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.
Bette Midler Was Starstruck When She Met The Temptations
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.
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.
Dolly Parton Brought a Strong Dose of Country to the NYC Club
While Bianca Jagger made the white horse famous, Dolly Parton was the reason the animal came to Studio 54 in the first place. Desperate to make the Queen of Country comfortable, owner Steve Rubell brought in the magnificent white beast. While Dolly loved her stunning white steed, plenty of other animals also roamed the disco.
Chickens and mules wandered through the exclusive club, joining the celebrities on the dance floor or finding a bit of solace in the decorative wagon filled with hay. It may have been an NYC nightclub, but Studio 54 boasted a strong touch of country.
Warhol Gifted Rubell With a Money-Themed Sculpture
As repayment for his garbage can full of money, Andy Warhol gave Steve Rubell his own money-themed gift. When Rubell was sentenced to prison for tax evasion, Warhol presented him with a brass sculpture filled with cut-out dollar signs. While some may have thought the gift was in poor taste, it was a Warhol original.
It perfectly commemorated Rubell’s long friendship with the artist and his well-known love of money. No one could say it wasn’t personal. The gift was a testament to the personal relationship between the two men and the unique culture of Studio 54, where art, music, and money intertwined in unexpected ways.