He handed them out to a few dozen people around him and they waited the 15-20 minutes for them to kick in. Throughout its three-year lifespan under Rubell and Schrager, Studio 54 served as a lab to experiment with everything from illicit drugs to gender. Given that it used to be an actual studio, the interior had ample lighting equipment to create pulsating light shows. Other people openly smoked illegal substances or snorted drugs such as cocaine. And all of a sudden the guy starts choking me., That was a minor inconvenience compared to the trials of security chief Chuck Garelick, who tells Haden-Guest that a man once tried to literally crash the VIP entrance in his Oldsmobile. It first opened its doors in 1927 as the Gallo Opera House. Even so, he was among the most famous singers in the country. Mick Jagger and his then significant other Jerry Hall entering the club. Those lucky enough to be in attendance are spotted in the background, watching with drinks in hand. documentary. A woman dances near the Studio 54 light towers in 1977. Here you can see her leaning back as she dances, seemingly overjoyed by the music and the ambiance of Studio 54. Left: A clubgoer dressed as Jesus carries a large cross onto the dance floor in 1977. Getting high low-down, Grace Jones wrote in her 2016 memoir. The couple had been enjoying dinner a short time earlier with socialite Nikki Haskell and her date at the iconic Upper East Side eatery Elaines. According to a New York Times article from the time, one night they were finally figured out and told they couldn't serve booze. In the very, very far left you can see me I didnt know that I was in the picture., Persson on this photo: "I think this is the same horse Bianca Jagger turned up on for her birthday in 1977. Another employee, "Lenny 54," was open about the fact he wasn't going to just serve drinks. While Studio 54 traded in nightly excess, the elaborate themed parties held on special occasions allowed Rubell, Schrager and their team to bring VIP guests most vivid fantasies to life. If youd gone to Studio 54 in the 1970s, however, this is exactly the type of scene you couldve enjoyed. We grabbed a couple of bottles of champagne from the corner liquor store and then went back to my place, plugged in our instruments and started jamming. Aching from the rejection, Rodgers and Edwards poured their anger into the music. After Lowen uploaded digital versions of the photographs to a secure vault, POBA staff helped crop and curate the material, highlighting the value of his artistic eye. Why Is Friday the 13th Considered Unlucky? It wasn't just animals that were taken advantage of. One man was less lucky. Here, see a selection of exclusive images of Spatzs work for the first time. One guy fell and had to be stretchered away. For most of his life, though, co-founder Ian Schrager has wanted to forget it. 60 Chilling Vintage Photos From Studio 54. Somebody yelled out, Hey! Photo by UoGsjohns22 CC BY SA 3.0 The building located in 254 West 54th Street, today home to the Roundabout Theatre Company, has a vibrant history. But, thanks to photographers who were in the right place at the right time, we can get glimpses of what a crazy night out at Studio 54 was truly like. At the time, she would have been in the midst of releasing her 1977 album, Cherished. When Williams visited Studio 54, he joined a fleet of other actors such as John Travolta, Richard Gere, Al Pacino and John Belushi, who all set foot in the iconic destination to see what it was about. While the club wanted to attract as many celebrities as possible, just being famous didn't necessarily guarantee you entrance. Studio 54 started as it meant to go on. Right: People wait in line outside of Studio 54 in 1978. The sex, drugs and disco on offer at Studio 54 served as the perfect release for a generation raised under the pressures of Watergate and the Vietnam War. Why dont we go? Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager opened the legendary club in 1977, and while it only lasted under their management for three years, it quickly cemented itself as the quintessential enclave for celebrities, fashionable disco-lovers, and their favorite illicit activities. For 33 short months the club was the height of cool in Manhattan, with club goers who managed to get past the velvet rope falling into a deluge of drugs and debauchery. The stunt was well-planned and executed by experienced acrobats, so thankfully no one was hurt. This meant plenty of people were rejected at the door, and plenty more stood in lines outside waiting to be appraised. But wait, is that a horse shes trying to pet? Instead, they would just apply for a temporary one every day they were open. At this point, the club had been closed down and reopened under new ownership. Please allow ads and let sponsors fund your surfing. For those of us who prefer photojournalism to actual opulent dance clubs, the morning-after exhaustion on patrons faces may be the most relatable theme of the series. Giancarlo Giammetti threw a circus-themed birthday party for his business partner, fashion designer Valentino. A woman in a bustier and garters finds her partner the "punk" behind her, at Studio 54's 1977 Halloween party. With nowhere else to go, the party spilled onto the street. At Studio 54, anyone with a good attitude (and good style) was welcome. Not that they actually waited to get inside for the fun to start. The criteria for entry werent clear-cut you simply had to have the look and style they wanted to see inside the establishment. The many singers who passed through the joint didnt leave without belting out a few notes of their own. There was even something above the rubber room, beyond secretive, up where the gods of the club could engage in their chosen vice high up above the relentless dancers. In the aftermath of the Vietnam war, Rubell said people were tired of being serious everyone went out and went wild. Life of a party (from left): Halston, Bianca Jagger, Jack Haley Jr and wife, Liza Minnelli and Andy Warhol. Their trademark hedonism was still intact, but the values (or complete lack thereof) had shifted 180 degrees from Woodstock. (Quaaludes, a prescription sedative with hypnotic effects, were huge in the '70s and classily known as "panty droppers.") The 100 Best Albums of 2022. What made Studio 54 different, however, was that drugs were practically encouraged inside. Less exclusive was the balcony area, upholstered in rubber because it was deemed easy to clean. In a jovial moment, revelers tipped the bucket over his head, showering him with money. If you came on a white horse, with almost no clothes on, you were guaranteed to get in. When she wasnt whipping her legs through the air to the music, she was brushing shoulders with the countrys most famous celebrities. We were entertaining the hell out of ourselves. Left: A performer on stilts manages to bust a move in 1981. He was a non-entity. Nightlife anywhere was sure to have drugs involved were talking about the 1970s, here. Despite spending only $400,000 on preparations for the nightclub, owner Rubell indicated Studio 54 made over $7 million in profits in the first year. The employee, stoned out of his mind, forgot to unlock her and went back to work. But the party was wild.. Bodily fluids and coke dust can be hard to remove under normal circumstances. Many of the celebs who were there are still alive, so other than vague rumors, we don't know the worst of what went down. If he liked you enough, he'd give you a little something. 