Rod Stewart, 74, puts on a wild display as he parties alongside fellow Tramp patrons to mark the club's 50th anniversary... with Michael Caine, 86, and Joan Collins, 86, joining in the raucous nostalgia

  • Tramp nightclub celebrated its 50th anniversary on Thursday evening, with a host of the venue's original patrons from the Swinging Sixies turning up to mark the occasion
  • The club was founded by Oscar Lerman, Bill Ofner and Johnny Gold and given its name with inspiration from Charlie Chaplin's character, The Little Tramp, when the narrator said: 'This was the greatest Tramp of all'
  • Tramp's website reads: 'There is one rule from 1969 that will never change - what happens in Tramp, stays in Tramp. And the legends, both living and dead, who have frequented the venue will never tell you otherwise.' 

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Tramp nightclub celebrated its 50th anniversary on Thursday evening, with a host of the venue's original patrons from the Swinging Sixies turning up to mark the occasion. 

Rod Stewart, 74, Joan Collins, 86, and Michael Caine, 86, led the loyal customers returning to the scene in Mayfair, where many explosive episodes have taken place - including the late George Best punching Michael and trying to steal Bill Wyman's wallet while 'obsessed' Keith Moon is said to have sobbed when he was barred from the club. 

The upmarket members club, which boasts of treating 'everyone like a VIP', opened its doors for the festivities where Rod, joined by his wife Penny Lancaster, proved he had not left his wild ways behind by flashing his bottom at press, while Michael was gleefully joined by his wife Shakira, who he met in the club in 1971.

Then and now: Rod Stewart, 74, Joan Collins, 86, and Michael Caine, 86, (left-right, joined by their spouses Penny Lancaster, Shakira Caine and Percy Gibson) led the loyal customers at Tramp nightclub on Thursday to celebrate its 50th anniversary
Then and now: Rod Stewart, 74, Joan Collins, 86, and Michael Caine, 86, (left-right, joined by their spouses Penny Lancaster, Shakira Caine and Percy Gibson) led the loyal customers at Tramp nightclub on Thursday to celebrate its 50th anniversary
Then and now: Rod Stewart, 74, Joan Collins, 86, and Michael Caine, 86, (left-right, joined by their spouses Penny Lancaster, Shakira Caine and Percy Gibson) led the loyal customers at Tramp nightclub on Thursday to celebrate its 50th anniversary

Then and now: Rod Stewart, 74, Joan Collins, 86, and Michael Caine, 86, (left-right, joined by their spouses Penny Lancaster, Shakira Caine and Percy Gibson) led the loyal customers at Tramp nightclub on Thursday to celebrate its 50th anniversary

Since opening on December 18, 1969, Tramp, located on Jermyn Street in Mayfair and the brainchild of Johnny Gold, Bill Ofner and Oscar Lerman, has been loved by a host of celebrities, including royals, politicians, A-list actors, famed socialites and a stream of rock stars. 

Many of the stories from within the club are the stuff of showbiz legend, including the tale of football legend George stealing The Rolling Stones guitarist Bill's wallet before punching Michael. 

When the football ace, who suffered well-documented issues with alcoholism, failed to show up for Manchester United training, the team's manager Matt Busby would reportedly call Tramp to see if he was still there. 

Returning to the scenes of his past misdemeanors, former lothario Rod reportedly embarked on a number of dalliances inside the club including picking up a woman, driving her to his Windsor home to bed her before driving back to Tramp to find another woman. 

Through the ages: Michael Caine (pictured in 1999) has frequented the lavish venue for many years and they turned out on Thursday to celebrate 50 years of the club
Rock on! Rod was also a lover of the chic club which was often littered with stars (pictured in 1973)
Way back when: Joan has been known to rub shoulders with fellow stars at the venue (pictured in 2002)

Through the ages: Michael, Rod and Joan (left to right) have all frequented the lavish venue for many years and they turned out on Thursday to celebrate 50 years of the club

Reminiscing: Michael and Joan took a walk down memory lane as they sat next to each other

Reminiscing: Michael and Joan took a walk down memory lane as they sat next to each other

Way back when: Rod was quite the face in Tramp after years in the club (pictured in 1984)
Quirky: Rod displayed his typical debonair style in a white suit jacket, with a gold broach and snake embellished velour loafers

Back in the day: Returning to the scenes of his past misdemeanors, former lothario Rod reportedly embarked on a number of dalliances inside the club including picking up a woman, driving her to his Windsor home to bed her

Keith meanwhile was blacklisted after he showed up to the club naked, strapped to the bonnet of his Rolls Royce, and proceeded to swing from a 17th century chandelier, ripping it out of the ceiling. When founder Johnny Gold banned him, he reportedly begged: 'You can’t bar me, where else will I go?’ 

The royals were big fans of the club due to the shielding from the paparazzi, media and admirers.  

In the Seventies, Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon would come to the club to dance and drink whiskey before she would take the floor with Peter Sellers while flirting.

