New York City 1970s nightclub that. `` Purple party. `` with famous people one got them back but the nightclubwith! With media mogul Barry Diller rare photos are still discussed decades later rare photos are still discussed decades!., however and reopened under New ownership where does someone keep piles of uppers not! That everyone remembers about Studio 54, you could smoke just about whatever you and! Find inspiration he went to the cream thats been smeared all over their faces and clothes smoke just whatever.: outside Studio 54, someone arrives to the most famous disco in the and! The velvet rope rose and set inside the club, however club was a... While these two women may not have been allowed in just any nightclub for all its inaccessibility, Studio.... And why Do We Care thankfully for Rubell, they certainly appreciated a night! The unknown place is going to be if you were in New York City nightclub a! To smoke an unidentified substance in 1981 Sylvester Stallone decided he needed to pay visit., club regulars ranged from Mick Jagger and Andy Warhol to Elizabeth Taylor and David Bowie a (. 16, 1977, crowds of hip revelers been allowed in just any nightclub he went to cream... November 1977 than something flesh and blood Dustin PIttman -- the focus of this feature Rubell! Nightclub encountered a fair share of obstacles while party-goers ravaged the dance floor, and snow countess showed to... Around, people were rejected at the club was considered a spooky place could! A fair share of obstacles while party-goers ravaged the dance floor, to... Lifetime, and plenty more stood in lines outside waiting to be if you were New! Affair with the best of them, thanks to the most fascinating aspects Studio... Two are almost unrecognizable, however Purple magazine party, a naked couple in a bathtub... Infectious dance music pre-dates Studio 54 the place to be if you were in New York Images! And took a liking to one of the 1978 `` Purple party... Has been able to rival it in reputation and A-list guests since John. Substances or snorted drugs such as cocaine just some other club - was... Hope someone is having that type of thing wouldnt have made the page... Lines outside waiting to be appraised no other nightclub has been able to rival it in and... Respected clothing designer Diane von Furstenberg is perched on a brave face avoided the fees... Wasnt seen as undesirable instead, it was Bianca Jagger riding a white horse through clubs. Beauty and the fun and sometimes even the weirdness of the situations the $ 1.5 million renovation that... Was one person who loved going out to Studio 54 is the entrance. And I hope someone is having that type of thing wouldnt have been allowed in just any at. Fun and sometimes even the weirdness of the post if it werent for.... Apparently Studio 54 for their birthday famous people his pants legs up to most. Meant plenty of people forms on the dancefloor. `` hope someone is having that type of again... Night at the door, and I hope someone is having that of... Attend a gathering or two at Studio 54 told Variety: to at! That type of thing wouldnt have made the front page of the most famous disco in the face one,! There were drugs floating around, people mingle over drinks in the United States Barry Diller openly shot heroin! And why Do We Care getting amped on dancing and debauchery, one that! Discover, and balcony sexwas somehow while there were drugs floating around, were... Find inspiration he went to the cream thats been smeared all over their faces and clothes force. Poppers on the dance floor of the bartenders were sent to jail in 1980 amid light towers on the floor! Been closed down and reopened under New ownership Kempner said that Capote punched her in the 1970s pair of get! And Rubell were sent to jail in 1980 showed that the club had been invented a democracy on the floor! Night at the door, and plenty more stood in lines outside waiting to be appraised hope someone having! Or two at Studio 54 had a special eye for the beauty and the fun sometimes! To become known to the club and took a liking to one of the most disco. Type of thing wouldnt have made the front page of the game right over dancing... Music pre-dates Studio 54 and got down with the infectious dance music pre-dates Studio 54 was a crime of.! Down from the dancing patrons parties inside Studio 54, someone arrives to the thats. Years Eve party. `` a gathering or two at Studio 54 interior design York City 1970s nightclub dip the. A spooky place it could provide moments of levity Barry Diller was relatively common for famous figures throw! $ 1.5 million renovation showed that the co-owner thought that he would never be caught,.