No other nightclub in history hosted as many celebrities as Studio 54. But the photo below is just something else. Rock princess Jerry Hall is seen standing next to Andy Warhol, who has Blondie’s lead singer, Debbie Harry by his side. And who is that grabbing Harry’s hand? None other than Truman Capote, one of the greatest American writers in history.
But maybe the most surprising person in this photo (and the most unrecognizable) is the woman standing at the far right, on the other side of Capote. The woman in the white jacket is none other than Paloma Picasso, Pablo Picasso’s daughter! Talk about an elite guest list.
Cocktails, Dancing, and Nitrous Tanks
Back in the '70s, people took their partying very seriously. And in Studio 54, people took the concept of partying even further. Below is a group of young party-goers having fun with some laughing gas at a Halloween party in 1978. Ah, the good old days when you could just take a huge tank of nitrous oxide onto the dance floor.
The use of laughing gas at Studio 54 was just one of the many examples of the rampant culture in the disco scene, and despite the dangers, Studio 54 continued to attract a crowd that was looking for a wild and indulgent time.
Steve Rubell Gave Andy Warhol a Trash Can Full of Cash For His Birthday
Despite the club’s shady business practices, the owners could also be very generous. For Andy Warhol’s birthday, Steve Rubell gifted his club regular 5,000 free drink tickets and a trash can full of money. When opened, the silver garbage can revealed $1,000 dollars worth of crisp, new $1 bills. Excited club-goers tipped the trash can over Warhol’s head to celebrate, but he wanted to keep the cash.
He scrambled to pick up the fluttering bills before they disappeared into the busy crowd. Rubell and Schrager also allowed their VIP guests to throw their own private parties in the club's basement, and these secret soirées allowed the owners to continue making money after the club's official closing time.
Bianca Jagger Brought Her Own Doves to the Club
Bianca Jagger celebrated plenty of iconic nights at Studio 54. Beyond her mounted entry and her birthday festivities, the star also donned an outrageous outfit for one evening out. Two doves perched on her hands and a gold crown atop her head resulted in a Grecian look other women would be hard-pressed to pull off.
Bianca’s outfit, however, had a motive. When club owner Steve Rubell decided to act as a bouncer, he determined that only the best of the best could make their way inside the doors of Studio 54. Bianca’s outfit ensured her entry into the exclusive club.
The End of Studio 54 Was the End of Disco
A little while after their first run-in with the law, Rubell and Schrager faced allegations from the IRS that they were hiding unreported money and illicit drugs within Studio 54. When two dozen IRS agents arrived to investigate the claims, they searched the club’s vault and found the illegal cash and substances.
In all, the club owners hid $2.5 million from the IRS, resulting in two prison sentences for fraud. After Rubell and Schrager were caught in 1980, Studio 54 permanently closed its doors. Although the owners were eventually released, the disco itself ended when Studio 54 went under.