STUDIO ONE FOREVER STORYTELLERS

As front bartender, Michael was the face of Studio One for over a decade.

When Bob Fosse had a heart attack during rehearsals for the musical Chicago, Chita's friend Liza Minnelli booked her at the fledgling Studio One's Backlot, causing a sensation that lasted throughout the 70's and beyond.

Before he was center square on Hollywood Squares, comedy icon Bruce Vilanch wrote Backlot shows for luminaries like Bette Midler and many others.

Partners in life and producing partners at the Backlot in the 80's, they were instrumental in preserving the legacy of Studio One and The Backlot.

The first bartender for The Backlot.  He has stories to tell about the famous friends he served nightly.

A frequent patron in the 70s and 80s, he would become mayor of West Hollywood and lead the effort to preserve the legacy of Studio One.

Member of the legendary boy band N'Sync, Studio One may have been before his time, but Lance reveres the generations who shaped LGBTQ culture.  

Original member of the legendary music group Village People, Felipe recalls the wild times filming the musical "Can't Stop The Music" at Studio One.

A frequent performer at the Backlot.  When her sister Barbra Streisand was in the audience, she says the audience watched Barbra instead of her.

Carol was Scott Forbes's best friend and business partner, responsible for the first gay night at Disneyland.

A renowned master photographer and patron of Studio One, he was Divine's best friend for many years.

A prominent cabaret producer, Alan booked Geraldine Fitzgerald at the Backlot and convinced Bette Davis to introduce her to the stage.

A legendary photographer and producer, Michael's partner was "Midnight Cowboy" director John Schlesinger.  They were known as the first "out couple."

Perhaps the most prolific entertainer at the Backlot over its nearly 20-year existence.   She brought New York class and  sophistication to Los Angeles.

An expert on film history, a raconteur and a regular patron of Studio One, David's colorful elucidation brings the past back to life.

She attended the first AIDS fundraiser at Studio One with her mother Joan Rivers despite death threats from right wing homophobes.

Best known for her role in the sitcom "The Facts Of Life," Geri performed her standup act at the Backlot and enjoyed dancing in the disco with her girlfriends.

Brian went on to Broadway and TV stardom based on his performance at the Backlot's Monday Night Live talent showcase.

At the ripe age of 19, Sam performed his first solo show at the Backlot to a star-studded crowd including Cary Grant.  He went on to become a Star Search winner and a platinum recording artist.

The star of the 1977  TV movie "Alexander: The Other Side of Dawn", Leigh remembers shooting the groundbreaking film at Studio One.

From breaking the color barrier as one of Bette Midler's Harlettes, Charlo's performances at The Backlot earned her a major recording contract.

A legendary drag performer and actor, Gypsy recalls taking his friend Lucille Ball to Studio One.

An animal rescuer by day, Natalie rescued gay history when she found a stash of slides from Studio One's heyday on the verge of being discarded.

Legendary singer and recording artist, her #1 hit "Don't Leave Me This Way" became an anthem for saying goodbye to discos all over the country.

A prolific producer of cabaret, Clifford recalls the first time he visited Studio One in his youth and attending shows at The Backlot.

A couple since the early 80's, they remember using a fake ID to get into Studio One when they were underage. 

A self-proclaimed "cha cha queen" he recalls the first time he stepped into Studio One, seeing the confident attitude of the shirtless men and wanting to be one of them.

Not everyone had joyful experiences at Studio One.  Harlan talks about the fateful night on his 21st birthday and the tragic event that haunts him to this day.

A founding member of the Gay Liberation Front in the 1970's, Dr. Don shares what gay life was like before Studio One when it was illegal for two men to touch each other in public.

As a sexually awkward young man, Studio One opened up his world and freed him from the guilt that society tried to impose on him.

The most popular star of Studio One's male dancers in the 80's.   When he walked onto the stage, it was like the parting of the red sea making him feel at home.

A prominent West Hollywood realtor, Richard experienced Studio One through the highs and the lows.  His memories of personal loss during the AIDS crisis is heartbreaking.

He started as a bartender at The Backlot, and soon took over as producer of Monday Night Live when the position opened up.

Alan Carr's personal DJ, Don recounts filming the "so bad it's good" classic "Can't Stop The Music" at Studio One.

An awkward kid struggling with identity, Chris found himself when he became a DJ at the club in the 80s.

As a 22-year old kid from Kansas City, Studio One was the first place that allowed him to truly be himself.

The last surviving co-owner of Studio One, he tells the story of how Studio One began.

A regular attendee in the 80's, John got his big break on Star Search by performing at The Backlot.

Disco Dan's passion for disco is so strong that it's part of his name.  He was the APLA representative for the first AIDS fundraiser held at Studio One, hosted by Joan Rivers, Sylvester, Julie Budd and Charles Nelson Reilly.

A DJ in the disco era and beyond, he remembers motivating the crowd to do the famous disco chant... woo woo.

Women were frequently denied entry  to the club in the 70's when Scott Forbes implemented the infamous "no open toed shoes" policy.   Corrine and her girlfriends found ways to get in despite the ban.

2 of the 3 Tina's, they've been spreading joy and laughter since the 80's.

A West Hollywood historian, he played a critical role in preserving the legacy of Studio One.

Music director for many years at the Backlot, he recalls the famous faces who visited the club.  His song "If I Travel Up" was written for a musical based on Studio One and is featured in the film.

Well known gay gossip columnist and podcaster, he spills the "t" on what really happened at Studio One.

A frequent patron of Studio One, the memories of those times remain with him forever.

Since women were denied entry, she reveals the extraordinary lengths she went to get in.

A legendary actress and singer, she talks about the heydey of the Backlot, watching Chita Rivera and sitting next to Jimmy Stewart.

Beloved cabaret singer for over 30 years, she dedicated her life to fundraising for AIDS charities until her death in 2020.

The custodian of LGBTQ history, he is the head archivist at USC's One Archives and gives Bruce Vilanch and friends a tour of the vaults.

The stage manager and tech director of The Backlot for many years, he recalls being star struck when Cary Grant walked in the door.

A beloved member of the West Hollywood community, Bill shares his love for adult film star Lance and his tragic death.

Bill McNeeley's close friend of many years who also loved Lance.  They teamed up to help him get sober.

A regular patron of Studio One, he designed the memorable logo for the club.   

Longtime West Hollywood councilman, he served with John Duran when the developer revealed plans to demolish the building.

As public relations director for the developer, he heard first-hand stories from survivors of the era and their pleas to save the building from total destruction.