Although many patrons knew that getting through the door was difficult, some still didn’t take rejection well at all. Disgruntled would-be customers could even get violent in their anger about not being allowed into the club. The scariest experience with a rejected club-goer occurred when security chief Chuck Garelick was ambushed in the early hours of the morning by a group of men carrying guns.
The men shot above his head, and Chuck managed to escape without a scratch, but the experience was terrifying all the same. This level of violence only added to the already edgy and dangerous atmosphere surrounding Studio 54, and despite all this, the club still remained one of the most desirable places to be seen, no matter the risks.
Studio 54 Knew Something About Human Nature
Studio 54 was meant to cater to people's most basic desires, which eventually made it the success story it is now. As Schrager sees it, people haven't changed much — what they want is to socialize, interact, and be around other people. We may have fancier technology, new skyscrapers, and online communication, but that hasn't eliminated our need for human connection. .
While the hospitality and entertainment industry has changed, we as humans have not changed that much. People kept coming as long as the club saw these desires and urges. The lessons Schrager learned from Studio 54 have served him well throughout his career and continue to remind us that, at our core, we all desire the same thing: to connect with others in a meaningful way
Even the Fonz Couldn't Get In
It seemed as if there were special demands to meet and that those demands were secretly changed on a nightly (or even hourly) basis. Celebrities were a little more likely to get in than common folk, but sometimes even that wasn't enough. Henry Winkler is the best example of someone famous being turned down at the door.
At the time, he was playing Arthur Fonzarelli, aka Fonzie, in the super successful TV show "Happy Days," but even that couldn't get him past the velvet ropes. The incident made headlines, and even today, it's still a reminder that not everyone was welcome at Studio 54, regardless of their status.
Bianca Jagger Celebrated Her Birthday at Studio 54
Since Studio 54 quickly established itself as an A-list destination, it should come as no surprise that former actress and women’s rights advocate Bianca Jagger celebrated her 32nd birthday at the club. Alongside her then-husband, Mick Jagger, Bianca danced the night away at the most popular disco in New York. Photos of Bianca and Mick depict an evening of carefree celebration within the walls of the legendary club.
Bianca's party was attended by a host of A-list celebrities, including Andy Warhol, Liza Minnelli, and Halston. The event remains one of the most memorable moments in Studio 54's history and exemplified the kind of over-the-top extravagance that became synonymous with the club.
The Famous Vinyl
Even though Studio 54 was open for less than three years, it definitely made an unforgettable mark in disco history. The nightclub, famous for playing mostly disco music, always brought in the best DJs in the business. The music they played was so popular that a label called Casablanca Records released an album with the club's most famous songs, titled "A Night At Studio 54."
The club even hosted live performances from popular artists like Donna Summer, Grace Jones, and Chic. The DJ booth was a central feature of the club, and the legendary DJ, Richie Kaczor, better known as DJ Richie K, was the club's resident DJ for most of its time in operation.