The Secret Life of Studio 54: the Legendary 70s Nightclub(6)
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Jagger and Jacques
This amazing picture shows just some of the exuberant shapes that were thrown on Studio 54’s legendary dance floor. Here we can see model and activist Bianca Jagger performing an ambitious move with model and actor Sterling St. Jacques.
Sterling was a rising star during the venue’s heyday, appearing on covers of magazines and modelling for brands such as Halston and Givenchy. He also appeared in several movies, such as 1978’s Eyes of Laura Mars with Faye Dunaway.
Two’s Company
Suzanne Somers had just landed her role in the ABC sitcom Three’s Company before the famous Studio 54 opened its doors in 1977. This was to become her breakout part, with Somers’ character Chrissy one of the favorites of the show, and the role propelling her to worldwide stardom.
In later years, Somers carved out a new career as a writer and has penned several self-help books. Here she is at the height of her fame ripping up the Studio 54 dance floor with her husband Alan Hamel.
An Epic Space
This picture shows the sheer vastness of the dance floor at Studio 54 and the scale of its popularity. As the site of an old theatre, the nightclub had a capacity of over 1,000, and was regularly packed out with partiers. Even with the venue’s exclusive entrance policy, the place was thronging with people, dancing the night away in the sumptuous and opulent surroundings.
However full it became inside, the line outside remained teeming with hopeful partygoers, desperate to get in and play their part in disco’s history.
The Greatest Show on Earth
As we know, Studio 54 was renowned for putting on incredibly lavish productions, only growing in excess and exuberance as time went on and the nightclub became more and more famous. Here we can see a troupe of dancers performing some impressive and outlandish moves, no doubt bringing the party vibe to the era-defining venue.
Whether a bringing out a group of choreographed dancers, a display of live animals cantering across the dance floor, or a surprise glitter bomb to celebrate New Year’s Eve, one thing’s for sure – it was never a dull moment at Studio 54.
Happy Birthday, Liz!
Here we can see Elizabeth Taylor with fashion designer Halston as he and a gaggle of similarly clad ladies gather to present her with a cake on her birthday party. Perhaps they were to perform a dance piece after the cake moment?
Taylor looks delighted by the scenario, whatever the troupe behind her are assembled for. She doesn’t even look particularly fazed by the fact that her cake is a giant image of her face, and has a huge knife in it.
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Dancing Queen
It’s no surprise to see superstar singer and actress Cher enjoying an exuberant dance here with screenwriter Howard Himelstein. The young Cher started out her career in Hollywood as a dancer in many of the small clubs on the town’s Sunset Strip.
Many years, albums, and critical accolades later, Cher would go on to release an ABBA-inspired cover album featuring many of their hits, including the classic “Dancing Queen*, which encapsulated Cher’s early years and love of performing.
The World’s a Stage
Here you can see the packed dance floor of the legendary nightclub. People were so desperate to gain entry through its hallowed doors and rub shoulders with the Hollywood elite, that they would happily pile in and get up close and personal with strangers as they partied the night away.
The nightclub building was previously a theatre, and the owners used this structure to their full advantage. The dance floor was complemented with movable sets and special effects systems, meaning that each night at the club was a performance to remember.
A Beautiful Friendship
This wasn’t the only time Tina Turner and Rod Stewart, pictured here with Stewart’s then-wife Alana, enjoyed a night out at a dance club together. Turner famously impersonated Stewart on stage at New York club the Ritz while he was in the audience, donning a blond wig and performing covers of several of his songs. Fortunately, it was all received in good spirits, and the following day Stewart invited Turner on stage to sing “Hot Legs” with him during his stint on Saturday Night Live.
Lady in White
Studio 54 was of course known as a celebrity hotspot and “regular” people would queue outside for hours trying to get in. The owner, Steve Rubell, was renowned for being extremely picky about who he would let in, often standing at the door himself and sizing up potential punters.
If you weren’t a celebrity, you had to impress the doorman in some other way if you wanted to be granted access to the exclusive nightclub. Perhaps it was this woman’s fantastic style, with her all-white dress and matching boots, that gave her an all-access pass to the venue.
Wild Horses
Celebrities, special animal guests, lavish birthday parties – these were all key parts of what helped cement Studio 54’s legacy as one of the greatest nightclubs of all time.
Here we can see an instance featuring all three! Bianca Jagger rides a white horse across the dance floor while celebrating her thirty-second birthday. Owner Steve Rubell had seen Jagger riding a white horse previously and so decided to surprise her with the opportunity to do so at her own birthday party.
“It was a beautiful white horse that reminded me of mine,” she later said about the experience.
