Steve Rubell was the co-founder and co-owner of the renowned New York nightclub Studio 54, a legendary establishment that would go on to become a symbol of excess and extravagance in the 1970s and 1980s.
Born and raised in New York, Rubell and his business partner Ian Schrager had previously operated a number of restaurants and offices before deciding to take the plunge and create the ultimate nightclub. Their vision was to create a space where anyone could get invited and anything could happen, and they achieved this by renting a vacant theater on West 54th Street in Manhattan and opening Studio 54 in April 1977.
Despite a slow start, the club quickly gained popularity and became known for its outrageous parties and gatherings, which often featured drugs, alcohol, and a wide range of sexual activities. This notoriety made Studio 54 a hotbed of controversy, and it was often the subject of media scrutiny and public debate.
However, by the end of 1979, the excess and business of Studio 54 had caught up with Rubell and Schrager, who were arrested by the IRS for income tax evasion and sentenced to three years in prison. They served 13 months of their sentence before being paroled, and they attempted to revive Studio 54, but without success.
After selling the club, Rubell and Schrager turned their attention to the hotel business, where they went on to buy and operate a number of upscale hotels.