29 Wild Photos From The Drug-Fueled Heyday Of Studio 54. They were like queens on the dancefloor.". We would have this situation where people would climb down from the building next door in full mountain-climbing gear with ropes tied around their shoulders, Studio 54 associate Baird Jones explained to Haden-Guest. We were just yelling obscenities: Fuck Studio 54 Fuck em Fuck off Fuck those scumbags fuck them! See Rare Photos Inside Studio 54 Nightclub, RS Recommends: Rad Powers E-Bike Offers a New (and Better) Way to Commute, How Vaccines and Masks Are Making Broadway Safe Again, See Nanci Griffith Cover the Rolling Stones No Expectations, Brian Walshe to Be Charged with Murder of His Missing Wife, Ron Jeremy Found Not Competent to Stand Trial in Serial Rape Case, The Genetic Mutation That Makes Kraken Covid So Contagious, The Boy Just Aint Smart': How Stephen A. Smith Overcame a Learning Disability to Become the Most Passionate Voice in Sports, Andrew Callaghan Apologizes: I've Always Taken No for an Answer as Far as Consent, Leslie Jones Asks White People in New York How They're Celebrating MLK Jr. Day, Pro-Trump Former Lawmaker Ordered to Pay $45,000 for Blocking Man on Facebook, Meryl Streep Checks Into Only Murders in the Building on Hulu, Matt Schlapp Sued for $9.4 Million After Allegedly Groping Man's Crotch. I called various places and it was impossible, he told Haden-Guest. These two people, covered in silver, dance for onlookers inside Studio 54. [He] wanted to have a birthday party that Monday for Bianca Jagger. Like many venues, the club closed Mondays for a dark night, but Rubell made an exception. 1 120 VOTES Bianca Jagger's Birthday Party - Bianca Celebrating With Liza Minelli (May 2, 1978) Photo: Sonia Moskowitz/Getty Images 101 19 2 146 VOTES Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager opened Studio 54 40 years ago, and it soon became the epicenter of New York Citys nightlife for nearly three years. We still don't know even half of what went on behind those hallowed walls, but some people have been willing to spill a few details in interviews or memoirs. Luckily for us, a handful of photographers captured the scene at Studio 54's height in the 1970s. Whether they were dressed in a festive way or they were interesting, high energy, danced well, or socialites, celebrities, models, you had to bring something to the table.. After all, it seemed like everyone was doing it! The Holiday Party At Studio 54 Got A Little Out Of Hand 29 Pictures That Show Just How Insane Studio 54 Really Was Messed Up Things That Happened At Studio 54 54 Studio Party New York Studio 54 15 Things We Learned About The Hedonists Mecca From New Doentary Independent Studio 54 Originally Gallo Opera House Nyc Lgbt Historic Sites Project Franco Rossellini and Steve Rubell (producer and owner, respectively) are pictured here in front of what appears to be a giant birthday cake. Studio 54 was a safe space for groups who would have been marginalised in the late 70s. One night a rejected hopeful came back and brandished a gun. She was real nervous about this whole deal and went up to the balcony and sat up there for a while. While these two women may not have been the craziest partiers, they certainly appreciated a good night out. We dived onto the ground. Having been used as a radio and television studio for CBS, the building was still full of TV sets and lighting equipment when Steve Rubell transformed it into a place for drinks, music and dancing. The following February, just before they were due to serve their time, Rubell and Schrager threw one last bash, billed as The End of Modern-Day Gomorrah. This final blowout was intimate compared to most nights, with just 2,000 of Studio 54s most faithful, including Richard Gere, Halston, Reggie Jackson, Andy Warhol, Lorna Luft and Sylvester Stallone. They were known to turn away some seriously well-known people. In this picture, Robin Williams is with his then-wife Valerie Velardi and Studio 54s own Santa Claus. Even so, it gave visitors a rush of adrenaline to watch them twirl in the air from below. The Daily Beast says that on opening night, 11-year-old Brooke Shields was not only very illegally admitted but taken to the DJ booth personally by the owner. Thats right the King of Pop did indeed attend a gathering or two at Studio 54. A nearly naked couple dances together on top of a speaker at the club's first Halloween party in 1977. In front is famous artist Andy Warhol. The IRS was not fooled. America in 1977 was ripe for something fun, glamorous and a bit risque. One second the light bulb went on and I sang Aaaaahh, freak out! Karl Lagerfeld held a candlelit 18th-century party with the staff in court dress and powdered wigs. It was the end of an era. We had chickens in a pen, he says in The Last Party. This crowd is made up of well-known, successful individuals: Fashion designer Halston and actress Bianca Jagger are on the left, followed by film director Jack Haley Jr. and actress Liza Minnelli in the back right. Full of rollerskating Wall Street Bankers, tabloid fixtures and postwar frivolity, a new documentary reveals the social backdrop of the famous club. No one remembered him being there the first night. Each morning, massive portions of the previous nights take would be stuffed in garbage bags and hidden above ceiling panels, or smuggled home to Rubells apartment and concealed in a hidden compartment. Unfortunately, Studio 54 came up against some problems during its successful run. He was never on the dance floor, Studio 54 busboy Richie Notar recalled in a 2017 BBC radio documentary. According to the Guardian, the owners helpfully supplied mattresses and everything. Studio 54 was a safe space for groups who would have been marginalised in the late 70s. Mattresses in the basement were frequently the site of trysts, while the infamous balcony was designed complete with easy-to-clean surfaces as a place for couples to get it on. Its like mixing a salad, he explained, or casting a play. Doorman Marc Benecke, then a 19-year-old student at Hunter College, served as Rubells deputy. Diana Ross and Liza Minelli performed for Rubell, and in this photo, Stevie Wonder took to the piano at his secretarys birthday party. We were with him literally until he took a car to go home and meet the authorities. The party was over. Schrager and Rubells time in prison coincided with the infamous Disco Sucks event in 1979, where disco records were burned at a baseball game while around 50,000 people watched. The man who made it famous, Steve Rubell, was only in charge from 1977 to 1980. Her hair is blonder and bigger than ever. This couple wears scant Halloween costumes resembling a mermaid and some kind of sea creature, and their choice of style was not out of the ordinary at Studio 54. When New York published this list of party favors in November 1979, Warhol was horrified to discover that his pail had only contained $800. If you found yourself fortunate enough to make it inside Studio 54 in 1978, you mightve come upon a scene like this one. Chips of brick flew down. Photographer Gene Spatz captured celebrities including John