Gyrating grannies, megastars and a topless 'Lady Godiva' on a white horse... amazing pictures reveal what went on inside New York's exclusive Studio 54 nightclub in its '70s heyday
By Rachel Davis
IN its heyday, Studio 54 was the hangout of seventies superstars, including Mick Jagger, Rod Stewart and pop art king Andy Warhol.
The New York club was famed for its hedonistic clientele with drag queens and naked girls mixing freely with the stars – and an “anything goes” attitude.
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Rolling Stones star Mick Jagger and wife Bianca pictured at the club in February 1977Credit: Getty - Contributor
In 1978, a year after it was converted from a theatre to a nightclub, owners Steve Rubell and partner Ian Shragel had raked in £5.5 million and boasted that “only the Mafia made more money.”
At the height of its fame, Bianca Jagger famously rode a white horse through the club to celebrate her 30th birthday and, for his birthday, Andy Warhol was presented with a bucket full of dollar bills.
To get into the exclusive nightspot you had first to get past Steve, who guarded the door every night and frequently sent people home to change or told them “you're ugly, you're not coming in.”
But he lavished the famous faces with treats and gifts to make sure they kept coming back.
The doors finally closed on in December 1979, 33 months after opening, when the club was raided by tax officials and bags full of money were found hidden around the building.
A final party and prison send-off was held in February 1980, with Diana Ross serenading Steve and Ian, watched by club regulars including Richard Gere, Jack Nicholson, Sylvester Stallone and Gia Carangi.
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A model pulls a Lady Godiva stunt by arriving at the club on a white horseCredit: Getty
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Rod Stewart and Alana Hamilton hang out with owner Steve Rubell at the clubCredit: Getty - Contributor
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Superstar Michael Jackson and Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler soak up the atmosphereCredit: Getty - Contributor
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Cher makes an entrance at the club in 1977Credit: Getty - Contributor
The owners were jailed and sold the building to Mark Fleischman, who reopened the club in 1981.
But it never again reached the iconic status of the 1977-79 era.
Bianca Jagger feeds cake to husband Mick on her birthdayCredit: Getty
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Rocky star Sylvester Stallone and Joyce Ingalls at Studio 54 in 1978Credit: Getty - Contributor
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A dancer in feather headset mixes at the club in the seventies heyday
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A New Year's Eve party at Studio 54 with stars including Bianca Jagger, Jack Haley Jr. and wife Liza Minnelli and Andy WarholCredit: Time & Life Pictures - Getty
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Good looks and fame may have been the best ticket in but grannies could have a great time tooCredit: Getty - Contributor
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Fleur Thiemeyer and Elton John at a Grease party at the club in 1978Credit: This content is subject to copyright.
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Robin Williams dancing with wife Valerie and have some fun with Santa Claus at Studio 54 in 1979Credit: Getty - Contributor
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The Exorcist star Linda Blair makes a trunk call with a large palCredit: Getty
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There was never a dull moment with wacky performer Grace Jones aroundCredit: Getty - Contributor
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This man has dressed as a baby for the Halloween party while his companion has hardly dressed at allCredit: Getty - Contributor
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Naturally the beefy barmen didn't wear shirts to serve the drinksCredit: Patrick McMullan
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Raunchy displays from half-naked women were par for the course
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Sonny and Cher hit the dance floor at their favourite hangoutCredit: Getty - Contributor
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There was plenty of room to flop if you fancied a lie downCredit: Getty - Contributor
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Kate Harrington, Truman Capote and Gloria Swanson have a good night in 1978
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DJ Richie Kaczor and club owner Steve Rubell in the D.J. Booth of Studio 54 in New York City in 1977Credit: Premium Archive - Getty
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Clothing was optional at the club where anything goesCredit: Getty
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Drugs were an inevitable part of the scene, with laughing gas among the highs passed aroundCredit: Getty - Contributor
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Farah Fawcett and Ryan O'Neal boogie in 1978Credit: Getty - Contributor
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A man dressed as a gold statue at the reopening of the club in 1981Credit: Getty - Contributor
