I'm sure your audience already knows, but Chic tried to get into Studio 54 one night but were turned away. So they ended up back at Nile Rodgers's place, got drunk, and wrote a song that went. "Awww, fuck you!" Soon after, they changed "fuck you" to..."freak out," and thus a hit was born!
That is ironic since Chic's music is seen as totally characteristic of the Studio 54 vibe. The club owners seemed immature and stuck up to me, based on watching this.
Nile Rodgers resume is impressive...even though I'm more of a Chic fan than the bands he's produced, the guy has written/produced for Madonna, Duran Duran, David Bowie, The Thompson Twins. Beverly Hills Cop, INXS, and numerous others. Clout chaser Steve would be rolling in his grave if he knew how much of a heavy Nile was.
I worked with this guy, and we were talking on our breaks. I happened to bring up Studio 54. He said to me, you don't want to know about that place. I said, what do you mean? The guy said I went to Studio 54 when I was very young with a friend of mine. He said look, I'm not religious, and I was gay then and I'm gay now, but that place was totally what I would have imagined Sodom and Gomorrah would be like. He was completely horrified. He said there were people having sex everywhere. He said, you had to step over people who were on the floor all over the place having sex. He said downstairs there were orgies of every type going on. He said, there was drug taking everywhere, and people were walking around stoned. He said both me and my friend didn't walk out of there, we both ran out. He said you had to be there to grasp at the intense slimy, sleazy, grossness of it all. He said it was not glamours in the least!
“The space and attendants valued inclusion and acceptance. It was not a place of discrimination.”……stated literally two minutes after talking about how Studio 54 turned people away at the door for not being glamorous, rich, or hot enough. 😂 Studio 54 died because it was hollow. It didn’t actually stand for anything other than the mega-rich and glamorous of Manhattan getting f**ked up and decadent. That’s all it stood for. They try to turn it into a myth about “freedom” and all that, but it stood for the things that Manhattan has always stood for: power, wealth, exclusivity, influence, and scamming the system.The word “freedom” has nothing to do with those qualities.
It was a bloody nightclub, not an academic institution or a club for potential future business entrepreneurs or global leaders. It was frequented by all sorts of captivating characters that were a combination of gorgeous, alluring, enticing, provocative and indeed rather interesting individuals. They entered into an environment crowded with beautiful people, in a glamorous setting with aesthetically pleasing decor & were caught up in movement-inducing music for a couple of hours. Then turbocharge this hedonistic communion by injecting endorphin releasing feel-good substances into their midst and there was a sense of euphoria for those a brief moment in time. This would not have happened if the majority were your average Joe and plain Jane in attendance. It had to be fueled by the sentiment of what society then was beginning to be swept up in, the excess & hedonism of the 1980s. It was exactly what it was supposed to be and all who were part of it had the time of their life totally unapologetic or burdened by guilt. Let's be real here, it was just a grand ol' time out at a fabulous nightclub for a brief time in the not so distant past.💃🎵🕺🎶🥂🚬💊🎼👏✌🤗😋
@@NikiBechusWTF It. was fabulous. At times when not "let in", for whatever reason, I just went to The Mudd Club. Never any benefit standing around Studio. You were immediately let in or not.
My mom used to get in that club back in the 70's after she divorced my dad and moved to Manhattan. She was a model so of course they let her in. She has a lot of pictures hanging out with all kinds of rock stars and celebrates but she will never tell me what really went on lol. Only that the place and the times were pretty wild. I imagine sex and cocaine and ludes galore but its my mom so I need to pretend she didn't partake and just went there to dance.
I was teenager during that time, and wanted to go to New York and Studio 54 so bad. My parents would just shake their heads and laugh. I don't think they knew all the nitty gritty of that place. But I did, lol.
Funny, to say that Studio 54 "wasn't a place of discrimination" when there was a whole thing just before that was mentioned where it's discussed how people were rejected based on looks, or not being the right "type". Yeah, they may have included people of all races and sexual orientation, but not all people in a race or a specific group was included... unless they looked right, or was "hip" or whatever. I mean... Geez! It's even mentioned how the club split apart couples because one-half didn't meet their criteria. The place was ALL about discrimination. LOL!
