Disco was a huge part of American culture in the 70s and early 80s. All of the starlets and moguls of the era spent their nights partying and networking at disco clubs. These are rare photos that rarely come out of the vault, with stars like Mick Jagger and Sylvester Stallone frequenting them quite a bit! Let’s head back into one of the most short-lived iconic clubs known.
Gilda Radner
Here is the lovely Gilda Radner enjoying a night out in NYC. Radner was one of the original cast members of SNL best known for her hilarious pointed comedy and naturally enjoyable sketches. She was a Broadway success thanks to her one-woman show. She passed away from ovarian cancer in 1989.
Date Night!
This is a photo of Sidney Poiter and Joanna Shimkus enjoying a date night at Studio 54. The two married in 1976 and were together until Poiters death in 2022. He was the first Black person and Bahamian to win the Academy Award for Best Actor. He's beloved by many in the industry.
Grace Jones
You can't miss that smile! This is Grace Jones partying it up at Studio 54. She was a famous Bond Girl, famous model, singer, and songwriter. She was in her prime during this photo!
Liza Minelli and Steve Rubell
There’s that Liza again! These two were very good pals. Since Liza was a resident of NYC, she was there quite often with her friend Steve Rubell! It was a rare occurrence not to see Minelli dancing the night away.
The Village People
Everyone knows the famous "YMCA" song by The Village People. Did you know that The Village People were all over the disco community? They were the band of all bands! This is a photo from their performance at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California in 1970.
Liza Minelli
The contralto singer is decked out in purple sparkles at the club. She was obviously there to have a good time! What is a disco without Liza Minelli? Not one that we would want to go to, that's for sure.
Liza Minelli, Elizabeth Taylor, Halston, Betty Ford
What an iconic quartet! These four were all dolled up in their sparkles and best dress. They all looked amazing that night! Halston was truly an icon and attracted people from all walks of life. He sadly died from an AIDS complication called Kaposi’s sarcoma.
No Liquor License!
The first-year Studio 54 was open, the owners did not have a liquor license. They were able to purchase daily permits for caterers, not for nightclubs, which they eventually did get caught with. They were closed for one night but they opened the very next day. They were not able to sell alcohol that night.
Wild Party Goers
Although this is an odd sight to see, it's pretty normal for the disco! Things got pretty wild in those clubs. Disco was one of the few places where you could dress up like a total weirdo and not get judged for it!
Celebrating the Titanic...?
In order to ring in the new year of 1975, party promoters brought in a model of the Titanic. The reasoning has been lost to history, but it makes a pretty interesting party backdrop.
Sasha & Sylvester Stallone
The Rocky actor is pictured here with his first wife during one of their many nights out at Studio 54. Stallone had just been nominated for two Academy Awards for his role in Rocky the year before. He was in peak party mode!
Needing to Get In
Notice how everyone is wearing their winter coats. It doesn't matter what the weather is like, there was always a line out the door and down the block to get into Studio 54. Hopefully, they had a coat check!
Diana Ross
Here is a photo of Diana Ross totally in her element! The disc was the perfect soundscape for talented folks like her. Ross made her music debut with The Supremes in the 1960s before branching off on her extremely successful solo career in the 1970s.
Birthday Celebrations
Recognize this face? It's the wife of Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger! Bianca was given the gift of having a super lux party at Studio 54. She even rode a horse into her party! Funny enough, Mick Jagger was known to bring his mistress to Studio 54 often.
Rod Stewart and Steve Rubell
Steve Rubell is the founder and co-owner of Studio 54 in New York City. His main goal was to keep the club as glamorous as possible with VIP guests showing up each night. He once said, “The key to a good party is filling a room with guests more interesting than you.”
Michael Jackson At Studio 54
It only makes sense for Michael Jackson to perform in disco clubs, right? MJ was a frequent disco clubber and performer. What an iconic set to catch!
Robin Williams
Robin Williams was a young 27-years-old in this photo! His debut show Mork and Mindy had just begun picking up speed. He was on the fast track to fame!
Brooke Shields and Mariel Hemingway
Brooke Shields was a huge name in the celebrity world. She was well on her way to becoming a successful actor and model at the young age of 14. Weirdly enough, she was often spotted at disco clubs as a young teenager. She and friend Mariel Hemingway, who was only three years older than Shields, was often at the disco clubs at her side, also underage.
