Steve Rubell
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| Steve Rubell | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 2, 1943 Brooklyn, New York, United States |
| Died | July 25, 1989 (aged 45) New York City, New York, United States |
Steve Rubell (December 2, 1943 - July 25, 1989) was an American entrepreneur and co-owner of the New York disco Studio 54.
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[edit] Early life
Rubell and his brother Don spent their childhoods with their parents in Brooklyn, New York. His father worked for the U.S. Postal Service and later became a tennis pro. Rubell attended Wingate High School, and was also an avid tennis player,[1] but decided against playing professionally.
[edit] Education
Entering Syracuse University [2] has the intention of becoming a dentist, but failed his courses.
He switched majors, studying finance and history. He was not a good student, reportedly, but managed to complete his studies, going on to complete a Master's degree in Finance.
While attending college Rubell met Ian Schrager, that turned into a lifelong friend and business partner.
[edit] Business
Rubell joined the National Guard, returning to New York after a tour of duty in the military intelligence unit, he worked at a brokerage firm after his return.
Then he decided to start his own business and opened up two restaurants, one in Queens, New York and the other in New Haven, Connecticut.
[edit] Studio 54 Era
In 1974, Rubell teamed up with Schrager to run a chain of steak restaurants, and after spending some time in the NY nightclub scene, the two decided to open a club of their own.
They opened two clubs to start with, one in Boston, the other, called The Enchanted Garden, in Queens. In April 1977, they opened Studio 54 in an old television studio on West 54th Street. Rubell became a familiar face in front of the building, turning people down at the door and only letting in those who met his specific standards. Sometimes he would dismiss unwanted patrons by telling them that they were ugly, or that they should go home and change their clothes. Rubell also dealt with the club's celebrity patrons, ensuring that they were thrown lavish parties and given gifts. His tactics worked, and the club made $7 million during its first year.
In December 1978, Studio 54 was raided after Rubell was quoted as saying that only the Mafia made more money than the club brought in. In June 1979, Rubell and Schrager were charged with tax evasion, obstruction of justice, and conspiracy for reportedly skimming nearly $2.5 million in unreported income from the club's receipts, in a system Rubell called "cash-in, cash-out and skim." [3] A second raid occurred in December 1979. The pair hired Roy Cohn to defend them,[4] but on January 18, 1980, they were sentenced to three and a half years in prison and a $20,000 fine each for the tax evasion charge.
On February 4, 1980, Rubell and Schrager went to prison.
Studio 54 was sold in November 1980 for $4.75 million.
In January 1981, Rubell and Schrager were released from prison after handing over the names of other club owners involved in tax evasion.
[edit] Hotels
Once released, Rubell and Schrager purchased the Executive Hotel on Madison Ave and renamed it Morgan's. Rubell later opened the Palladium, a large dance club famous for displaying art by Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol, and considered central to the New York club scene in the 1980s.
Recently, The Palladium was demolished so that New York University dorms could be built in its place.[5]
[edit] Pop culture
Mike Myers played the part of Steve Rubell in the movie 54. [6]
Steve Rubell: Lord of the Disco was an episode of Biography.
[edit] Death
In 1985, Rubell, who was closeted for most of his life,[2] discovered he had AIDS.
He began taking AZT, but his illness was furthered by his continued drugs usage and drinking, which affected his already compromised immune system.
Rubell died on July 25, 1989. The official cause of death was listed as hepatitis.[3]
[edit] References
- ^ Colacello, Bob (1998-08-01). "Steve Rubell's Interview with "INTERVIEW"". Interview. http://www.morbid-curiosity.com/id156.htm. Retrieved 2007-12-29.
- ^ a b Lemon, Brendan (1998-07-21). "The real Rubell - Studio 54 owner Steve Rubell". The Advocate. http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1589/is_n764/ai_20944429. Retrieved 2007-03-16.
- ^ a b Martin, Douglas (1990-07-25). "About New York; Nights of Glitz, A Velvet Rope And Memories". New York Times. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE7DC1131F936A15754C0A966958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=2. Retrieved 2007-12-29.
- ^ "Cocaine Caper?". Time. 1979-09-03. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,948580,00.html?promoid=googlep. Retrieved 2007-12-29.
- ^ Stoler, Michael (2006-05-30). "Plans at Union Square to Enhance Its Place in History as a Gathering Place". New York Sun. http://www.nysun.com/article/30120?page_no=29. Retrieved 2007-12-29.
- ^ Ganahl, Jane (1998-08-28). "Boring "54" a coup de grace for '70's". SFGate.com. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/e/a/1998/08/28/WEEKEND11783.dtl. Retrieved 2007-12-29.
