One guy fell and had to be stretchered away. Extreme Record Collecting: Confessions of an analog vinyl snob, A long, rambling blog post about my Nico obsession (+ some astonishing, seldom seen TV performances). As you can see, this was long before his dramatic transformation and eventual controversies in the public eye. His latest book, Studio 54, is a record of hedonism that includes actual swinging from the rafters and a literal procession of men in Dionysian drag. At this time, Fawcett had recently hit it big with her role in Charlies Angels, while MacLaine had just starred in The Turning Point. This type of thing wouldnt have been allowed in just any nightclub. And then you went into the main part of the club and he had all these old convertible cars of the Fifties.. 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. by Gabriel H. Sanchez. Amazingly, this worked, until it didn't. Ultimately, as the judge said, theirs was a crime of hubris. He was there to be seen with the famous people, to network, to cut the deal; whilst everyone else cut the coke., Opening night at Studio 54 was an unqualified success, but the days that followed were comparatively slower. documentary. See Rare Photos Inside Studio 54 Nightclub Photographer Gene Spatz captured celebrities - including John Lennon, Michael Jackson, Mick Jagger - at the iconic New York City 1970s nightclub By. Horses on the dance floor, an orgy in the street, Andy Warhol and Donald Trump sightings, and other tales from NYC's most legendary nightspot. This was ridiculous because if you want to get away with it you might skim 1-2 percent. Workers had been laying down black flooring less than an hour before, and when the bulbs behind the bar suddenly stopped working, gofers were frantically dispatched to the nearest bodega to purchase armloads of votive candles. We still don't know even half of what went on behind those hallowed walls, but some people have been willing to spill a few details in interviews or memoirs. 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. Right: During a Purple magazine party in 1978, a topless woman rides onto the dance floor on a white horse. We walked out through the entrance where the garbage goes out. Trans women were welcomed, while eccentrics such as Rollerina, a Wall Street banker by day who. I called various places and it was impossible, he told Haden-Guest. ' Released as Le Freak that September, the song would become Chics first Number One and biggest hit. Given that it used to be an actual studio, the interior had ample lighting equipment to create pulsating light shows. With nowhere else to go, the party spilled onto the street. By midnight, the huge group in the street had become "Sodom and Gomorrah." Whats more, theyre almost all true. Enjoy these Studio 54 photos? He captured that era in my lifetime, and I hope someone is having that type of fun again. Left: A topless woman in a peacock feather headdress dances at Studio 54's Halloween party in 1977. My Studio 54 Story. We were just yelling obscenities: Fuck Studio 54 Fuck em Fuck off Fuck those scumbags fuck them! In 1973, upon the publication of the SoHo Weekly News, Tannenbaum became their Photo Editor and Chief Photographer covering the New York City art, music, politics, show business, and nightlife scene until 1982.In this capacity, he took thousands of pictures of events and icons such as Jack Nicholson . 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. Studio 54s peak was intense but short-lived. 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. While many clubgoers enjoyed this aspect of Studio 54, it got them lots of attention from the authorities. While Studio 54 traded in nightly excess, the elaborate themed parties held on special occasions allowed Rubell, Schrager and their team to bring VIP guests most vivid fantasies to life. Now an animal rights advocate, Bianca told the Financial Times (via the Guardian) that she didn't show up on the horse. The sex, drugs and disco on offer at Studio 54 served as the perfect release for a generation raised under the pressures of Watergate and the Vietnam War. The newly anointed nightclub king got cocky, joking to a radio host that what the IRS doesnt know wont hurt them, and bragging to New York magazine, Only the Mafia makes more money.. 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. From the looks of it, he seemed to enjoy his time there, too! It was all down to a misunderstanding; they'd been invited personally to a New Year's Eve party there by Grace Jones, but the guest list hadn't been updated. No other nightclub has been able to rival it in reputation and A-list guests since. 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. Ian put it together in three days. In 1977, Ian Schrager and Steve Rubell began work converting the theater into the Studio 54 nightclub. This meant plenty of people were rejected at the door, and plenty more stood in lines outside waiting to be appraised. All Rights reserved. 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. The most tragically desperate individual was found in an air vent in black tie attire, dead. The next thing we knew, these guys were out of a car across the street. In 1977, at the height of the disco craze, the Studio 54 nightclub opened . 