After being invited by Grace Jones, Nile Rodgers, and Bernard Edwards, the members of the band Chic arrived at Studio 54 on New Year’s Eve, 1977. Unfortunately, Jones failed to leave their names at the door, and they weren’t allowed onto the hallowed dance floor. Angry and dejected, Rodgers and Edwards returned to their apartment and started composing an angry song about their rejection.
The irate tune ultimately turned into “Le Freak,” Chic’s first number-one and biggest song of all time, which went on to become an iconic disco anthem and a tribute to the exclusivity and excesses institution. The club may be long gone, but its legacy lives on in the music, fashion, and art of the era.
Donald and Ivana Trump Attended the Club On Opening Night
Although Donald Trump now has an entirely different set of interests and sits in the Oval Office, over 40 years ago, he was one of the first in line to engage in the party lifestyle at Studio 54. On the club’s opening night, Trump was one of the first people to arrive alongside his then-wife Ivana.
After dining at Upper West Side restaurant 'Elaine’s,' with socialite Nikki Haskell and her date, the group decided to check out what was, at the time, simply a new club. According to Haskell, the club was nearly empty when they arrived. In fact, it looked like it was still being put together.
Party Pals Keith Richards and Chuck Berry
It's not hard to imagine the conversations that took place inside the walls of Studio 54. Rock 'n' Roll pioneer Chuck Berry was also a famous patron of the infamous nightclub, and apparently, so was the Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards. Below, the two rock legends are seen laughing and chatting it up in February 1980.
Maybe the seasoned 54-year-old Chuck Berry was giving a wide-eyed 37-year-old Keith Richards some guitar-playing tips. The photo of the two of them together is a testament to the power of music and the enduring influence of Studio 54 on popular culture.
Karl Lagerfeld Hosted an 18th Century Party in Studio 54
After learning of Studio 54’s ability to throw an incredible party, Karl Lagerfeld decided to host his own get-together that centered on the theme of an 18th-century ball. In line with the theme, candlelight was used as the primary source of illumination.
Attendees and staff donned powdered wigs and court dresses and waltzed across the dance floor during an evening that felt like it was right out of a movie set. In an instant, Studio 54 could transform from a ‘70s club into a grand ballroom, a feat that shocked anyone lucky enough to attend these functions.
Even First Lady Betty Ford Found Her Way to Studio 54
Rumors of immorality aside, no one could pass up the opportunity to check out Studio 54. In fact, the First Lady herself, Betty Ford, eventually found her way into the club, where she rubbed elbows with big names in entertainment, like Liza Minnelli and Elizabeth Taylor.
Dressed in sparkling disco attire, Betty Ford returned to her entertainment roots during her evening at Studio 54. A dancer in her youth, Betty relished the opportunity to show off her moves once again, forgetting about her new position in the political sphere for just one evening.