It wasnt just a place to get your rocks off and dance, it was free publicity. Clubs have been using this idea for years. 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. In front is famous artist Andy Warhol. McCarthy, who happened to frequent Studio 54 on occasion, was amazed by his access to the notables in attendance. 30. 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. In 2018s Studio 54: The Documentary one doorman explains that the crowd was so intense that the people in the coat check couldnt handle the demand of the people. 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. The photographic work of Dustin PIttman -- the focus of this feature . Gene Spatz/POBA.org. Yet, Studio 54s sensibility of inclusion and freedom lives on through the books, films, and fashion that it has inspired ever since. We want to hear it. Elizabeth Taylor shimmering in a glamorous iridescent bodysuit while chatting to legendary fashion designer Halston. As you can see, this was long before his dramatic transformation and eventual controversies in the public eye. 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. When they walked into the club there was a palpable energy, things got more exciting and everyone wanted to be around them. Even if Bowie was in the normal person phase of his career, he was always looking for new sounds. Ultimately, as the judge said, theirs was a crime of hubris. If you wanted to dress in next to nothing and wear lots of makeup, you were encouraged. My house now is filled with his art, and I hope others will appreciate it too.. Author Anthony Haden-Guest told the BBC: The thing that separates a bar or club from a speakeasy is the fact that they have a liquor license from the city that allows them to sell drinks to their patrons. 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. Capote is the author of books like Other Voices, Other Rooms, Breakfast at Tiffanys and In Cold Blood. Park Avenue hostess Nan Kempner said that Capote punched her in the face one night, nearly starting a brawl. The man who made it famous, Steve Rubell, was only in charge from 1977 to 1980. Not something you see every day, but you could see it at Studio 54. Right: A costumed partygoer hits the dance floor in 1981. 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. Then, step inside the 1990s rave scene at its neon zenith. 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. After the studio was raided by IRS agents on December 14th, 1978 they grabbed garbage bags of money, financial documents and five ounces of cocaine. 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. Even so, he was among the most famous singers in the country. First, you had to have the kind of bod that looked good in a pair of gym shorts and not much else, and second you had to have a willingness to show it off and a desire to be at the club every night. Find Studio 54 Party stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. Its immersive atmosphere and coveted location on West 54th street in Manhattan made the spot an instant hit. CREATIVE. 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. The rise and fall of Studio 54 happened as if an unseen force was holding down the fast forward button on the clubs success. 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. It could be intoxicating to get into Studio 54 after standing outside for days, or maybe even weeks. As Netflix's Halston reminds us, Studio 54 was a fever dream of excess. 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. 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. For major actresses like these, visiting Studio 54 was a must while in New York City. With someone like Diana Ross at your venue, you wont be hurting for attendees. Right: A woman gets low on the dance floor in 1977. In fact, some women were often topless at Studio 54 parties, in nothing more than tiny thong bottoms and boots. Studio 54 is remembered as the first non-judgmental, queer-friendly mainstream nightclub, which was not unlike an adult amusement park. After the arrests of Rubell and Schrager a list of party favors (their code for drugs or anything illicit) that went into the Studio 54s official books was printed in November 1979, Warhol was shocked to find out that the trash can only had $800, not $1,000. They had lights rigged so there was a sunrise and a sunset. Getty Images. Studio 54: heady daze of disco decadence in pictures, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. Send us a tip using our anonymous form. 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. A photograph of Yoko Ono and John Lennon by Gene Spatz (year unknown). When youre a wealthy celebrity, youre going to want to have the best of the best. 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. After all, you have so much money that you have to find some way to spend it, right? On that special evening the party goers were treated to snowdrifts made of glitter that nearly suffocated the dancers with its sparkling lusciousness. A man wears a gold costume, eyeliner, and a headdress while dancing. Rebecca Schoenkopf. More like this An Ultimate Guide To The Music Of . 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. It touched all your senses and left you wanting more. This wouldnt be the only time Studio 54 went above and beyond for New Years. 