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Man of the Moment
The founder and co-owner of Studio 54, Steve Rubell, was a legend on the party circuit for his role in managing the famous nightclub. He was well-known for his exclusive standards and often stood outside the venue himself deciding who should and shouldn’t be granted entry. He always placed a special emphasis on making sure his celebrity guests were well looked after, ensuring an A-list clientele night after night.
Here he is with Andy Warhol, Calvin Klein, and Brooke Shields.
Rock With You
In this photo, a young Michael Jackson is seen with rocker Steven Tyler from Aerosmith. Tyler’s rock-and-roll lifestyle might not be what you’d think of as compatible with the Jackson 5’s then ultra-clean-living image, but things seem pretty relaxed and friendly in this photo.
It is said that the time Jackson spent at the nightclub is what influenced the change in his sound to a more hip-hop style as he embarked on a solo career. Soon after Studio 54 closed its doors, Jackson went on to become one of the greatest pop stars in history and known to many as the King of Pop.
Knockout Match
It is said that Hollywood heavyweight Sylvester Stallone was inspired to write the film Rocky after watching a boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Chuck Wepner, and came up with the screenplay in just over three days.
By the time Studio 54 was in full swing, Stallone had achieved global stardom and critical acclaim for his work on the film which he both wrote and starred in. Here he is with Sheryl Slocum looking characteristically rugged and ready to party.
The Power of Three
Talk about a celebrity powerhouse! This triumvirate of superstar women is another clear example of just how star-studded this legendary nightclub really was. Where else could you see Liza Minelli, Elizabeth Taylor and First Lady Betty Ford relaxing on a sofa together?
What we wouldn’t give to know what these three megastars were talking about. Elizabeth Taylor had already won two Oscars and been nominated for three more at this point, and Minelli had won for her career-defining performance in Cabaret. It’s no wonder that they were rubbing shoulders with the presidential family, the closest thing to American royalty.
Never Fully Dressed
World-renowned supermodel and fashion icon Grace Jones was certainly never worried about being overdressed on her legendary nights out at the famous nightclub.
She is known for going all-out with her outfits, surprising fans and photographers everywhere with her outlandish and creative style.
Here she is wearing an intricate and elaborate headdress – was it to keep adoring fans from getting too close to her and invading her personal space? Despite her wacky style and its possible original intent, Jones still comes across as a genuine and relatable person, thanks to the joyous smile spreading across her face.
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Wings of a Dove
As well as its regular performers, Studio 54 was renowned for featuring live animals as part of the acts and shows for entertainment value, stopping at nothing to give its guests an incredible night to remember.
Here we can see Bianca Jagger surrounded by a flock of white doves, as she holds one of the beautiful birds in her own hands. Standing next to her is Steve Rubell, the owner of the nightclub and the man behind many of these legendary nights.
Macho Macho Men
Another thing that defined the whirlwind decade of the 70s was its innovative and boundary-pushing music. One example of that was The Village People, who are pictured here at the club in their typically flamboyant get-up. The Village People turned the traditional ideas of masculinity and gender roles on their heads with their public image and music. They became poster figures for the LGBT community after releasing unforgettable songs such as “YMCA” and “Macho Man”, thrilling audiences with their quirky outfits and suggestive lyrics.
Funny Guy
World famous actor and beloved comedian Robin Williams was already a big star by the end of the 70s, best known for his performance as charismatic alien Mork in Mork and Mindy. He would go on to charm the world in a variety of roles, possibly most notably as the kindhearted genie in Disney’s 1992 production of Aladdin, a character written especially for him.
Here he is displaying that famous charm with Valerie Velardi, who he would later go on to marry and have a child with, his first son Zachary Pym "Zak" Williams.
Hollywood Heavyweights
This picture shows just how heavily star-laden the legendary Studio 54 really was. An average night would see three mega stars such as Calvin Klein, Bianca Jagger and world-famous boxer Muhammad Ali stroll through its doors.
The fashion designer and model and activist are clearly enthralled with whatever Ali is saying, both taken in utterly by the boxer’s incredible star power. Ali is considered by many as the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time, and in 1999 Sports Illustrated named him as the greatest sportsman of the 20th century.
All Smiles
The 70s was a decade of extravagance, splendor, and hedonism–the perfect antidote to what many found a difficult period in America’s history. Despite the political and economic upheaval going on around them, the Hollywood elite found a safe haven in the legendary nightclub where they could escape the real-world problems and dance their troubles away.
Here we can see American fashion photographer Francesco Scavullo with Grammy-award-winning singer Tina Turner, laughing away together seemingly without a care in the world.