@@practicalgenius1798 Wrong, the only discrimination was against Ugly, fair enough, but all colours got in, and that is the key point. Not like the Californian University Racist Building that observes apartheid and segragation and keeps Whites out! Wonderful world. Martin Luther King must be smiling...
Years before the studio54, the LIME LIGHT already existed in Montreal and it’s a well know fact that they came to Montreal and were inspired by that club, way more than by any other New York club!
@@thenowchurch6419disco they played in the clubs was really really good! It was the disco they played on the radio that was getting boring and repetitive
@@newavatar2947 I was not old enough to go to the clubs then so I do not know. You may have a point there. One Disco track that played on the radio that I like to this day was "You can ring my bell". That was well produced.
@@newavatar2947 It's the saturation that killed disco imo. Just like this trap thing isn't as big now and the early 2010's EDM faded away. Labels always abuse any profit source.
I can only imagine the debauchery that went on in that den of iniquity. They probably got a lot of footage of celebrities/politicians doing the craziest shit and used it to keep them in check.
Studio 54 was the beginning of another world of snobbery for people who were rejected from normal society but wanted to be snobs more than anything else in the world. Did it not occur to anyone that them wanting to being snobby means that they suck too? They were more exclusive than antisemetic and/or homophobic beach clubs before them, and being gay didn't impress the bouncers if the guests weren't young and beautiful. "But Paolo: there are still many exclusive nightclubs that exist today!" That doesn't make it ok. The lesson is learned now, yet many people still haven't learned it; go figure. Perhaps that's why Studio 54 only lasted two years. In any case: Today: nobody needs a club almost nobody would be able to get into just because it's slightly nicer to individuals from a minority that happen to be beautiful. If clubs like that exist they aren't billing themselves as inclusive; they're selling themselves as being EXCLUSIVE, just like Studio 54 was, which is exactly why it was a two year wonder. Studio 54 didn't start or end everything; it WAS pop culture, and oh boy did it pop: It popped after two years. The brothers got strangled by their own velvet rope that had until then been reserved for bank lineups. But you know what they say: "Live by the rope, die by the rope." I'm sure they're proud to live and die by the velvet rope, just like "heterosexual" bank owners (as if bank owners are exclusively straight). It's true: back in the 70s, ALL banks had a velvet rope. Some people think that Studio 54 was the symbol of equality. I call Studio 54 equality EVERYONE; that is: everyone who was ULTRA RICH as well as relatively young and beautiful at the time (black or white, straight or gay) and INEQUALITY for everyone else. But classism was still ok I guess? You tell me.
@@tmamone83 I don't hate disco music; I just hate the culture. As for punk: I prefer Metal. Better still Mid 70's art/progressive rock. Better still Prog metal from the past 36 years. Better yet: the late romanic composers like Mahler. But I also like some punk; I saw DOA a few years ago!
@@Paolo8772 - I don't think it is fair to assign a "culture" to disco. Unless that culture was dancing. I was heavily into disco at the time with little knowledge of Studio 54. That was a New York thing and should be thought of in that context. I am also heavy into metal nowadays but I still find myself longing for the disco nights.
I always knew I wanted to experience more of the 1970s. Being born in spring 1975, I still can remember the bright, simple, natural, free spirit of the 1970s. Then I watched it all fade away as the 1980s began. The 1970s and early 1980s were the best time to be alive.
Hi, HollyHobs - Thanks for making this fabulous video! Studio 54 did not permanently close. It was reopened by Mark Fleishman in 1981 and continued as Studio 54 until 1986. I was hired as its first in-house Design Director in 1982, as suggested by the former owners, Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager, with the directive "to keep the club looking good." My office was under the dance floor. The majority of celebrities from the late '70s continued to come to the club in the early '80s while I worked there. Notably, Madonna delivered one of her first performances in May 1983, marking the first time she had ever performed in front of an audience of over 1500 people. This memorable moment happened as she emerged from an inflatable cake designed for Fiorucci's 15th birthday party. Additionally, for accuracy, Steve Rubell's last name is pronounced "rue bell," and Roy Cohn's last name is pronounced "cone."
The picture of John Lennon and Andy Warhol probably wasn't taken at studio 54. In his last interview Lennon specifically said he avoided going there. Had no interest in going.