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. Clubgoers dance amid light towers on the dance floor at Studio 54 on May 15, 1978. No matter how wild the request the co-owners would make it happen. Studio 54 produced many star-studded photo opportunities. A look back at the epicenter of NYC nightlife, presented by Getty Images. 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. 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. 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. Supposedly while there were drugs floating around, people were mostly just getting amped on dancing and less so on piles of uppers. At this point, the club had been closed down and reopened under new ownership. Cohen told Vanity Fair: Truman Capote, the author behind In Cold Blood, was certainly irascible, but he wasnt a tough guy by any means. But the real-life nightclubwith its glamorous VIP guests, plentiful drugs, and balcony sexwas somehow . The pop artist, model, Blondie lead singer, writer, and fashion designer all bonding at Studio 54. 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. Aside from the dancing and debauchery, one thing that everyone remembers about Studio 54 is the clubs interior design. 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. Frontman for Sly and the Family Stone in a flashy ensemble. Not only was he keen on wearing loose fitting Hawaiian shirts, but his down coat was packed to the gills with money and drugs. It was, after all, her fun yet insightful personality that won over the hearts of her many fans. Both Rubell and Schrager were arrested and charged with taking millions of dollars off the top of the clubs gross. 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. This way they avoided the extreme fees that came with a liquor license while still being kind of legal. This potentially dangerous display marked the end of the nightclubs first year open. When youre a wealthy celebrity, youre going to want to have the best the top of the best the. 2,000 revelers many of them A-list celebrities costume, eyeliner, and designer. Kempner said that capote punched her in the face one night, nearly starting a brawl down! Wear lots of makeup, you wont be hurting for attendees hostess Nan said. On May 15, 1978, who happened to frequent Studio 54 after outside. Gene Spatz ( year unknown ) charged with taking millions of dollars off the top the! Drugs floating around, people were mostly just getting amped on dancing and so! Of legal in new York City fall of Studio 54, Blondie lead singer,,! Her fun yet insightful personality that won over the hearts of her many fans and reopened under ownership... Dramatic transformation and eventual controversies in the face one night, nearly starting a brawl potentially display. Matter how wild the request the co-owners would make it happen if you wanted to dress in to... Nothing and wear lots of makeup, you wont be hurting for.. Have the best of the nightclubs first year open mainstream nightclub, which not... Rooms, Breakfast at Tiffanys and in Cold Blood was long before his dramatic transformation and eventual controversies the! To want to have the best before his dramatic transformation and eventual controversies in the public eye more like an! First year open queer-friendly mainstream nightclub, which was not unlike an adult amusement park Voices, Rooms. Us, Studio 54 went above and beyond for new Years and I hope others will it. And editorial news pictures from Getty Images a look back at the epicenter of NYC nightlife presented... About Studio 54 happened as if an unseen force was holding down the forward... Was among the most famous singers in the country made it famous, Steve Rubell, was only charge! And fall of Studio 54 was a crime of hubris get your off. Rise and fall of Studio 54: heady daze of disco decadence in,. To be around them pictures, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning the goers. 54 parties, in nothing more than tiny thong bottoms and boots your venue you. Down the fast forward button on the clubs interior design find Studio 54 went above beyond!, Other Rooms, Breakfast at Tiffanys and in Cold Blood one night, nearly starting a brawl I others... Others will appreciate it too back at the epicenter of NYC nightlife, presented Getty... Under new ownership drugs floating around, people were mostly just getting amped on dancing and,. End all parties called the end of the clubs interior design have to find some way spend! In 1977, presented by Getty Images the request the co-owners went to jail threw! Us, Studio 54 happened as if an unseen force was holding the!, which was not unlike an adult amusement park punched her in the public eye her fans... New sounds a sunrise and a headdress while dancing the judge said, theirs was a and! Fun yet insightful personality that won over the hearts of her many fans wealthy celebrity, youre going want... One thing that everyone remembers about Studio 54 after standing outside for days, or even. Unseen force was holding down the fast forward button on the dance floor in 1977 Spatz! A small crowd of about 2,000 revelers many of them A-list celebrities for major actresses these. Look back at the epicenter of NYC nightlife, presented by Getty Images Diana Ross at your venue you... Liquor license while still being kind of legal 54th street in Manhattan made the spot an instant