Diane Von Furstenberg and Boyfriend Barry Diller
The famous fashion designer is seen casually lounging with her media then mogul boyfriend in the studio. They were obviously making themselves very comfortable at the club, despite the fact that it was very much, in fact, a club. Diller and von Fuerstenberg married in 2001.
Doorman to the Club
19-year-old bouncer Marc Benecke got the final say in who gets into the club. Even though he wasn't even of legal age to enter the club, he got the final say as to who did or didn't get into the disco. After this gig, he ended up opening a bunch of bars and getting into real estate!
Woody Allen and Michael Jackson
At the time, Woody Allen was one of the most famous and powerful directors out there. Michael Jackson was also revving up his solo career to become one of the most iconic musicians ever. This was way before either of them were wracked with scandals.
The Iconic Studio 54 Sign
The sign itself became an icon for the exclusive club. The bright and shining ’54’ lit up the street, calling all of its potential club-goers to just try and get in. When those lights went on, everyone knew what was going down that night.
Fleur Thiemeyer and Elton John
Fleur Thiemeyer was a famous Australian costume designer. She worked with folks like Whitesnake, Mick Jagger, Ozzy Osbourne, and, of course, Elton John. These two were best known for their wild style and noncomforming tastes. These two were at a disco premiere for Grease.
The Line To Get In (And Get Snacks)
Studio 54 wasn't open for very long, so it's easy to say that this is what the block looked like every night that it was open. If you were stuck waiting in line, no worries! The Studio 54 Snack Stand was also open for business.
Liza Minelli and Mikhail Baryshnikov
Mikhail Baryshnikov is a famous choreographer who consistently worked with Liza Minelli. Here they are dancing the night away for pleasure, not for business! You wouldn't know they were professional dancers by looking at this photo.
DJ Booth Views
Discos either had live disk jockeys or live performances set the mood for the club. This is a photo of a DJ with folks crowing around them.
The Halston
Halston is a famous designer known for his minimalist and clean designs. He was so famous that he only went by Halston and everyone knew who he was. He was a constant sight in disco clubs, especially Studio 54.
A Bumpin' Club
Popular discos were always looking like this on a weekend night! People were packed into these clubs to dance the night away. This was the height of disco.
New Years At The Disco
If you weren't spending New Year's Eve at the disco then what were you doing? The disco was the place to be! This photo features Halston, Bianca Jagger, and Andy Warhol. You can also see Jack Haley Jr. and Liza Minelli!
Taking Disco to a Whole New Level
Disco, but make it camp. This guy decided to take disco figuratively and become a disco ball. It must have been a little difficult to see, but it was worth it!
Ara Gallant and Diane von Furstenberg
We’ve got quite the crowd for Egon von Furstenberg’s book party! The royal published his book ‘The Power Look’ in 1978 and held an awesome party at Studio 54. This was Diane’s first experience of the club, and she kept coming back for more!
Massive Crowds
Everyone wanted to be a part of the Studio 54 crowd. You were literally partying among the stars! Who wouldn't want to be there?
Star-Studded Group
This was such an impressive group! We have Lorna Luft, Jerry Hall, Andy Warhol, Debbie Harry, Truman Capote, and Paloma Picasso. This photo was taken at an Interview party in 1979.
Mick Jagger
Here is Jagger pictured at his wife’s, Bianca, birthday party. They were married in 1971 and got divorced in 1979 when Mick was caught having an affair with Jerry Hall (who also frequented the club!) Jagger now has eight children, five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Drag is Welcome Here!
Who doesn’t love a good drag queen? Disco clubs had many queens grace its dancefloor each night! Divine and the Dame Rollerena were both very popular queens that loved the club as much as the rest of the patrons. The Dame even took things to the next level and roller-skated all around the club.
First Night of Business
This was the first night that Studio 54 was open! They had hired awesome disco dancers to start the legacy off on the right foot. This night alone is what made this club so successful!
Disco + Hippie
People from all walks of life went to the disco It was very much known for melding the disco scene and the hippie movement all in one place! The club was all about free love, which both sides could easily agree on.
Diane von Furstenberg and Barry Diller
We here have this adorable couple on yet another night out! “I had more fun at Studio 54 than in any other nightclub in the world,” Furstenberg told Vanity Fair. Makes sense, since she was there so often!