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Child Stars
Before cementing her status as a bona fide A-lister with roles in blockbusters such as The Blue Lagoon and the TV show Suddenly Susan, Brooke Shields had already won worldwide acclaim at the tender age of 12 thanks to her performance in Pretty Baby.
Here she is pictured with Mariel Hemingway, the great-granddaughter of Nobel prize laureate and famous novelist Ernest Hemingway. Mariel was also a genuine star in her own right, having already earned a Golden Globe nomination for her role in Lipstick at only 14.
Wings of a Dove
As well as its regular performers, Studio 54 was renowned for featuring live animals as part of the acts and shows for entertainment value, stopping at nothing to give its guests an incredible night to remember.
Here we can see Bianca Jagger surrounded by a flock of white doves, as she holds one of the beautiful birds in her own hands. Standing next to her is Steve Rubell, the owner of the nightclub and the man behind many of these legendary nights.
Macho Macho Men
Another thing that defined the whirlwind decade of the 70s was its innovative and boundary-pushing music. One example of that was The Village People, who are pictured here at the club in their typically flamboyant get-up. The Village People turned the traditional ideas of masculinity and gender roles on their heads with their public image and music. They became poster figures for the LGBT community after releasing unforgettable songs such as “YMCA” and “Macho Man”, thrilling audiences with their quirky outfits and suggestive lyrics.
Funny Guy
World famous actor and beloved comedian Robin Williams was already a big star by the end of the 70s, best known for his performance as charismatic alien Mork in Mork and Mindy. He would go on to charm the world in a variety of roles, possibly most notably as the kindhearted genie in Disney’s 1992 production of Aladdin, a character written especially for him.
Here he is displaying that famous charm with Valerie Velardi, who he would later go on to marry and have a child with, his first son Zachary Pym "Zak" Williams.
Hollywood Heavyweights
This picture shows just how heavily star-laden the legendary Studio 54 really was. An average night would see three mega stars such as Calvin Klein, Bianca Jagger and world-famous boxer Muhammad Ali stroll through its doors.
The fashion designer and model and activist are clearly enthralled with whatever Ali is saying, both taken in utterly by the boxer’s incredible star power. Ali is considered by many as the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time, and in 1999 Sports Illustrated named him as the greatest sportsman of the 20th century.
The Secret Life of Studio 54: Inside the Legendary 70s Nightclub
The legendary New York nightclub Studio 54 was the epitome of the 70s – its joyful decadence came to define what was known as the “disco era”. Over the course of its three-year tenure, the club became one of the most exclusive and coveted party spots and saw the biggest stars of the moment passing through its doors.
The tales of this world-famous venue and the adventures that took place within its walls eventually passed on into legend. But was it all really true?
Read on for a behind-the-scenes look at what really went on behind the doors of Studio 54.
Ride a White Horse
Notorious for its exclusive entrance policy, Studio 54 became the place to be for celebrities and mere mortals alike. Prospective partygoers were desperate to gain access to the legendary nightclub and some would stand in line for hours just to get a chance to be let inside its glittery walls.
If you weren’t a bona fide celeb and A-lister, you had to find other ways of being special enough to earn your spot. People would try everything to impress the doorman in the hope of getting in. Here we can see a hopeful clubgoer arriving on a horse–that’s one way to make an entrance!
Disco Diva
In the late 70s, world-famous diva Cher was at the top of her game. With over ten albums under her belt already, some solo and some with her husband and singing partner Sonny Bono, the songstress continued to go from strength to strength with her killer voice and inimitable style.
By the end of the decade, Cher was also beginning to turn to more and more acting roles, shifting to a glittering career that would see her critically acclaimed and eventually winning an Oscar.
Here she is in one of her trademark attention-grabbing outfits, partying the night away.
The Greatest Show On Earth
Studio 54 was renowned for putting on some of the most hair-raising spectacles as part of its entertainment during its legendary parties. Some of the stories could never be believed if there weren’t pictures to prove it.
Here we can see two dancers seemingly swinging upside down from the ceiling, as partygoers look on and dance along with them. It is not clear whether these were professional dancers or just some extremely enthusiastic clubbers who felt like cranking things up a notch – after all, it was the 70s and nothing was off limits in this legendary venue.
Power Couple
Two of the celebrity A-listers that were often seen at the club were Mick and Bianca Jagger. Mick had achieved worldwide fame with his record-breaking rock band The Rolling Stones, and Bianca was a famous model and political activist. Together the two made for a formidable celebrity power couple and their mere presence at the club was enough to turn the night into one of legend. Here they are sitting with fashion designer Halston, credited with redefining American style in the late 70s.