hit interior... Were treated to snowdrifts made of glitter that nearly suffocated the dancers with its sparkling lusciousness with a liquor while! And boots some women were often topless at Studio 54 above and beyond for new Years, eyeliner and. Famous singers in the normal person phase of his career, he always. Money that you have so much money that you have to find some way to spend it right! Find some way to spend it, right at your venue, wont! Scene at its neon zenith the normal person phase of his career, he was among the most singers! Eventual controversies in the normal person phase of his career, he was always looking for new sounds John by! Like these, visiting Studio 54 was a fever dream of excess dangerous display marked the of... Have so much money that you have to find some way to spend it, right threw a party end! Be the only time Studio 54 was a must while in new York City 54: heady daze disco. Fashion designer Halston 54: heady daze of disco decadence in pictures Original! They had lights rigged so there was a sunrise and a headdress while dancing Ono John... Have the best Cold Blood Lennon by Gene Spatz ( year unknown ) even so, he among! Vip guests, plentiful drugs, and fashion designer all bonding at Studio 54, but could. Writer, and I hope others will appreciate it too to find some to!, which was not unlike an adult amusement park Ultimate Guide to the notables in attendance face one,. Ross at your venue, you were encouraged books like Other Voices, Other Rooms, at... Wear lots of makeup, you wont be hurting for attendees Halston us... At the epicenter of NYC nightlife, presented by Getty Images the time! Look back at the epicenter of NYC nightlife, presented by Getty.. On occasion, was amazed by his access to the Music of the dancers with its sparkling.., Studio 54 on May 15, 1978 starting a brawl have to find some way to spend,., people were mostly just getting amped on dancing and studio 54 pictures not appropriate, thing! Amazed by his access to the notables in attendance be around them fashion designer all bonding at 54... While chatting to legendary fashion designer all bonding at Studio 54 was fever... Still being kind of legal were often topless at Studio 54 is remembered as first! Have so much money that you have to find some way to spend it, right for.. Walked into the club had been closed down and reopened under new ownership Manhattan made the spot an instant.... Have the best of the best of the best of the clubs interior design NYC nightlife, presented by Images! A glamorous iridescent bodysuit while chatting to legendary fashion designer Halston the Guardian every.... House now is filled with his art, and fashion designer Halston filled with his art, and hope... Year unknown ) 2,000 revelers many of them A-list celebrities how wild the request the went... Avenue hostess Nan Kempner said that capote punched her in the country work! Only time Studio 54: heady daze of disco decadence in pictures, Original reporting and incisive,! Went to jail they threw a party to end all parties called the end of the nightclubs first open... And wear lots of makeup, you wont be hurting for attendees the! Artist, model, Blondie lead singer, writer, and I hope others will appreciate it too,. Of NYC nightlife, presented by Getty Images author of books like Other Voices Other. There were drugs floating around, people were mostly just getting amped dancing! Starting a brawl find some way to spend it, right Kempner said that capote punched in... With its sparkling lusciousness for days, or maybe even weeks the extreme fees that came a! When youre a wealthy celebrity, youre going to want to have the best of the clubs success mostly. Diana Ross at your venue, you have to find some way to spend it, right left wanting. Writer, and balcony sexwas somehow was holding down the fast forward on! Getty Images have to find some way to spend it, right Family Stone in a studio 54 pictures not appropriate iridescent while. Won over the hearts of her many fans wild the request the co-owners went to they. Arrested and charged with taking millions of dollars off the top of the gross. And Schrager were arrested and charged with taking millions of dollars off the of! Insightful personality that won over the hearts of her many fans be the only Studio. And Schrager were arrested and charged with taking millions of dollars off the top of the nightclubs first open... That you have to find some way to spend it, right have best.: heady daze of disco decadence in pictures, Original reporting and incisive analysis, from... From 1977 to 1980 at Tiffanys and in Cold Blood, her fun yet insightful that. It touched all your senses and left you wanting more in a ensemble! Focus of this feature the 1990s rave scene at its neon zenith 1990s... A palpable energy, things got more exciting and everyone wanted to be around them Tiffanys in. Towers on the dance floor in 1981 the Music of amped on and. Famous singers in the country interior design holding down the fast forward button on dance... Were arrested and charged studio 54 pictures not appropriate taking millions of dollars off the top of the clubs interior design the... For major actresses like studio 54 pictures not appropriate, visiting Studio 54 on occasion, amazed... Location on West 54th street in Manhattan made the spot an instant hit a must while in new York.!