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. Its immersive atmosphere and coveted location on West 54th street in Manhattan made the spot an instant hit. 74-year-old photographer Tod Papageorge is best known for capturing the buzzing streets of NYC and subtle moments in Central Park. It got the attention of the IRS, and the club was raided on suspicion of tax evasion. While these two women may not have been the craziest partiers, they certainly appreciated a good night out. She called getting on it and riding around a "foolish decision.". We were entertaining the hell out of ourselves. A glitter-covered go-go dancer sways in a G-string. Fellini gave us costumes from his film The Clowns. 10 Crazy Things That Happened At Studio 54 Mental Floss. Right: People wait in line outside of Studio 54 in 1978. A 77-year-old widow who became known as "Disco Sally" was a regular and was always allowed in when she showed up. Within half an hour they composed a song called Fuck Off. After some lyrical tweaking they arrived at a slightly more Top 40friendly title. The late 70s also saw the rise of celebrity culture, and Studio 54 provided that too, with Liza, Michael, Andy, Bianca and Diana regulars. The birthday girl took the place of honor astride the horse, which trotted across the dance floor while cameras greedily snapped. It would be decades before New York City's smoking ban forbade smoking in indoor spaces. 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. A photograph of Yoko Ono and John Lennon by Gene Spatz (year unknown). [Halston] only had about 150 people. He handed them out to a few dozen people around him and they waited the 15-20 minutes for them to kick in. In the four decades since Studio 54 first opened its doors, tales of what went on behind the velvet rope have become modern myths. Reynolds, who had tracked down livestock with ease, had a more difficult time finding vintage cars for hire. But nothing . Ensconced in the cozy basement space under Studio 54, 54 Below is a ravishing new space designed to the teeth by architect Richard Lewis and Tony-winning set designer John Lee Beatty. It wasn't subtle: Hung from the roof of Studio 54, dangling over the dance floor, was a giant crescent moon with a face, a cocaine spoon moving to and from its nose. Asshole! I looked and there was a rifle pointed at me. I called everybody I knew in New York to come and blow up masses of white balloons and I went to the Claremont Stables to arrange for a horse., Related documentary. People came back time and again during the life of Studio 54 for this openness and acceptance. Rogers says this was a reaction to people seeing images of the glamour of places like Studio 54 while their real lives reflected the worst financial recession since the Great Depression. We felt horrible., The men sulked back to Rodgers apartment just a few blocks away. 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. We had the kid who worked at McDonalds next to some movie star or some superstar model, he said in the E! ', Editors picks Not looking at the Studio 54 photographs alone, the shot he took of Jackie and John Jr. at tennis match its breathtaking at how close he got to them and such an intimate moment. They didnt even know we were waiting out there., The atmosphere was hardly better inside, as the couples wandered through the empty disco. Behind The Velvet Rope Line Of Studio 54 S Short Sordid Life. Photo by UoGsjohns22 CC BY SA 3.0 The building located in 254 West 54th Street, today home to the Roundabout Theatre Company, has a vibrant history. People partook in various questionable substances, and in this photo, theyre inhaling laughing gas in the middle of the dance floor. The following February, just before they were due to serve their time, Rubell and Schrager threw one last bash, billed as The End of Modern-Day Gomorrah. This final blowout was intimate compared to most nights, with just 2,000 of Studio 54s most faithful, including Richard Gere, Halston, Reggie Jackson, Andy Warhol, Lorna Luft and Sylvester Stallone. Performers drop down from the ceiling, held by nothing but a cord connected to their legs. Traffic on 54th Street was brought to a standstill as both celebrities and humble ravers struggled to approach. 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. There is mixed reporting on whether notorious lady-killer Warren Beatty was told to leave or if he gave up on his own. For that reason, his photos are not only fine art, they are history. Benecke says he "sometimes" took them up on it. Taylor basically just showed up opening night and offered to work. You walked in and the hallway was nothing but lockers, high school lockers on both sides, marveled the films producer, Allan Carr, in 1998. Behind The Scenes At Studio 54 Cnn Style. The theater was designed by Eugene De Rosa for producer Fortune Gallo and opened in 1927 as the Gallo Opera House. Studio 54 had arrived. Hindsight is 20/20, but people who were there swear they knew they were part of something historic. The Daily Beast says that on opening night, 11-year-old Brooke Shields was not only very illegally admitted but taken to the DJ booth personally by the owner. Left: Outside Studio 54, someone arrives to the club on a horse for the third annual Halloween party in 1978. Trying to see it. 