A photo of a dancer in a glittering dress, from inside Studio 54.
Photo: Guy Marineau/WWD/Shutterstock

A Studio 54 Playlist by Brooklyn Museum Curator Matthew Yakobosky

By Aileen Kwun
March 14, 2020
2 minute read

Matthew Yokobosky, senior curator of fashion and material culture at the Brooklyn Museum, shares a playlist of disco tracks from “Studio 54: Night Magic,” an exhibition on the history, social politics, and aesthetics of the legendary New York nightclub. The show will be on view through July 5, but due to the coronavirus, the museum is currently closed until further notice.

“These ten songs were performed as a part of D.J. sets at Studio 54, between April 26, 1977, and February 2, 1980. Two of the main D.J.s at the nightclub were Richie Kaczor and Roy Thode. Kaczor was the first D.J. to spin at Studio 54, and was later responsible for breaking Gloria Gaynor's ‘I Will Survive.’ Originally released as a B-side and with Studio 54’s support, the song went on to win a Grammy. In 1979, Roy Thode, along with D.J. Marc Paul Simon, mixed and sequenced the double album set A Night at Studio 54—every song was mixed into the next without breaks. The first side featured Chic’s ‘Le Freak’ as the opening track, which was originally titled ‘Fuck Off’ and written after Chic founders Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers couldn’t get into Grace Jones’s New Year’s Eve performance at Studio 54.”

“Love Vibration,” Joe Simon

“I Will Survive,” Gloria Gaynor

“Hit and Run” (Dr. Packer radio edit), Loleatta Holloway

“Let’s All Chant,” Michael Zager Band

“Rio de Janeiro,” Gary Criss

“Disco Nights (Rock Freak)” (7" version), G.Q.

“Le Freak,” Chic

“Moon Boots,” Orlando Riva Sound

“Don't Stop” (12" single), Ish

“Boogie Oogie Oogie,” A Taste of Honey