Exactly.. John Lennon didnt go to clubs in the late 70`s. He stayed at home with Yoko and his newborn son Sean. I don`t think any of the Beatles ever went to studio 54. Paul did NOT go, neither did George. The only Beatle that might have gone is Ringo, but i have never seen any pictures of him there. The Rolling Stones used to love it there. Mick and Keith got special treatment, while the other Stones had to pay their own bills..
I heard that some Artist got inspired to write and release songs while partying in Studio 54 , Thanks to Studio 54 for giving us bangers and hit songs 💀
What's wrong with that? We all want to be the center of attention (real or perceived) now and then. Nothing wrong with going out for a night of decadence and feeling like a million bucks!
You can look at Warhol and tell he smelled bad...his oily red erupting skin only contributed to his ugly personality and the way he sucked life from people. Warhol today would be the epitome of "me too"
The phenomenon of the Studio 54 party attitude was pretty zeitgeist. If you were where it was at in whatever city you were in. Glamour is a night game, full of sex, mystery , drugs and fun, but make sure, like Cinderella, you disappear before dawn, darling.
I met Bianca Jagger just a few years at an Amnesty International event. She was up there in years but still very pretty and very petite, though. Nice lady! Fun fact: Ian Schrager is still alive! Many credit him for developing South Beach as a vibrant hostel area in Miami decades ago.
Good video... Steve Rubell also was part owner of Steak Loft in Mystic, Connecticut in the early 1970's before him and Ian bought Studio 54, my old Boss John Kadama (Who owns Steak Loft now)and his brother Jerry were friends with Steve and Ian so they would tell me stories about Studio 54 and how Jerry had hung out with Liza Minnelli at her Town house in upper Manhattan partying into all the wee early hours of the morning allot of cool stories I would hear. I liked and subscribed to your channel 👍🏻😊👍🏻
@@jen-gv7tx Yea, it was discrimination. “Discriminating” used to be considered a good thing. The guy at the door would allow or disallow people from entering the club based on what kind of atmosphere he wanted in the club on that particular night. That is discrimination.
@@michaelterry1000 regular were let in, you do not have to be a star. Perhaps the person at the door is a visionary. can read people. discernment, maybe that?
@@jen-gv7tx Yes some regular people were let in and some were not. Let me be clear here. I don’t have a problem with who studio 54 let in or who they did not let it. It was their club. My issue is with the word ‘discriminating’. It used to be a good thing to be discriminating but now it is almost exclusively used with a negative connotation. Either way, what studio 54 did with their door policy was ‘discriminatory’.
I always thought the accidental rolling about in horse shit (during the time when a horse was brought onto the dance floor) was the craziest story I ever heard about 54.
Lesson is if you have a successful business don’t be greedy and try to cheat the system. Sooner or later they are gonna come after you and they will find a needle in a haystack.
That's alright and thank you! There's always sooooo many names to get right and no easy way to find the pronunciation of them all. But a kind comment like yours always help better than someone just yelling at me haha. Again, thank you my friend.
@@JamesMaharajOfficial Im glad you got his name wrong. He was a nasty piece of work apparently and had connections with everyone from politicians to the mafia. Very sketchy stuff. I heard someone say being near him was like being in the presence of the devil.
a lot of hype, myth and spin is attached to the Studio 54 "story". I think we can safely say that celebrity culture started way before Studio 54- it all started in 1920s Hollywood. Studio 54 also "borrowed" many ideas from other Manhattan Clubs that predated it. There is no doubt Studio 54 captured the public imagination and has prevailed over the decades. It has become a convenient shorthand for the mythical excesses of the disco era.
I live here in Syracuse. I went to Syracuse University. There are lot of famous Alumni who have come out of this institution. I had no idea these two clowns attended SU. But then again I shouldn't be surprised. With that having been said Studio 54 is currently alive and well here in Syracuse. It's located on Genessee Street about a block from the Dinosaur BarBQue and a couple of blocks from Automobile Row. It is about three or four blocks from Armory Square.
They were young in their hey day having fun. Life was more simple then. Seems like a blast at the time for that age group. Haven't we all done some things in our youth we wouldn't do now?
Good video, thanks. When they sold it did it continue? When Did it officially close it's doors? I was there it's last week open, but can't recall what year that was in the 80's, '85? '86?