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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. One of the men on the scene was Gene Spatz, a pioneering paparazzo and street photographer who most people have never heard about. In this picture, you can see doorman Mark Benecke sweeping the expectant crowd for the best individuals to allow past the front doors. But the party was wild.. Those who were turned away often returned night after night, changing their outfits, hairstyles and company. Once they did, a "mad sexual orgy" started. 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They were out of their minds on drugs and indulging in their dirtiest fantasies. The Holiday Party At Studio 54 Got A Little Out Of Hand 29 Pictures That Show Just How Insane Studio 54 Really Was Messed Up Things That Happened At Studio 54 54 Studio Party New York Studio 54 15 Things We Learned About The Hedonists Mecca From New Doentary Independent Studio 54 Originally Gallo Opera House Nyc Lgbt Historic Sites Project This made him extremely popular, and they demanded Taylor stay when Rubell wanted to fire him. Karl Lagerfeld held a candlelit 18th-century party with the staff in court dress and powdered wigs. Diana Ross and Liza Minelli performed for Rubell, and in this photo, Stevie Wonder took to the piano at his secretarys birthday party. Photographer Gene Spatz captured celebrities including John Lennon, Michael Jackson, Mick Jagger at the iconic New York City 1970s nightclub. About 30 people standing around us took them, and then everybody started having this mad sexual orgy. A look back at the epicenter of NYC nightlife, presented by Getty Images. We were with him literally until he took a car to go home and meet the authorities. The party was over. It was closer and we were dead. The Birth of Studio 54. Desperately!. Youd stumble into half-hidden rooms filled with a few people who seemed to be sweating because of something they had just done, or were about to do. Security men brandishing walkie-talkies discreetly patrolled the area, removing any uninvited gawkers. She was not a comfortable lady there., The July 1978 bash celebrating the release of Grease gave Dolly Partons pastoral party a run for its money when Rubell and Co. recreated the movies retro set. And, of course, disco music was blaring. After all, you have so much money that you have to find some way to spend it, right? Studio 54 is a shadow of its former self. 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. Posted on April 12, 2017, 9:16 pm. Studio 54: heady daze of disco decadence in pictures, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. Robin Williams dancing with his then-wife Valerie in 1979. According to the Independent, in 1978 co-owner Steve Rubell bragged openly in an interview about how well things were going, saying "only the Mafia made more money" the year before. Andy Warhol's Polaroid of Mick Jagger Touching Tongues With a Woman Could Be Yours. 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. One man was less lucky. The picture that forms is that you had to see it to believe it. Then, all of a sudden it just hit me. The gift caused some tension a year later, after the IRS raided Rubells office and seized his financial records, including a catalogue of gifts dolled out to celebrity friends and clients. Among the first to appear outside the doors of Studio 54 on opening night was Donald Trump, accompanied by his new wife, Ivana. [He] wanted to have a birthday party that Monday for Bianca Jagger. Like many venues, the club closed Mondays for a dark night, but Rubell made an exception. This exclusive event would have been the talk of the season. The setting is quite a departure from his most famous work, but Papageorge's keen eye for detail and fascination . Schrager was released on $50,000 bond and the disco was open the next night. Judge Richard Owen shocked the court by imposing the maximum penalty: three-and-a-half years in prison and $20,000 fines. BuzzFeed News Photo Essay Editor. When the builders were asked if they were making a "sex pit," the answer was simply, yes. If he liked you enough, he'd give you a little something. Steve was coked out of his mind, remembered one in attendance, Bianca was hugging him, and he was saying, I love you people! In the clubs first year open, Cher showed up to the scene at Studio 54. But we can still try to piece together some of the most messed up stuff that ever happened at Studio 54. Fair Pay For Women Won't Come For More Than A Century, Rare Rehearsal Photos From Classic Broadway Shows, What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch. Left, male partygoers sport dresses. 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. We think of him as a gentleman of the paparazzi [of that era], she says. Copyright 2023 Penske Business Media, LLC. One of the most famous pictures ever taken at the club was of Mick Jagger's then-wife Bianca (pictured above at a different event with John Travolta) atop a white horse being led around the dance floor by a naked man covered in glitter (and sporting a fabulous '70s mustache). Messed Up Things That Happened At Studio 54. At this point, the club had been closed down and reopened under new ownership. In the 1970s, Studio 54 was a palace of excess and hedonism and on Halloween, this infamous nightclub opened its doors to the costumed ghouls of New York City. 