Dancing with John Travolta, with Michael Jackson on the DJ decks: Inside the glory days of hedonistic New York nightclub Studio 54
- Known as the best nightclub in America, Studio 54 was awash with celebrities in its 1970s heyday
- David Bowie, John Travolta and Michael Jackson were among the VIPs to skip enormous queues
- And now intriguing unseen pictures have emerged of the stars enjoying their nights on the tiles
Known as the best nightclub in America, Studio 54 was awash with celebrities in its 1970s heyday.
David Bowie, John Travolta and Michael Jackson were among the VIPs to skip the permanently enormous queues and embrace the hedonism within.
And now, 40 years since the club opened on New York's West 54th Street, intriguing unseen pictures have emerged of the stars enjoying their nights on the tiles.
Hottest party in town: Known as the best nightclub in America, Studio 45 was awash with celebrities in its 1970s heyday. Pictured: David Bowie was among the VIPs
Putting on the headphones: Michael Jackson turned DJ, Cher brought her dog and a young Donald Trump even graced the dancefloor
Michael Jackson turned DJ, Cher brought her dog and a young Donald Trump even graced the dancefloor.
Other guests included Madonna, Sir Elton John, Sir Rod Stewart, Farrah Fawcett, Brooke Shields, Liz Taylor, Andy Warhol and Woody Allen.
The pictures were taken by the late photographer Richard P. Manning whose family are now selling them at auction from $300 each.
He was friends with the creators of the Manahatten club, Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager, who converted it from an old TV studio.
It was known as the hottest party in town, riding the wave of 1970s dance music and newly found personal freedom.
A night on the tiles: Singer Debbie Harry swore at the camera in one scandalous photo. Right: Actor John Travolta graced the dancefloor with his presence
Rumours circulated that cocaine was pumped through the aircon and orgies took place every night.
'There was always a ton of people outside waiting to get in - people from all walks of life,' said Myra Scheer, an early fan who later became Rubell's assistant.
And bouncer Marc Benecke recalled: 'At one point you could buy maps which claimed to show how to get in through tunnels up from the subway system. It was crazy.'
But all good things come to an end and Studio 54 closed in 1979 when Revenue agents stopped the music and arrested Rubell for tax-evasion after finding bags of undeclared cash.
Manning's archive is going on sale on February 4 , via Palm Beach Modern Auctions.
Having a blast! Cher took her daughter Chastity, who became Chaz after gender reassignment and also her dog to the club
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Photo's like this in a club will never be taken ag...
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