Lennon, Michael Jackson, Mick Jagger at the iconic New York City 1970s nightclub. See Rare Photos Inside Studio 54 Nightclub This type of thing wouldnt have been allowed in just any nightclub. A kind of unofficial VIP area in an already VIP club, it was where big celebrities went for their private trysts. Parton ended up being less than amused and sat quietly most of the night. Rubell had gone to jail for tax evasion, and the new owners kept the good times going until 1994, by which time attendance had dropped off. They put up signs apologizing, and everyone enjoyed juice instead. In this picture, well-known English actor Michael Caine is laughing and dancing with his wife Shakira, while partygoers frolic on behind them. Here she is pictured in front of her cake and alongside famous designer Halston. For major actresses like these, visiting Studio 54 was a must while in New York City. It was Halston. Judge Richard Owen shocked the court by imposing the maximum penalty: three-and-a-half years in prison and $20,000 fines. Here is a collection of photos from only a few of the many successful events thrown at the venue, providing a glimpse into the nocturnal thrill that was Studio 54. Via PAPER. Diana Ross serenaded the owners from the DJ booth, and Liza Minnelli sang New York, New York. Rubell, donning a Sinatra-like fedora, piped in with a spirited rendition of My Way, which played on repeat during the night, as did Gloria Gaynors Studio 54 anthem I Will Survive. From a mechanical platform high above the dance floor, Rubell addressed his guests with an emotional speech. She is seen here in colorful 70s makeup, big hair and a risque lace top. Showing Editorial results for studio 54. Many of the staff of Studio 54 including Rubell died as a result of it. By Dan Tracer February 23, 2015 at 7:02am. Sometimes the venue hired dancers or had fashion models walking the crowds. BuzzFeed News Photo Essay Editor. Writer and socialite Anthony Haden-Guest describes the scenes as like the damned looking into paradise. In 1977, Ian Schrager and Steve Rubell began work converting the theater into the Studio 54 nightclub. Inside Studio 54, you could smoke just about whatever you wanted and sit however you liked. And they were not quiet about it. He was there to be seen with the famous people, to network, to cut the deal; whilst everyone else cut the coke., Opening night at Studio 54 was an unqualified success, but the days that followed were comparatively slower. Studio 54 was the place to be in its heyday. Known for its raucous parties and A-list guests, the first three years of Studio 54's existence were the most exclusive and enticing and that was by design. This kind of debauchery came to be expected of the venue and marked its no-holds-barred approach to nightlife. One journalist who was there frequently said, "Even if you weren't having sex with someone every night, you felt like you could.". When a large hanging spoon. Studio 54 had arrived. Andy Warhol's Polaroid of Mick Jagger Touching Tongues With a Woman Could Be Yours. The spectacle is complete with their revealing outfits, but by Studio 54 standards, their dress is modest. Fortunately, there were places they could go to do the most extreme stuff. People openly took poppers on the dance floor, and less openly shot up heroin in dark corners. A woman holds a makeshift pipe for a man as he attempts to smoke an unidentified substance in 1981. The doormen regularly had to be escorted home at the end of the night for their safety. To this day the nightclub remains a thing of legend, even if it has been transformed into a theater. Studio 54 photographer Hasse Persson said of this photo: "This may sound unusual today, but if you wanted to make love with somebody, people were making love on the balconies, and they were making love in the bathrooms. Here he is pictured alongside Liza Minnelli and Bianca Jagger at the New Years Eve party of 1977. But soon the crowd started to build to ridiculous proportions. He was supplied with drugs and given a regular paycheck. All Rights reserved. There was no need for word of mouth to grow this into a hot club; people were desperate to get in from the first night it opened. Sometimes thousands of dollars changed hands. One clubgoer waited outside with a group of friends, including a doctor packing a jumbo bottle of Quaaludes. Benecke says he "sometimes" took them up on it. Still others would try to be sneaky. The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time We were really totally dejected. Diana Ross and Liza Minnelli both performed. First, we changed it from fuck off to freak off, and that was pretty hideous. As an environmentalist and an animal rights defender I find the insinuation that I would ride a horse into a nightclub offensive., The key of the success of Studio 54 is that its a dictatorship at the door and a democracy on the dance floor, club regular Andy Warhol once observed, and Steve Rubell ruled the velvet ropes with an iron fist. PHOTOS: Newly Released Studio 54 Collection Offers Rare Glimpse Into A Party Legend. Not only did she love a good time, but she also knew how to master the dance floor. It seemed as though thrill-seekers young and old wanted nothing more than to get a taste of Studio 54s soaring reputation. Known for its raucous parties and A-list guests, the first three years of Studio 54's existence were the most exclusive and enticing and that was by design. The packed dance floor was the place to see and be seen, but not everything people got up to at Studio 54 was necessarily intended for an audience. He and his wife Sasha Stallone are pictured here in Studio 54 in 1978. See Rare Photos Inside Studio 54 Nightclub Photographer Gene Spatz captured celebrities - including John Lennon, Michael Jackson, Mick Jagger - at the iconic New York City 1970s nightclub By. I said, Cmon! And we were laughing, Rodgers described to Haden-Guest. This is after the feminist movement of the 70s: if a woman wanted to be nude that was her privilege, no one would ever touch her or say anything. 10 Crazy Things That Happened At Studio 54 Mental Floss. Studio 54 co-owner Steve Rubell stands in his office, which he claimed was ransacked by federal agents looking for drugs, in 1978. A look back at the epicenter of NYC nightlife, presented by Getty Images. We were like the first. My Studio 54 dreams became true. Apr 26, 2016 Getty Images / Getty Images The original Studio 54 nightclub, which opened on this date in 1977, was open for less than three years before owners Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager were. Here, a woman twirls her hat and two men chat over drinks. He had accepted it. Not something you see every day, but you could see it at Studio 54. The women were not. 29 Pictures That Show Just How Insane Studio 54 Really Was. My house now is filled with his art, and I hope others will appreciate it too.. The picture that forms is that you had to see it to believe it. Right: A woman gets low on the dance floor in 1977. Studio 54: 10 Wild Stories From Clubs Debauched Heyday, How True Is Respect? Once you see the pictures of the famous faces and outrageous antics that took place inside, it wont be too surprising that Studio 54 was able to reach such high success. It was "madness.". Cher wasnt the wildest partier on the scene, but she was known