Wow, I can’t imagine telling a couple the girl can come in but not the boyfriend. And if the girl stayed that guy should have dumped her. And nowadays if they told some one your out because you not pretty 🤣🤣🤣
I was in 5th grade in North Jersey when Studio54 opened. Being an NYC area kid I remember the buzz not only from 54 but the copycats to follow. Paradise Garage, Silver Shadow & Bonds International. Then on the Jersey side you had Zanzibar, New Experience and Paradisio. As a kid coming of age I remember the excitement surrounding this scene which was organic and unique to the TriState area. But I also remember thinking even at that young age that what had at one time been confined to “The Village” not what was starting to become “mainstream” and wondered what direction it was heading towards. Of course the impact of that lifestyle would play itself out over the course of several years and leave a lasting impression on me that what had seemed like a fun and innocent form of party music would be perhaps the most controversial form of entertainment in history. Especially when you consider the lives lost living that lifestyle…
That comment would have got the attention of the Mafia (if they existed) as well, he's lucky the IRS went after them, they just lock you up. I think it's over when your girl goes in the club with out you, even Studio54. (unless she's driving, then it's almost over but for the silent drive home).
EXTRAORDINARY DOCUMENTARY! Very accurate. A unique moment in American history. I was there once. two crowded. I preferred to take the ladies home to my apartment. Same music, sex...but privacy. And then John Lennon was shot, and it all ended.
I got in when younger early 80's! We did not stay long but enjoyed the different experience! It was expensive to get into as well 20 bucks a piece the doorman got handed to let us in! So I went it was fun for the one time I went! SNL was big then times where fun when your young n dumb!
The Rubell guy was gay and was often known to break up couples by letting the guy in and sending the girl away...not the other way around all the time. And from what I heard the guy would go in and leave his date. Crazy times but people wanted in that bad. I grew up in NYC and my mom would frequent the club so I heard of some things first hand granted she won't tell me all.
Before studio 54 there was the Paradise garage, before that the gallery, before that the loft, before the loft it was an orphan party organized by a nun.
I was 6 in '77, but spent the '90's on South Beach, where the mayor himself said, South Beach is like "Studio 54 times a thousand!"! So I never got the '70's legendary parties, but got it on South Beach-60+ clubs on a 15-block radius-365 nights a year, PARTY!!! If don't know, see Will Smith, "Miami"? music video! I was there partying while they shot some scenes since a couple of blocks from where 3 of us rented a $750 a month apartment & lived like Rock Stars!🤘😎 As bad as things may seem or be, never forget, THEEESE ARE THE DAYS, MOFOS!!! Party accordingly! ✌🌎❤
What do you think anybody cares? Do you really think you are special cuz you were at a music video? It’s seriously laughable. Those of us who actually work in the business know music videos are the bottom of the barrel. And do you really think you are cool cuz you were close to Will Smith?
They reopened for one night and they had a Latin Night salsa dancing I went with a very nice club dance floor was very nice the seating was very nice and the stage was nice for the band which played Grupo Niche they were at hot salsa dance from Columbia I believe it was $30 it was only one night then they closed I believe it was around Thanksgiving in the 1990s don’t really remember except that I wish that It continued to remain open as a Latin club
That was pre-Off The Wall and Michael was still in the Jacksons, who didn't have a big it since 1976. In those lien years, I wouldn't be surprised if it was Diana who got Michael into Studio 54.
Studio 54 was kinda anti freedom to everyone else who could not get in. I would have much rather have gone to the Paradise Garage back in the day from what I've read. More friendly crowd, less posing and all about the music as the best clubs always are.
Studio 54 has had a couple of documentaries and a film. Mike Myers played an amazing part in the film. Kt must of been dancing and you could be dancing with a film star or musician & nothing was made a fuse over it.
>>> loved Studio 54. The irony was (& still is) that I love rock n roll so the only disco I liked was the music here. One memory stands out - some clever enterprising guy would pick up people in his limo at the corner & drop them off in front of Studio 54. And --the amyl nitrate.
As rich and as famous as the guests were, one thing is for sure. The place could have blown up at peak capacity and it wouldn't have made a damn bit of difference. If anything the world would have been better off without any of these guests.
