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. 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. Schrager and Rubells time in prison coincided with the infamous Disco Sucks event in 1979, where disco records were burned at a baseball game while around 50,000 people watched. Yet, Studio 54s sensibility of inclusion and freedom lives on through the books, films and fashion that it has inspired ever since. Cold hard cash, baby, even professional provocateur Andy Warhol. 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. During the third annual Halloween party at Studio 54, costumed women laugh atop the shoulders of their male companions, New York, New York, October 31, 1978. Left: A clubgoer dressed as Jesus carries a large cross onto the dance floor in 1977. Date: 11/03/1979. From the moment it opened its doors in 1977, the era-defining club was, says writer Bob Colacello in Rizzoli's Studio 54, "a sociological phenomenon and a historical event." The duo partied often at Studio 54, but Bianca had no idea that Warhol was taking notes the entire time they were hanging out. One close friend of Rubell's notes that the co-owner thought that he would never be caught. Left: A performer on stilts manages to bust a move in 1981. The people in this photograph have costumes and makeup on, complete with pairs of tall stilts that helped them tower over the crowd. 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. People partook in various questionable substances, and in this photo, theyre inhaling laughing gas in the middle of the dance floor. Mick Jagger and his then significant other Jerry Hall entering the club. Bokfrlaget Max Strm/Hasse Persson Studio 54. 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. In fact, she sang that night with Liza Minnelli. Studio 54 was a safe space for groups who would have been marginalised in the late 70s. Trudeau frequented the nightclub more than once and earned herself a bit of a reputation among partiers. 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. Fans would say she had eyes the color of lavender, and her performances in films like Cleopatra and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof will forever go down in cinema history. Regardless of the fact that Jagger just took the horse for a spin whether it was just once around the Studio or all the way down the block, it's telling that there was a horse in the club. They served copious amounts of alcohol, played the loudest music and sometimes had mini food fights on the dancefloor. On that special evening the party goers were treated to snowdrifts made of glitter that nearly suffocated the dancers with its sparkling lusciousness. This kind of debauchery came to be expected of the venue and marked its no-holds-barred approach to nightlife. Even when the clubs co-owners were under a federal investigation they didnt let anything get in the way of the clubs success. Debbie Harry, dressed in a black turtleneck and black glasses, sticking her tongue out for a photo; a tuxedo-clad Sterling Saint Jacques swinging around Shirley Bassey. Trans women were welcomed, while eccentrics such as Rollerina, a Wall Street banker by day who rollerskated on the dancefloor at night, and Disco Sally, a 78-year-old lawyer, were cult figures. As the main party starter at Studio 54 it was up to Steve Rubell to keep everyone happy. Then . He saw the club as a place where people became objects rather than something flesh and blood. Before the co-owners went to jail they threw a party to end all parties called The End of Modern-Day Gomorrah. They only invited a small crowd of about 2,000 revelers many of them A-list celebrities. We want to hear it. As you can see, this was long before his dramatic transformation and eventual controversies in the public eye. On finding Studio 54's books, it was discovered that a skim was in operation on up to 80% of the profits. " It happens to the best of us. Schrager was released on $50,000 bond and the disco was open the next night. This photograph was taken at the first Halloween party and shows two men dressed in taboo fetish gear, one man miming cutting the other. Studio 54 is a shadow of its former self. 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. Other people openly smoked illegal substances or snorted drugs such as cocaine. 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. Enjoy these Studio 54 photos? When youre a wealthy celebrity, youre going to want to have the best of the best. The streets were so packed with people that wanted to get into the Studio that attendees were literally being thrown inside. 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. At the time, childish fun in a club like this couldnt be found in most other venues. She once said, I didnt dance for 50 years because my husband didnt like it, she said. 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. The stunt was well-planned and executed by experienced acrobats, so thankfully no one was hurt. 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. In front is famous artist Andy Warhol. Dancers showcase a performance on metallic cushions amid a curious crowd at a New Years Eve party. The man who made it famous, Steve Rubell, was only in charge from 1977 to 1980. 