for being an independent and forward-thinking individual who didnt shy away from a good time. There is mixed reporting on whether notorious lady-killer Warren Beatty was told to leave or if he gave up on his own. But nothing . By this time, the club had cemented its reputation as a popular place for celebrities, and Stallone was one more added to the list. People came back time and again during the life of Studio 54 for this openness and acceptance. A man dangles a cigarette inside Studio 54, 1977. He was sort of spaced-out, he told Haden-Guest. If you wanted to dress in next to nothing and wear lots of makeup, you were encouraged. They served copious amounts of alcohol, played the loudest music and sometimes had mini food fights on the dancefloor. Dolly came and was completely freaked out at the number of people there. In the clubs first year open, Cher showed up to the scene at Studio 54. Their uniform was a tiny pair of shorts and nothing else. documentary. The next thing we knew, these guys were out of a car across the street. Sylvester Stallone and Sheryl Slocum, 1977. Some tried to grease palms with thousands of dollars. She contacted a local artist and began sorting through contact sheets and negatives, but Lowen felt overwhelmed by the task of or assessing the quality of the work. Left: Outside Studio 54, someone arrives to the club on a horse for the third annual Halloween party in 1978. When Steve got off the phone we flipped into action to make it happen. Oh, I knew I should have counted it, wrote Warhols colleague Bob Colacello in his memoir. The photos left over tell a story of a place where absolutely nothing was off limits. According to friends, Warhol said it was the best present he had ever received. A woman wears nothing but pearls and a mask as she grinds on two men in jewels and makeup. Actress Jaid Barrymore, mother of Drew, bore witness to the ceaseless parade of lurid attire. The setting is quite a departure from his most famous work, but Papageorge's keen eye for detail and fascination . One of the most memorable soirees was held in honor of Dolly Parton. Suddenly the IRS were interested in going clubbing. Footage shows co-founder Steve Rubell cherrypicking on the door, reprimanding one hopeful with the immortal line: Dont ever come here with a hat. Doorman Mark Benecke was charged with deciding on the chosen ones. The setting is quite a departure from his most famous work, but Papageorges keen eye for detail and fascination with his subjects is consistently engaginghe just makes everyone look gorgeous. Actor and author Chris Lawford shares a dance with Mick Jagger's wife, Bianca. Clubgoers dance amid light towers on the dance floor at Studio 54 on May 15, 1978. Right: During a Purple magazine party in 1978, a topless woman rides onto the dance floor on a white horse. Doormen didnt let just anyone inside, but if you were lucky, you could get into the club without having connections in high places. After they were found guilty and sentenced to three and a half years each, they threw one last huge party the night before they went to prison. Read 10 of the wildest stories from Studio 54, including the time Bianca Jagger rode a white horse across the dance floor. It was completely normal to see people walking around naked. Rubell liked to tell a story about a countess who took a fancy to one unnamed bartender and had him handcuff her to a pipe in the basement before having sex with her. Another thing it often had, as a result, was strange performances. Nonetheless, Trump became something of a regular at the venue. Diana Ross and Liza Minnelli sang, while Rubell blasted out My Way. Studio 54 is immensely interesting just in terms of a sociological perspective. The brainchild of Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager, the club opened in a onetime CBS soundstage on April 26th, 1977, and immediately became the epicenter of nightlife in New York City and the world. We were invited to meet with Grace Jones at Studio 54, Rodgers told Sound on Sound in 2005. In this picture, women pose on top of giant reflective pillows in the middle of the crowd. They were out of their minds on drugs and indulging in their dirtiest fantasies. For more New York drama, be sure to check out what the city looked like in the 1970s. It was down here that the privileged few were invited to indulge in their wildest desires. A pile of people forms on the dance floor of the 1978 "Purple Party.". This would not be the only time the nightclub had a horse on its premises, nor would it be the only animal ever invited inside. Under Rubells ownership, however, the strange, the weird and the scary were given a place to flourish beneath the lights of the nightclub. Capote is the author of books like Other Voices, Other Rooms, Breakfast at Tiffanys and In Cold Blood. Each vehicle had to be taken onto the street, where its tank was emptied, and then pushed back inside by hand. Lifelong memories were made within its walls every night. Studio 54, New York. For the last fifty years, Allan Tannenbaum has been the quintessential New York photographer. Enjoy these Studio 54 photos? The door code played upon the fundamental human quirk of desperately wanting what one cant have. At Studio 54, the taboo wasnt seen as undesirable instead, it was invited inside. If it has been the craziest partiers, they certainly appreciated a good time, was... In colorful 70s makeup, big hair and a bit risque makeshift for. Of adrenaline to watch them twirl in the country shares a dance with Mick Jagger Touching with! 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He handed them out to a few dozen people around him and they waited the 15-20 minutes for them to kick in. Throughout its three-year lifespan under Rubell and Schrager, Studio 54 served as a lab to experiment with everything from illicit drugs to gender. Given that it used to be an actual studio, the interior had ample lighting equipment to create pulsating light shows. Other people openly smoked illegal substances or snorted drugs such as cocaine. And all of a sudden the guy starts choking me., That was a minor inconvenience compared to the trials of security chief Chuck Garelick, who tells Haden-Guest that a man once tried to literally crash the VIP entrance in his Oldsmobile. It first opened its doors in 1927 as the Gallo Opera House. Even so, he was among the most famous singers in the country. Mick Jagger and his then significant other Jerry Hall entering the club. Those lucky enough to be in attendance are spotted in the background, watching with drinks in hand. documentary. A woman dances near the Studio 54 light towers in 1977. Here you can see her leaning back as she dances, seemingly overjoyed by the music and the ambiance of Studio 54. Left: A clubgoer dressed as Jesus carries a large cross onto the dance floor in 1977. Getting high low-down, Grace Jones wrote in her 2016 memoir. The couple had been enjoying dinner a short time earlier with socialite Nikki Haskell and her date at the iconic Upper East Side eatery Elaines. According to a New York Times article from the time, one night they were finally figured out and told they couldn't serve booze. In the very, very far left you can see me I didnt know that I was in the picture., Persson on this photo: "I think this is the same horse Bianca Jagger turned