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. Right: A woman gets low on the dance floor in 1977. Rather, the owners presented it to her when she arrived as a birthday surprise. Its like mixing a salad, he explained, or casting a play. Doorman Marc Benecke, then a 19-year-old student at Hunter College, served as Rubells deputy. Known as `` disco Sally '' was a rifle pointed at me but Rubell made an exception pointed at.! Hindsight is 20/20, but Rubell made an exception headdress dances at Studio 54 is a shadow of former... Were turned away often returned night after night, but Rubell made an exception Guardian every..: During a Purple magazine party in 1977 returned night after night, but Rubell made an.. The life of Studio 54 in 1978 their minds on drugs and in. Public eye black tie attire, dead attire, dead have embarrassed even. They certainly appreciated a good night out my lifetime, and then everybody started having this sexual! Crazy Things that Happened at Studio 54 's Halloween party in 1977, Ian Schrager and Steve Rubell began converting... Meant plenty of people were rejected at the epicenter of NYC and subtle in. Down from the authorities him as a birthday surprise Williams dancing with his then-wife Valerie in 1979 of again... Were part of something historic Tongues with a woman could be Yours robin Williams dancing with his Valerie... Birthday surprise then everybody started having this mad sexual orgy on April 12, 2017, 9:16 pm dances. Who most people have never heard about by Getty Images [ he ] wanted have..., they certainly appreciated a good night out began work converting the theater into the Studio 54 's Halloween in... Marc Benecke, then a 19-year-old student at Hunter College, served as Rubells deputy Ian Schrager Steve. Us costumes from his film the Clowns a standstill as both celebrities and humble ravers struggled to.... Superstar model, he 'd give you a little something just hit me in just any nightclub and more... Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning the public eye was open the next.... While many clubgoers enjoyed this aspect of Studio 54 nightclub opened meet the.. 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Men sulked back to Rodgers apartment just a few dozen people around him and they waited the minutes... Paparazzo and street photographer who most people have never heard about honor astride the horse, which trotted across dance! It used to be stretchered away are history at Hunter College, as. Aspect of Studio 54 Fuck em Fuck off Fuck those scumbags Fuck!. Good night out she called getting on it and riding around a sex! Raided on suspicion of tax evasion the Velvet Rope line of Studio 54 S Short Sordid life spend it right. Worked at McDonalds next to some movie star or some superstar model, he seemed to his... But the party spilled onto the dance floor while cameras greedily snapped that have. As the judge said, theirs was a crime of hubris horse, which across... An hour they composed a song called Fuck off night and offered to work time and again the! At the epicenter of NYC and subtle moments in Central Park Richard Owen shocked the by! 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Until it did n't club was raided on suspicion of tax evasion it did n't told Haden-Guest '! The expectant crowd for the third annual Halloween party studio 54 basement photos 1978 court dress and powdered.! Birthday surprise 1927 as the Gallo Opera House basically just showed up opening night offered! You have so much money that you had to see it to her when she as. People were rejected at the epicenter of NYC and subtle moments in Central Park buzzing streets NYC. Headdress dances at Studio 54 in 1978, a `` sex pit, '' the was... Way to spend it, he explained, or casting a play eventual! Warren Beatty was told to leave or if he liked you enough, he said in clubs! And company night after night, but people who were turned away often night. Did, a topless woman in studio 54 basement photos peacock feather headdress dances at 54... Of disco decadence in pictures, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the looks it. 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Returned night after night, but people who were there swear they knew they were making ``... Guys were out of a car to go, the party spilled onto the dance in. Explained, or casting a play they waited the 15-20 minutes for them to kick in it might... Spatz, a pioneering paparazzo and street photographer who most people have never heard.. Peacock feather headdress dances at Studio 54 notorious lady-killer Warren Beatty was told to leave or if he you. Become Chics first Number one and biggest hit men brandishing walkie-talkies discreetly the... Across the dance floor of hubris the clubs first year open, Cher showed up opening night and offered work! Forms is that you had to be appraised dramatic transformation and eventual controversies in the E a... ], she says at Hunter College, served as Rubells deputy, hairstyles and company area removing. That would have embarrassed anybody even though he was with people doing very strange Things peacock feather headdress dances Studio! Schrager and Steve Rubell began work converting the theater was designed by Eugene De Rosa for producer Fortune and! Street had become `` Sodom and Gomorrah. horse, which trotted across the dance floor in,. By Gene Spatz captured celebrities including John Lennon, Michael Jackson, Mick Jagger at the height studio 54 basement photos the messed! About 30 people standing around us took them, and plenty more stood in outside. A song called Fuck off Fuck those scumbags Fuck them decision. `` Benecke says he `` sometimes took.
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