Rod Stewart, Steve Rubell, and Alana Hamilton
Rod Stewart was enjoying a night out with his wife, Alana Hamilton, and was able to hang out with Studio 54 co-owner Steve Rubell (on the left). Rubell was always surrounded by the coolest celebs!
Jerry Hall and Diana Vreeland
The model and fashion editor were having some fun and networking at Studio 54. Diana Vreeland has worked for Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar in her career. She was added to the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame in 1964.
Fun Partygoers
These guys were not celebs, or even DJs… They just had the look that the owners of Studio 54 were looking for! Their wild lifestyles and even wilder choices of outfits were what made them stand out to go in. They were basically hired partygoers to make things feel more alive.
Robert Kennedy Jr. and Jules Dreyfus
What an interesting couple! They were once engaged but broke it off. Robert Kennedy Jr. is the nephew of President John F. Kennedy and son of U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy.
All Legends
This photo of all of these great legends barely even touches on how many celebrities and starlets went to the club! This photos features music industry greats like Eartha Kitt, Yul Brynner, Mikhail Baryshnikov, and Gloria Swanson.
Mick and Bianca Jagger
This is another photo at Bianca’s famous birthday party. Her 30th birthday party was one of the most iconic of the bunch. They officially divorced almost three years later.
Who Can You See?
There are literally tons of famous faces in this crowd. Can you make out some of them? Here's one: Andy Warhol!
Tales of the Club
Here, we have Halston, Bianca, and Mick Jagger. Not much longer after this photo was taken, the couple split up. Bianca claims that the marriage was over within a year of marriage, but they tried to stay together for their daughter. Once they divorced, Mick was already deeply involved with Jerry Hall.
Another Wild Costume
Hollywood talent manager Sandy Gallin said, “In my mind, I remember it as a 10-to-15-year period. In reality, it only lasted two or three years.” It was only 33 months between its opening-night party on April 26, 1977, and the farewell party was thrown for Rubell and Schrager on February 2, 1980.
Paloma Picasso
Another wonderful shot of the daughter of Pablo Picasso.
Only Open for 33 Months…
This iconic club was only open for a short 33 months. It was a hazy time with people constantly in and out. They closed due to the owners going to jail for tax evasion.
Martha Graham,Elizabeth Taylor, Liza Minelli, First Lady Betty Ford
These glam and powerful women were dressed to the nines!
Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall
The scandal! Little did the public know, the two were in an incredible affair during this photo. Mick was still married to his wife, Bianca.
Valentino’s Birthday Party
Of course, Valentino would have his party here! Here we have Carlos Souza and Lorenzo Villarini wearing some incredible costumes for the occasion.
Iconic Drag Queen
Drag was a huge part of disco, especially in New York City. This photo features drag queen Divine and supermodel and actor Grace Jones (sitting on a motorcycle eating cake?) in the middle of the dance floor at Studio 54. True icons!
Disco Isn't Always Dancing!
Sometimes, you have to take a seat and find your breath. These women were caught in between dancing sprees relaxing on the couch. Dancing the night away is exhausting, but they still make it look glam!
A Fine Trio
Pictured here is Bethann Hardison, Daniela Morera, and Stephen Burrows. They were special guests at the Studio 54 birthday party for Valentino. What a party to be invited to!
Curtis Mayfield
Curtis Mayfield was caught letting loose in Studio 54! Mayfield was a singer/songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. He's best remembered as a powerful force behind soul and political music. In 1990, he was left paralyzed after lighting equipment fell on him during a live performance in Brooklyn. He passed away in 1999 due to complications with diabetes.
Two Icons, One Photo
The two icons in this photo are Kevin and Michael Shultz. They were popular drag queens in New York City. Obviously, they weren't in drag at the time and were simply enjoying a night off.
Introducing: Roller Disco
There's disco, and then there's roller disco. This was a part of disco that was popularized in the 1970s and usually took place in a roller rink. It was a 20-year long fad with some pockets of roller disco fiends still popping up all over the world. Let's bring it back!
Recognize These Two?
You may not recognize them out of glam, but this is a photo of Diana Ross and Richard Gere! These two were always all over disco dance floors. They were often seen at Studio 54.
Fancy Night Out
David Bowie is pictured at club L'Alcazar with Romy Haag. This was during Bowie's Ziggy Stardust era, which fit perfectly in the disco vibe. This photo was taken in 1976.