up on for her birthday in 1977. Another employee, "Lenny 54," was open about the fact he wasn't going to just serve drinks. While Studio 54 traded in nightly excess, the elaborate themed parties held on special occasions allowed Rubell, Schrager and their team to bring VIP guests most vivid fantasies to life. If youd gone to Studio 54 in the 1970s, however, this is exactly the type of scene you couldve enjoyed. We grabbed a couple of bottles of champagne from the corner liquor store and then went back to my place, plugged in our instruments and started jamming. Aching from the rejection, Rodgers and Edwards poured their anger into the music. After Lowen uploaded digital versions of the photographs to a secure vault, POBA staff helped crop and curate the material, highlighting the value of his artistic eye. Why Is Friday the 13th Considered Unlucky? It wasn't just animals that were taken advantage of. One man was less lucky. Here, see a selection of exclusive images of Spatzs work for the first time. One guy fell and had to be stretchered away. For most of his life, though, co-founder Ian Schrager has wanted to forget it. 60 Chilling Vintage Photos From Studio 54. Somebody yelled out, Hey! Photo by UoGsjohns22 CC BY SA 3.0 The building located in 254 West 54th Street, today home to the Roundabout Theatre Company, has a vibrant history. But, thanks to photographers who were in the right place at the right time, we can get glimpses of what a crazy night out at Studio 54 was truly like. At the time, she would have been in the midst of releasing her 1977 album, Cherished. When Williams visited Studio 54, he joined a fleet of other actors such as John Travolta, Richard Gere, Al Pacino and John Belushi, who all set foot in the iconic destination to see what it was about. While the club wanted to attract as many celebrities as possible, just being famous didn't necessarily guarantee you entrance. Studio 54 started as it meant to go on. Right: People wait in line outside of Studio 54 in 1978. The sex, drugs and disco on offer at Studio 54 served as the perfect release for a generation raised under the pressures of Watergate and the Vietnam War. Why dont we go? Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager opened the legendary club in 1977, and while it only lasted under their management for three years, it quickly cemented itself as the quintessential enclave for celebrities, fashionable disco-lovers, and their favorite illicit activities. For 33 short months the club was the height of cool in Manhattan, with club goers who managed to get past the velvet rope falling into a deluge of drugs and debauchery. The stunt was well-planned and executed by experienced acrobats, so thankfully no one was hurt. This meant plenty of people were rejected at the door, and plenty more stood in lines outside waiting to be appraised. But wait, is that a horse shes trying to pet? Instead, they would just apply for a temporary one every day they were open. At this point, the club had been closed down and reopened under new ownership. Please allow ads and let sponsors fund your surfing. For those of us who prefer photojournalism to actual opulent dance clubs, the morning-after exhaustion on patrons faces may be the most relatable theme of the series. Giancarlo Giammetti threw a circus-themed birthday party for his business partner, fashion designer Valentino. A woman in a bustier and garters finds her partner the "punk" behind her, at Studio 54's 1977 Halloween party. With nowhere else to go, the party spilled onto the street. At Studio 54, anyone with a good attitude (and good style) was welcome. Not that they actually waited to get inside for the fun to start. The criteria for entry werent clear-cut you simply had to have the look and style they wanted to see inside the establishment. The many singers who passed through the joint didnt leave without belting out a few notes of their own. There was even something above the rubber room, beyond secretive, up where the gods of the club could engage in their chosen vice high up above the relentless dancers. In the aftermath of the Vietnam war, Rubell said people were tired of being serious everyone went out and went wild. Life of a party (from left): Halston, Bianca Jagger, Jack Haley Jr and wife, Liza Minnelli and Andy Warhol. Their trademark hedonism was still intact, but the values (or complete lack thereof) had shifted 180 degrees from Woodstock. (Quaaludes, a prescription sedative with hypnotic effects, were huge in the '70s and classily known as "panty droppers.") The 100 Best Albums of 2022. What made Studio 54 different, however, was that drugs were practically encouraged inside. Less exclusive was the balcony area, upholstered in rubber because it was deemed easy to clean. In a jovial moment, revelers tipped the bucket over his head, showering him with money. If you came on a white horse, with almost no clothes on, you were guaranteed to get in. When she wasnt whipping her legs through the air to the music, she was brushing shoulders with the countrys most famous celebrities. We were entertaining the hell out of ourselves. Left: A performer on stilts manages to bust a move in 1981. He was a non-entity. Nightlife anywhere was sure to have drugs involved were talking about the 1970s, here. Despite spending only $400,000 on preparations for the nightclub, owner Rubell indicated Studio 54 made over $7 million in profits in the first year. The employee, stoned out of his mind, forgot to unlock her and went back to work. But the party was wild.. Bodily fluids and coke dust can be hard to remove under normal circumstances. Many of the celebs who were there are still alive, so other than vague rumors, we don't know the worst of what went down. If he liked you enough, he'd give you a little something. 29 Wild Photos From The Drug-Fueled Heyday Of Studio 54. They were like queens on the dancefloor.". We would have this situation where people would climb down from the building next door in full mountain-climbing gear with ropes tied around their shoulders, Studio 54 associate Baird Jones explained to Haden-Guest. We were just yelling obscenities: Fuck Studio 54 Fuck em Fuck off Fuck those scumbags fuck them! See Rare Photos Inside Studio 54 Nightclub, RS Recommends: Rad Powers E-Bike Offers a New (and Better) Way to Commute, How Vaccines and Masks Are Making Broadway Safe Again, See Nanci Griffith Cover the Rolling Stones No Expectations, Brian Walshe to Be Charged with Murder of His Missing Wife, Ron Jeremy Found Not Competent to Stand Trial in Serial Rape Case, The Genetic Mutation That Makes Kraken Covid So Contagious, The Boy Just Aint Smart': How Stephen A. Smith Overcame a Learning Disability to Become the Most Passionate Voice in Sports, Andrew Callaghan Apologizes: I've Always Taken No for an Answer as Far as Consent, Leslie Jones Asks White People in New York How They're Celebrating MLK Jr. Day, Pro-Trump Former Lawmaker Ordered to Pay $45,000 for Blocking Man on Facebook, Meryl Streep Checks Into Only Murders in the Building on Hulu, Matt Schlapp Sued for $9.4 Million After Allegedly Groping Man's Crotch. I called various places and it was impossible, he told Haden-Guest. These two people, covered in silver, dance for onlookers inside Studio 54. [He] wanted to have a birthday party that Monday for Bianca Jagger. Like many venues, the club closed Mondays for a dark night, but Rubell made an exception. 