Steve Rubell
| Steve Rubell | |
|---|---|
| Born |
December 2, 1943 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Died |
July 25, 1989 (aged 45) New York City, New York, U.S. |
Cause of death | AIDS-related hepatitis and septic shock |
Resting place | Beth Moses Cemetery |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Wingate High School |
| Alma mater | Syracuse University |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur, nightclub owner |
| Religion | Jewish[1] |
Steve Rubell (December 2, 1943 – July 25, 1989) was an American entrepreneur and co-owner of the New York disco Studio 54.
Early life and education
Rubell and his brother Don spent their childhoods with their parents in Brooklyn. 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,but decided against playing professionally.
Entering Syracuse University Rubell had the intention of becoming a dentist, but failed his courses and switched majors, studying finance and history. Rubell was reportedly not a good student but managed to complete his studies, going on to complete a Master's degree in Finance. While attending college Rubell met Ian Schrager, who became a lifelong friend and business partner.
Career
Rubell joined the National Guard, returning to New York after a tour of duty in a military intelligence unit, he worked at a brokerage firm after his return. Rubell then decided to start his own business and opened two Steak Lofts restaurants: one in Queens, New York, and the other in New Haven, Connecticut.
Studio 54 Era
Rubell and Schrager opened two clubs, one in Boston with John Addison from La Jardin, the other, called The Enchanted Garden, in Queens in 1975, which later became Douglaston Manor. In April 1977, they opened Studio 54 in the old CBS Studio on West 54th Street that the network was selling. 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. Rubell also dealt with the club's celebrity patrons, ensuring that they were thrown lavish parties. 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." Police reports state that cash and receipts were in the building and were hidden in the ceiling sections of Rubell's office, where both he and Schrager worked.[2] A second raid occurred in December 1979. The pair hired Roy Cohn to defend them,[3] 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 and Studio 54 was sold in November of that year for $4.75 million. On January 30, 1981, Rubell and Schrager were released from prison after which they lived at a halfway house for two and half months.[4]
Hotels
After their release on April 17, 1981,[4] 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. In 1998, the Palladium was demolished so that New York University dorms could be built in its place.[5]
Death
In 1985, Rubell (who was closeted for most of his life) discovered he had contracted AIDS. He began taking AZT, but his illness was furthered by his continued drug usage and drinking, which affected his already compromised immune system. A few weeks before his death, Rubell checked into Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City under an assumed name to seek treatment for severe peptic ulcers, kidney failure and hepatitis.[4] He died there on July 25, 1989. Rubell's official cause of death listed as hepatitis and septic shock complicated by AIDS.[2][6]
Rubell's private funeral, which was attended by numerous Studio 54 regulars including Bianca Jagger, Calvin Klein and Donald Trump was held on July 27 at the Riverside Chapel on Amsterdam Avenue and 76th Street in Manhattan.[7] He is buried at Beth Moses Cemetery in Farmingdale, New York.
In popular culture
Mike Myers played the part of Steve Rubell in the movie 54, much to Rubell's relatives' protest after the movie portrayed him as an overly sleazy gay man and an alcoholic junkie with mob connections.[8]
Rubell has also been the topic of an episode of Biography titled Steve Rubell: Lord of the Disco.
References
- ↑ Robertson, Wilmot (1989). Instauration, Volumes 15-16. Howard Allen Enterprises, Inc. p. 32.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Martin, Douglas (July 25, 1990). "About New York; Nights of Glitz, A Velvet Rope And Memories". New York Times. Retrieved December 29, 2007.
- ↑ "Cocaine Caper?". Time. September 3, 1979. Retrieved December 29, 2007.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Singleton, Don (July 27, 1989). "Studio 54 founder Steve Rubell dies". Reading Eagle. p. 46.
- ↑ Stoler, Michael (2006-05-30). "Plans at Union Square to Enhance Its Place in History as a Gathering Place". New York Sun. Retrieved 2007-12-29.
- ↑ "Steve Rubell, 45, co-owner of Studio 54 who reigned over...". chicagotribune.com. July 30, 1989.
- ↑ Barron, James (July 28, 1989). "Rubell Created Homes Away From Home for the Trendsetters". nytimes.
- ↑ Ganahl, Jane (1998-08-28). "Boring "54" a coup de grace for '70's". SFGate.com. Retrieved 2007-12-29.
External links
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