THE NIGHT MY PARENTS WENT TO STUDIO 54
On New Year’s Eve 1977, my parents went to Studio 54. This is their crazy story, as best my mother can remember. She’s eighty-six now and she drank a lot of champagne that night.
December 31, 1977
MEET MY PARENTS Sandie & David Gold
Their friends invited them to Studio 54 on New Year’s Eve.
BUT AS SOON AS THEY GOT INTO THE CITY
Their friends told them they were getting a divorce. Then they got carjacked by The Gambino’s and mugged off Broadway.
They finally made it to Studio 54, but Steve Rubell only let my Mom in. He told my Dad to go home.
Once inside, my Mom had a reunion with an old friend from high school.
My Mom met all of Liza’s friends
They were impressed with her style and grace.
Meanwhile, my Dad was outside freezing his ass off. He made friends with Nile and Bernard aka Chic. They didn’t get in either. Grace Jones forgot to put them on the guest list.
Dad went back to Nile’s apartment. They drank some champagne and came up with a freaky new song that sold 7 million copies.
BACK INSIDE STUDIO 54
MY MOM MET MICHAEL JACKSON
He gave her some business advice and then they did a robot dance dance off.
LATER THAT NIGHT, MY DAD FOUND THE GOLDEN TICKET
His friend’s car was parked outside Patsy’s on 56th & Broadway. He broke in, grabbed the invitation and ran for his life.
He was chased by mobsters, beaten by a cyclops and saved by three sirens.
He finally made it back to Studio 54, but Steve Rubell still wouldn’t let him in.
The Fonz didn’t get in either that night. Henry Winkler told my Dad if he really wanted to get into Studio 54, he’d find a way.
And sure enough, my Dad found a way.
My parents finally hooked up after midnight. They shared a fun dance, then caught a train back to Long Island and made a baby.
The night wasn’t a total loss for my Dad. He got a stock tip in the men’s room from his Fairy Godmother.
And Grace Jones went on at 3:00 and sang four songs. Steve & Ian served a complimentary champagne breakfast after the show.
I almost forgot. My sister Liz is named after Liza.
Steven Gilder (310) 866-6915 sgilder@sbcglobal.net