1 120 VOTES Bianca Jagger's Birthday Party - Bianca Celebrating With Liza Minelli (May 2, 1978) Photo: Sonia Moskowitz/Getty Images 101 19 2 146 VOTES Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager opened Studio 54 40 years ago, and it soon became the epicenter of New York Citys nightlife for nearly three years. We still don't know even half of what went on behind those hallowed walls, but some people have been willing to spill a few details in interviews or memoirs. Luckily for us, a handful of photographers captured the scene at Studio 54's height in the 1970s. Whether they were dressed in a festive way or they were interesting, high energy, danced well, or socialites, celebrities, models, you had to bring something to the table.. After all, it seemed like everyone was doing it! The Holiday Party At Studio 54 Got A Little Out Of Hand 29 Pictures That Show Just How Insane Studio 54 Really Was Messed Up Things That Happened At Studio 54 54 Studio Party New York Studio 54 15 Things We Learned About The Hedonists Mecca From New Doentary Independent Studio 54 Originally Gallo Opera House Nyc Lgbt Historic Sites Project Franco Rossellini and Steve Rubell (producer and owner, respectively) are pictured here in front of what appears to be a giant birthday cake. Studio 54 was a safe space for groups who would have been marginalised in the late 70s. One night a rejected hopeful came back and brandished a gun. She was real nervous about this whole deal and went up to the balcony and sat up there for a while. While these two women may not have been the craziest partiers, they certainly appreciated a good night out. We dived onto the ground. Having been used as a radio and television studio for CBS, the building was still full of TV sets and lighting equipment when Steve Rubell transformed it into a place for drinks, music and dancing. The following February, just before they were due to serve their time, Rubell and Schrager threw one last bash, billed as The End of Modern-Day Gomorrah. This final blowout was intimate compared to most nights, with just 2,000 of Studio 54s most faithful, including Richard Gere, Halston, Reggie Jackson, Andy Warhol, Lorna Luft and Sylvester Stallone. They were known to turn away some seriously well-known people. In this picture, Robin Williams is with his then-wife Valerie Velardi and Studio 54s own Santa Claus. Even so, it gave visitors a rush of adrenaline to watch them twirl in the air from below. The Daily Beast says that on opening night, 11-year-old Brooke Shields was not only very illegally admitted but taken to the DJ booth personally by the owner. Thats right the King of Pop did indeed attend a gathering or two at Studio 54. A nearly naked couple dances together on top of a speaker at the club's first Halloween party in 1977. In front is famous artist Andy Warhol. The IRS was not fooled. America in 1977 was ripe for something fun, glamorous and a bit risque. One second the light bulb went on and I sang Aaaaahh, freak out! Karl Lagerfeld held a candlelit 18th-century party with the staff in court dress and powdered wigs. It was the end of an era. We had chickens in a pen, he says in The Last Party. This crowd is made up of well-known, successful individuals: Fashion designer Halston and actress Bianca Jagger are on the left, followed by film director Jack Haley Jr. and actress Liza Minnelli in the back right. Full of rollerskating Wall Street Bankers, tabloid fixtures and postwar frivolity, a new documentary reveals the social backdrop of the famous club. No one remembered him being there the first night. Each morning, massive portions of the previous nights take would be stuffed in garbage bags and hidden above ceiling panels, or smuggled home to Rubells apartment and concealed in a hidden compartment. Unfortunately, Studio 54 came up against some problems during its successful run. He was never on the dance floor, Studio 54 busboy Richie Notar recalled in a 2017 BBC radio documentary. According to the Guardian, the owners helpfully supplied mattresses and everything. Studio 54 was a safe space for groups who would have been marginalised in the late 70s. Mattresses in the basement were frequently the site of trysts, while the infamous balcony was designed complete with easy-to-clean surfaces as a place for couples to get it on. Its like mixing a salad, he explained, or casting a play. Doorman Marc Benecke, then a 19-year-old student at Hunter College, served as Rubells deputy. Diana Ross and Liza Minelli performed for Rubell, and in this photo, Stevie Wonder took to the piano at his secretarys birthday party. We were with him literally until he took a car to go home and meet the authorities. The party was over. Schrager and Rubells time in prison coincided with the infamous Disco Sucks event in 1979, where disco records were burned at a baseball game while around 50,000 people watched. The man who made it famous, Steve Rubell, was only in charge from 1977 to 1980. Her hair is blonder and bigger than ever. This couple wears scant Halloween costumes resembling a mermaid and some kind of sea creature, and their choice of style was not out of the ordinary at Studio 54. When New York published this list of party favors in November 1979, Warhol was horrified to discover that his pail had only contained $800. If you found yourself fortunate enough to make it inside Studio 54 in 1978, you mightve come upon a scene like this one. Chips of brick flew down. Photographer Gene Spatz captured celebrities including John Lennon, Michael Jackson, Mick Jagger at the iconic New York City 1970s nightclub. See Rare Photos Inside Studio 54 Nightclub This type of thing wouldnt have been allowed in just any nightclub. A kind of unofficial VIP area in an already VIP club, it was where big celebrities went for their private trysts. Parton ended up being less than amused and sat quietly most of the night. Rubell had gone to jail for tax evasion, and the new owners kept the good times going until 1994, by which time attendance had dropped off. They put up signs apologizing, and everyone enjoyed juice instead. In this picture, well-known English actor Michael Caine is laughing and dancing with his wife Shakira, while partygoers frolic on behind them. Here she is pictured in front of her cake and alongside famous designer Halston. For major actresses like these, visiting Studio 54 was a must while in New York City. It was Halston. Judge Richard Owen shocked the court by imposing the maximum penalty: three-and-a-half years in prison and $20,000 fines. Here is a collection of photos from only a few of the many successful events thrown at the venue, providing a glimpse into the nocturnal thrill that was Studio 54. Via PAPER. Diana Ross serenaded the owners from the DJ booth, and Liza Minnelli sang New York, New York. Rubell, donning a Sinatra-like fedora, piped in with a spirited rendition of My Way, which played on repeat during the night, as did Gloria Gaynors Studio 54 anthem I Will Survive. From a mechanical platform high above the dance floor, Rubell addressed his guests with an emotional speech. She is seen here in colorful 70s makeup, big hair and a risque lace top. Showing Editorial results for studio 54. Many of the staff of Studio 54 including