While Studio 54 was always filled with the decade’s most notable A-listers, even celebrities sometimes could get a little starstruck. After releasing one of their albums, The Temptations — one of the biggest bands in the 1970s — threw a party at Studio 54 to celebrate. The event drew a who’s who of A-listers, including Bette Midler, who was already a celebrated entertainer in her own right.
Despite her own fame, Midler couldn’t hide her excitement when she had the opportunity to meet The Temptations. Photographs of the encounter capture her expression of complete shock as she grasps their hands and introduces herself.
Timothy Leary Turns On, Tunes In, and Drops Out at Studio 54
Even though it is not surprising to see Timothy Leary at a place where substances could be found at every corner, the photo below is truly a gem. Leary, a former psychologist from Harvard University, became the ultimate icon of '60s counterculture and psychedelics.
We're guessing that apart from whatever he took that night, Leary has a smile from ear to ear because he was at the post-premier party of the "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" film on March 6, 1978. The film, a musical inspired by the Beatles' album of the same name, was a celebration of the band's legacy and cultural influence, making it an event that Leary would not want to miss.
A Young Brooke Shields and Mariel Hemingway Somehow Made Their Way Into the Club
Before Brooke Shields graced the cover of Vogue, she was simply a young model looking to take advantage of everything New York City could offer. At only twelve years old, Brooke somehow made her way past the picky bouncer and onto the taboo dance floor of Studio 54. But Brooke wasn’t the only underage celebrity to sneak her way into the club.
She was joined by Mariel Hemingway, the granddaughter of the famous American author Ernest Hemingway. Together, the two young girls danced their evenings away at the nightclub far before they transformed into the beauty icons they are today.
Disco Sally Loved Showing Off Her Moves
While Studio 54 was often filled with fresh faces, Sally Lippman didn’t allow the young crowd to deter her from having a good time. After her husband passed away, Sally visited Studio 54 while attempting to find some new purpose in life. Despite her old age, she immediately fell in love with the club and visited it many times in the future.
The dance moves Sally brought to Studio 54 earned her the name “Disco Sally.” She was such a popular patron that the manager granted her access whenever she decided her dancing shoes could use a night out.
Bianca Jagger and Liza Minnelli Teamed Up to Provide Entertainment
In case you haven’t figured this out yet, Studio 54 was no ordinary club. While requests from the DJ may frown upon today, Studio 54 turned their illustrious patrons into the entertainment plan. On more than one occasion, the biggest names in music stepped up to provide entertainment at Studio 54. Liza Minnelli and Bianca Jagger once performed a duet while Andy Warhol documented the experience in photos.
What most people might wait a lifetime to experience was simply another normal evening at the ‘70s disco. These unforgettable moments were just part of a typical evening at Studio 54, where guests never knew what kind of excitement they might encounter.