Stars at Studio 54

Chris Wild

1970s

Crowds linger outside the entrance to Studio 54 in New York Credit: AP Photo/Richard Drew

Eartha Kitt, left, and her daughter, Kitt McDonald Credit: AP Photo/G. Paul Burnett

Actress Liza Minnelli teases an unidentified man about his shoes on the dance floor at Studio 54. Liza declined the opportunity to dance with the man because of his shoes Credit: AP PHOTO/ RICHARD DREW

From the moment it opened in 1977, nightclub Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, New York City, was a magnet for stars.

British pop singer Elton John makes a brief appearance at Studio 54. Credit: AP Photo/Suzanne Vlamis

Elton John pulls up the legs of his long pants to make it easier for him to join the dancing during a party in his honor. Credit: AP PHOTO/RICHARD DREW

Bianca Jagger and companion dance at New York's Studio 54 Thursday night. Credit: AP Photo

Fifty years earlier, the building had opened as The Gallo Opera House. CBS bought the building in the 1940s and used it as a TV and radio studio - it was the 52nd building bought by CBS and was called Studio 52.In 1977, new owners Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager took just six weeks to transform the studio into a nightclub, employing Broadway set designers to create moveable, theatrical sets and lighting.After only one month, the club was raided and shut down for selling alcohol without a license. Studio 54 had been relying on temporary caterers permits, used to sell alcohol at weddings.

Singer Bette Midler, left, greets members of the Temptations, at a party at Studio 54 given to announce the soul group's new recording contract with Atlantic Records. Credit: AP Photo/Richard Drew

Wanda Toscanini Horowitz, right, and her husband, famed pianist Vladimir Horowitz, on the dance floor to celebrate the pianist's birthday. Credit: AP Photo

Dr. Timothy Leary, the former psychedelic drug guru, puts his all into dancing at a post-premiere party for the movie “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” Credit: AP Photo/Drew

Regular patrons included Mick Jagger, Bianca Jagger, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Margaret Trudeau, (former wife of Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau), Liza Minnell, Elizabeth Taylor, Margeaux Hemingway, John Travolta, Brooke Shields, Debbie Harry, Grace Jones, Michael Jackson, Elton John, Tina Turner, Diana Ross , Cher, Andy Warhol, Salvador Dali,  Truman Capote, dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov, Jerry Hall, Calvin Klein and drag queen Divine. Not to mention many members of the criminal underworld.

Italian film director Franco Zeffirelli and actress Toni Tucci at Studio 54. Zeffirelli was in New York for the premier of his movie, "The Champ." Credit: AP Photo/Richard Drew

Pat Boone dances with daughter Debbie. Credit: AP Photo/Ron Frehm

Margaret Trudeau, estranged wife of Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, dances as Andy Warhol looks on Credit: AP Photo/Richard Drew

Credit: AP PHOTO/ RICHARD DREW

Actor Tony Curtis and his wife Leslie. Credit: AP Photo/Richard Drew

Actor-comedian Richard Pryor and his wife Deborah. Credit: AP Photo

Actor Robin Williams dances with his wife, Valerie Velardi. Williams was appearing in the ABC television comedy series "Mork and Mindy." Credit: AP Photo

Author Truman Capote dances with C.Z. Guest Credit: AP Photo

Author Truman Capote with friend. Credit: AP Photo

Singer Tom Jones with Rina Messinger of Israel, Miss Universe 1976. Credit: AP Photo/FQ

Margaret Trudeau arrives with Andy Warhol. Credit: AP Photo/G. Paul Burnett

Elton John, left, Alana Hamilton, wife of actor George Hamilton, and rock singer Rod Stewart (her future husband) arrive at Studio 54 for party given by RCA Records, which signed John to a contract with the label. Credit: AP Photo/G. Paul Burnett

The original incarnation of Studio 54 closed with a final party on Feb. 4, 1980, when Diana Ross personally serenaded Rubell and Schrager. Ryan O'Neal, Mariel Hemingway, Richard Gere, Jack Nicholson, and Sylvester Stallone were among the guests.
After the original Studio 54 was closed, Schrager and Rubell pleaded guilty to tax evasion and spent 13 months in prison. When it reopened under new ownership in September 1981, Schrager and Rubell were hired as consultants.