Rubell died as a result of it. By Dan Tracer February 23, 2015 at 7:02am. Sometimes the venue hired dancers or had fashion models walking the crowds. BuzzFeed News Photo Essay Editor. Writer and socialite Anthony Haden-Guest describes the scenes as like the damned looking into paradise. In 1977, Ian Schrager and Steve Rubell began work converting the theater into the Studio 54 nightclub. Inside Studio 54, you could smoke just about whatever you wanted and sit however you liked. And they were not quiet about it. He was there to be seen with the famous people, to network, to cut the deal; whilst everyone else cut the coke., Opening night at Studio 54 was an unqualified success, but the days that followed were comparatively slower. Studio 54 was the place to be in its heyday. Known for its raucous parties and A-list guests, the first three years of Studio 54's existence were the most exclusive and enticing and that was by design. This kind of debauchery came to be expected of the venue and marked its no-holds-barred approach to nightlife. One journalist who was there frequently said, "Even if you weren't having sex with someone every night, you felt like you could.". When a large hanging spoon. Studio 54 had arrived. Andy Warhol's Polaroid of Mick Jagger Touching Tongues With a Woman Could Be Yours. The spectacle is complete with their revealing outfits, but by Studio 54 standards, their dress is modest. Fortunately, there were places they could go to do the most extreme stuff. People openly took poppers on the dance floor, and less openly shot up heroin in dark corners. A woman holds a makeshift pipe for a man as he attempts to smoke an unidentified substance in 1981. The doormen regularly had to be escorted home at the end of the night for their safety. To this day the nightclub remains a thing of legend, even if it has been transformed into a theater. Studio 54 photographer Hasse Persson said of this photo: "This may sound unusual today, but if you wanted to make love with somebody, people were making love on the balconies, and they were making love in the bathrooms. Here he is pictured alongside Liza Minnelli and Bianca Jagger at the New Years Eve party of 1977. But soon the crowd started to build to ridiculous proportions. He was supplied with drugs and given a regular paycheck. All Rights reserved. There was no need for word of mouth to grow this into a hot club; people were desperate to get in from the first night it opened. Sometimes thousands of dollars changed hands. One clubgoer waited outside with a group of friends, including a doctor packing a jumbo bottle of Quaaludes. Benecke says he "sometimes" took them up on it. Still others would try to be sneaky. The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time We were really totally dejected. Diana Ross and Liza Minnelli both performed. First, we changed it from fuck off to freak off, and that was pretty hideous. As an environmentalist and an animal rights defender I find the insinuation that I would ride a horse into a nightclub offensive., The key of the success of Studio 54 is that its a dictatorship at the door and a democracy on the dance floor, club regular Andy Warhol once observed, and Steve Rubell ruled the velvet ropes with an iron fist. PHOTOS: Newly Released Studio 54 Collection Offers Rare Glimpse Into A Party Legend. Not only did she love a good time, but she also knew how to master the dance floor. It seemed as though thrill-seekers young and old wanted nothing more than to get a taste of Studio 54s soaring reputation. Known for its raucous parties and A-list guests, the first three years of Studio 54's existence were the most exclusive and enticing and that was by design. The packed dance floor was the place to see and be seen, but not everything people got up to at Studio 54 was necessarily intended for an audience. He and his wife Sasha Stallone are pictured here in Studio 54 in 1978. See Rare Photos Inside Studio 54 Nightclub Photographer Gene Spatz captured celebrities - including John Lennon, Michael Jackson, Mick Jagger - at the iconic New York City 1970s nightclub By. I said, Cmon! And we were laughing, Rodgers described to Haden-Guest. This is after the feminist movement of the 70s: if a woman wanted to be nude that was her privilege, no one would ever touch her or say anything. 10 Crazy Things That Happened At Studio 54 Mental Floss. Studio 54 co-owner Steve Rubell stands in his office, which he claimed was ransacked by federal agents looking for drugs, in 1978. A look back at the epicenter of NYC nightlife, presented by Getty Images. We were like the first. My Studio 54 dreams became true. Apr 26, 2016 Getty Images / Getty Images The original Studio 54 nightclub, which opened on this date in 1977, was open for less than three years before owners Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager were. Here, a woman twirls her hat and two men chat over drinks. He had accepted it. Not something you see every day, but you could see it at Studio 54. The women were not. 29 Pictures That Show Just How Insane Studio 54 Really Was. My house now is filled with his art, and I hope others will appreciate it too.. The picture that forms is that you had to see it to believe it. Right: A woman gets low on the dance floor in 1977. Studio 54: 10 Wild Stories From Clubs Debauched Heyday, How True Is Respect? Once you see the pictures of the famous faces and outrageous antics that took place inside, it wont be too surprising that Studio 54 was able to reach such high success. It was "madness.". Cher wasnt the wildest partier on the scene, but she was known for being an independent and forward-thinking individual who didnt shy away from a good time. There is mixed reporting on whether notorious lady-killer Warren Beatty was told to leave or if he gave up on his own. But nothing . By this time, the club had cemented its reputation as a popular place for celebrities, and Stallone was one more added to the list. People came back time and again during the life of Studio 54 for this openness and acceptance. A man dangles a cigarette inside Studio 54, 1977. He was sort of spaced-out, he told Haden-Guest. If you wanted to dress in next to nothing and wear lots of makeup, you were encouraged. They served copious amounts of alcohol, played the loudest music and sometimes had mini food fights on the dancefloor. Dolly came and was completely freaked out at the number of people there. In the clubs first year open, Cher showed up to the scene at Studio 54. Their uniform was a tiny pair of shorts and nothing else. documentary. The next thing we knew, these guys were out of a car across the street. Sylvester Stallone and Sheryl Slocum, 1977. Some tried to grease palms with thousands of dollars. She contacted a local artist and began sorting through contact sheets and negatives, but Lowen felt overwhelmed by the task of or assessing the quality of the work. Left: Outside Studio 54, someone arrives to the club on a horse for the third annual Halloween party in 1978. When Steve got off the phone we flipped into action to make it happen. Oh, I knew I should have counted it, wrote Warhols colleague Bob Colacello in his memoir. The photos left over tell a story of a place where absolutely nothing was off limits. According to friends, Warhol said it was the best present he had ever received. A