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. From the looks of it, he seemed to enjoy his time there, too! By 1977, Stallone had an Oscar on his mantle, but did that make him an NFU? Unfortunately, the bartender was so out of his gourd on goofballs that he forgot to unlock the cuffs when the two were finished and left her in the basement before going back to work. Bianca Jagger on a white horse for her birthday at Studio 54. When she wasnt whipping her legs through the air to the music, she was brushing shoulders with the countrys most famous celebrities. Not only was this accepted, but one of the biggest suppliers was the co-owner Steve Rubell. Left: A topless woman in a peacock feather headdress dances at Studio 54's Halloween party in 1977. For many guests (celebrity or not), Studio 54 was a place to dance, discover, and dip into the unknown. Fashion designer Clovis Ruffin waits for a drink at the bar in 1980. The club also had doves and a snake present for visitors on different nights. She was an actress and human rights activist who was married to Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger at the time. The photographer that captured the disco and diamond dust of legendary club Studio 54. He captured it fantastically the fun and wackiness, the sweetness. Suddenly the IRS were interested in going clubbing. She explained that they were shoving their party in everyones face because America needed to have their own excesses reflected back at them. Known for its raucous parties and A-list guests, the first three years of Studio 54's existence were the most exclusive and enticing and that was by design. But at Studio 54, the party was just getting started. But wait, is that a horse shes trying to pet? A pair of topless women parade across the dance floor during Folies Bergre night, circa 1977. This potentially dangerous display marked the end of the nightclubs first year open. Drugs, drinks, and disco -- Studio 54 had it all. Sylvester Stallone and Sheryl Slocum, 1977. 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. Studio 54 produced many star-studded photo opportunities. Franco Rossellini and Steve Rubell (producer and owner, respectively) are pictured here in front of what appears to be a giant birthday cake. She wrote: Studio 54 wasnt just the most banging party in Manhattan because someone unlocked the doors and tossed on a mixtape. All of that pent up stress can make someone blow a valve, Studio 54 served as a way for people to escape; it was the perfect place for someone to cut loose as long as they could get through the door. If you found yourself fortunate enough to make it inside Studio 54 in 1978, you mightve come upon a scene like this one. According to Dustin Pittman, a photographer who was there, the sickening smell of the flowers couldnt cover the scent of all the nefarious activity that happened there throughout the years: With Studio 54 being the hottest ticket in town for 33 months there was an overwhelming amount of people who wanted to get in. However, even after the club had closed its doors the clean up crew would find party favors from the night before. Suddenly the IRS were interested in going clubbing. This wouldnt be the only time Studio 54 went above and beyond for New Years. According to bartender Scott Taylor, there were only a few bartenders doing the work of an army. Andy Warhol, Jerry Hall, Debbie Harry, Truman Capote, and Paloma Picasso. Studio 54: heady daze of disco decadence in pictures, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. There were no thoughts outside of "I want it, let's make it happen.". Being a spouse to legendary partier Jagger, its no wonder she enjoyed a good get-together herself. Gene had a special eye for the beauty and the fun and sometimes even the weirdness of the situations. One of the most fascinating aspects of Studio 54 is the way that it allowed normal people to rub elbows with famous people. Clubs have been using this idea for years. Not that theres anything wrong with that. 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. 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. 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. The spectacle is complete with their revealing outfits, but by Studio 54 standards, their dress is modest. 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. She is seen here in colorful 70s makeup, big hair and a risque lace top. She contacted a local artist and began sorting through contact sheets and negatives, but Lowen felt overwhelmed by the task of or assessing the quality of the work. Vote up the Studio 54 snapshots that make you want to queue up and bribe a doorman. Studio 54 wasand, arguably, remainsthe world's most renowned and legendary disco. Thankfully for Rubell, they only found a small amount of cocaine on his partner, who was subsequently released. Right: Clubgoers inhale nitrous oxide (also known as laughing gas) on the dance floor during the 1977 Halloween party. On finding Studio 54s books, it was discovered that a skim was in operation on up to 80% of the profits. The photos left over tell a story of a place where absolutely nothing was off limits. Right: During a Purple magazine party in 1978, a topless woman rides onto the dance floor on a white horse. 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. People came back time and again during the life of Studio 54 for this openness and acceptance. Originally opened as an opera house in 1927, Studio 54 became a popular nightclub in 1977. In 1977, he was deep in the thralls of ambient music and groups like Can, but he was already looking for something new. Diane von Furstenberg lounging with her husband-to-be, media mogul Barry Diller. Inside Studio 54, you could smoke just about whatever you wanted and sit however you liked. But, thanks to photographers who were in the right place at the right time, we can get glimpses of what a crazy night out at Studio 54 was truly like. A photograph of Yoko Ono and John Lennon by Gene Spatz (year unknown). It wasnt just the celebrities known to enjoy partying who indulged in a night out at Studio 54. Here you can see her leaning back as she dances, seemingly overjoyed by the music and the ambiance of Studio 54. One of the men on the scene was Gene Spatz, a pioneering paparazzo and street photographer who most people have never heard about. He had . . It took owners Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager just six weeks to . They Took a Third Date to Costa Rica. He told NY Mag: New Years Eve in New York City is a sacred night of partying that can take dancers on a journey, and one New Years Eve party at Studio 54 was the ultimate way to begin a new year. While many clubgoers enjoyed this aspect of Studio 54, it got them lots of attention from the authorities. 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