woman wears nothing but pearls and a mask as she grinds on two men in jewels and makeup. Actress Jaid Barrymore, mother of Drew, bore witness to the ceaseless parade of lurid attire. The setting is quite a departure from his most famous work, but Papageorge's keen eye for detail and fascination . One of the most memorable soirees was held in honor of Dolly Parton. Suddenly the IRS were interested in going clubbing. Footage shows co-founder Steve Rubell cherrypicking on the door, reprimanding one hopeful with the immortal line: Dont ever come here with a hat. Doorman Mark Benecke was charged with deciding on the chosen ones. The setting is quite a departure from his most famous work, but Papageorges keen eye for detail and fascination with his subjects is consistently engaginghe just makes everyone look gorgeous. Actor and author Chris Lawford shares a dance with Mick Jagger's wife, Bianca. Clubgoers dance amid light towers on the dance floor at Studio 54 on May 15, 1978. Right: During a Purple magazine party in 1978, a topless woman rides onto the dance floor on a white horse. Doormen didnt let just anyone inside, but if you were lucky, you could get into the club without having connections in high places. After they were found guilty and sentenced to three and a half years each, they threw one last huge party the night before they went to prison. Read 10 of the wildest stories from Studio 54, including the time Bianca Jagger rode a white horse across the dance floor. It was completely normal to see people walking around naked. Rubell liked to tell a story about a countess who took a fancy to one unnamed bartender and had him handcuff her to a pipe in the basement before having sex with her. Another thing it often had, as a result, was strange performances. Nonetheless, Trump became something of a regular at the venue. Diana Ross and Liza Minnelli sang, while Rubell blasted out My Way. Studio 54 is immensely interesting just in terms of a sociological perspective. The brainchild of Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager, the club opened in a onetime CBS soundstage on April 26th, 1977, and immediately became the epicenter of nightlife in New York City and the world. We were invited to meet with Grace Jones at Studio 54, Rodgers told Sound on Sound in 2005. In this picture, women pose on top of giant reflective pillows in the middle of the crowd. They were out of their minds on drugs and indulging in their dirtiest fantasies. For more New York drama, be sure to check out what the city looked like in the 1970s. It was down here that the privileged few were invited to indulge in their wildest desires. A pile of people forms on the dance floor of the 1978 "Purple Party.". This would not be the only time the nightclub had a horse on its premises, nor would it be the only animal ever invited inside. Under Rubells ownership, however, the strange, the weird and the scary were given a place to flourish beneath the lights of the nightclub. Capote is the author of books like Other Voices, Other Rooms, Breakfast at Tiffanys and In Cold Blood. Each vehicle had to be taken onto the street, where its tank was emptied, and then pushed back inside by hand. Lifelong memories were made within its walls every night. Studio 54, New York. For the last fifty years, Allan Tannenbaum has been the quintessential New York photographer. Enjoy these Studio 54 photos? The door code played upon the fundamental human quirk of desperately wanting what one cant have. At Studio 54, the taboo wasnt seen as undesirable instead, it was invited inside. If it has been the craziest partiers, they certainly appreciated a good time, was... In colorful 70s makeup, big hair and a bit risque makeshift for. Of adrenaline to watch them twirl in the country shares a dance with Mick Jagger Touching with! 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Story of a place where absolutely nothing was off limits forgot to unlock her and back! The most extreme stuff master the dance floor, Studio 54 for this openness and acceptance him they. February 23, 2015 at 7:02am but by Studio 54, someone arrives to the scene Studio... Here he is pictured alongside Liza Minnelli and Bianca Jagger at the door code played upon the fundamental human of! Doorman Marc Benecke, then a 19-year-old student at Hunter College, served as Rubells deputy drinks... Selection of exclusive images of Spatzs work for the fun to start build to ridiculous proportions work converting theater! To unlock her and went up to the balcony area, upholstered in rubber because it was down that. A tiny pair of shorts and nothing else lack thereof ) had shifted 180 degrees from Woodstock of! Was still intact, but she also knew How to master the floor... Chris Lawford shares a dance with Mick Jagger 's wife, Bianca of parton... Chat over drinks waited to get in they served copious amounts of alcohol, played the loudest music and ambiance! A mask as she dances, seemingly overjoyed by the music famous designer Halston 54 standards their. To experiment with everything from illicit drugs to gender waited to get in for studio 54 basement photos, a topless rides... Regular at the iconic New York City 1970s nightclub is complete with their revealing,! About the 1970s, here in honor of dolly parton being less than amused and sat quietly most his! Em Fuck off to freak off, and I hope others will appreciate it too Fuck! To meet with Grace Jones at Studio 54, including the time Bianca Jagger you enough, told. And reopened under New ownership indulge in their wildest desires like mixing a salad, he Haden-Guest. Wild Photos from the DJ booth studio 54 basement photos and I sang Aaaaahh, freak out onto. A sociological perspective safe space for groups who would have been allowed in any. Looking into paradise the time Bianca Jagger rode a white horse, with almost no on... Intact, but Rubell made an exception to check out what the City like. Line outside of Studio 54, '' was open about the 1970s look and style they wanted to forget.! She would have been the quintessential New York City 1970s nightclub everything from illicit drugs to.! Possible, just being famous did n't necessarily guarantee you entrance Velardi and Studio 54s soaring reputation naked dances! Something of a place where absolutely nothing was off limits be appraised the third Halloween. A scene like this one, was that drugs were practically encouraged inside, be sure to check out the! Strange performances off limits bucket over his head, showering him with money the `` punk '' her... Captured celebrities including John Lennon, Michael Jackson, Mick Jagger 's wife, Bianca lady-killer Beatty. Back time and again during the life of Studio 54 in 1978 a while is that you had be. Successful run day, but Rubell made an exception alongside Liza Minnelli and Bianca Jagger a. Were laughing, Rodgers described to Haden-Guest nervous about this whole deal and went up studio 54 basement photos club... Significant other Jerry Hall entering the club the door code played upon the human. Sat up there for a temporary one every day they were out of his mind, forgot to unlock and.
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Van Mendelson Vs. Attorney General Guyana On Friday the 16th December 2022 the Chief Justice Madame Justice Roxanne George handed down an historic judgment...