Rock on! Rod marked the launch of his group Faces' album Ooh La La in the club in 1973 (left-right: guitarist Ronnie Wood, keyboard player Ian McLagan, singer Rod, bassist Ronnie Lane and drummer Kenney Jones)

Rock on! Rod marked the launch of his group Faces' album Ooh La La in the club in 1973 (left-right: guitarist Ronnie Wood, keyboard player Ian McLagan, singer Rod, bassist Ronnie Lane and drummer Kenney Jones)

Way back when: Michael and his wife Shakira who met at the club back in 1971 also ringed in the 50th anniversary  (pictured in 1991)
Now: The couple are still living in bliss (pictured on Thursday)

Nostalgia: Michael and his wife Shakira met in the club - which he previously joked that he 'lived in' (pictured left in 1991)

Fantastic: Joan was honoured with cutting the cake after her many years of partying in the club

Fantastic: Joan was honoured with cutting the cake after her many years of partying in the club

Somethings never change! Joan and Percy (pictured in 2001) were keen not to miss the festivities as they stepped out
Elegant: Joan, 86, meanwhile cut a glamorous figure in a black bardot dress as she headed to the bash with her smartly-dressed husband Percy Gibson

Elegant: Joan, 86, meanwhile cut a glamorous figure in a black bardot dress as she headed to the bash with her smartly-dressed husband Percy Gibson, after many years of visiting the club both with and without one another 

Shocker: Keith Moon meanwhile was blacklisted after he showed up to the club naked, strapped to the bonnet of his Rolls Royce, and proceeded to swing from a 17th century chandelier, ripping it out of the ceiling (pictured in 1975)

Shocker: Keith Moon meanwhile was blacklisted after he showed up to the club naked, strapped to the bonnet of his Rolls Royce, and proceeded to swing from a 17th century chandelier, ripping it out of the ceiling (pictured in 1975)

Way back when: Late party legend Tara Palmer-Tomkinson famously threw her 27th birthday in the venue, where she was pictured outside the venue sporting a white bikini, fur coat, snorkel and little else (pictured in 1998)

Way back when: Late party legend Tara Palmer-Tomkinson famously threw her 27th birthday in the venue, where she was pictured outside the venue sporting a white bikini, fur coat, snorkel and little else (pictured in 1998)

Wow! The doors of Tramp have been thrown open to many stars, with icons including The Rolling Stones, Jack Nicholson (pictured in 1980), Liza Minnelli and Clint Eastwood, all enjoying nights out at the venue

Wow! The doors of Tramp have been thrown open to many stars, with icons including The Rolling Stones, Jack Nicholson (pictured in 1980), Liza Minnelli and Clint Eastwood, all enjoying nights out at the venue 

Politico: Former Prime Minister David Cameron was one of many additions to the patrons (pictured in 2009)
Rock on: Katie Price also attended the club where she was rubbing shoulders with the stars (pictured in 2010)
Royal wave! Sarah Ferguson added a touch of royalty to proceedings (pictured in 1986)

From parliament to Pricey! A whole range of stars graced the club, including former Prime Minister David Cameron, glamour model Katie Price and royal Sarah Ferguson 

Dodi Fayed, who died with Princess Diana, spent much time in Tramp as a young man. Gold recalled one night steering him away from a young woman. When he asked why, Gold replied: ‘If you must know, your father is f****** her!’

He later claimed that Diana and Dodi might still be alive if they had kept a lunch-date with him on the day of their fatal car crash. Dodi is thought to have taken the princess dancing at the club during their brief summer romance.

The Tramp burgers - often dished up at 3am - are as famous as the clientele. Joan is said to be a huge fan of the snack, served in the wee hours, with chips. Shirley MacLaine meanwhile was said to be a big fan of the sausages and mash on offer and would fashion the food into a fallic shape.

Glam! Jodie Kiss was added to the long string of stars to celebrate at the bash - celebrating her 30th birthday at the club

Glam! Jodie Kiss was added to the long string of stars to celebrate at the bash - celebrating her 30th birthday at the club

Way back when: There are other troubling stories — one that might offend #MeToo activists. It was in Tramp that Bill Wyman, then 47, met 13-year-old Mandy Smith. They married six years later (pictured in 1989)
Back again: Bill was living it up again as he made a comeback to the nightclub

Way back when: There are other troubling stories — one that might offend #MeToo activists. It was in Tramp that Bill Wyman, then 47, met 13-year-old Mandy Smith. They married six years later

Happy days: The club has long courted the highest caliber of celebrities through its London doors

Happy days: The club has long courted the highest caliber of celebrities through its London doors

Lol: The Do Ya Think I'm Sexy? hitmaker proved he hadn't aged one bit since his rock n' roll heyday as he wiggling his posterior for the cameras, while Penny giggled gleefully

Lol: The Do Ya Think I'm Sexy? hitmaker proved he hadn't aged one bit since his rock n' roll heyday as he wiggling his posterior for the cameras, while Penny giggled gleefully

Back in the day: Ronnie and Jo Wood were also seen in the venue on many occasions

Back in the day: Ronnie and Jo Wood were also seen in the venue on many occasions 

A bottle of Krug champagne is £450 and magnums of Roederer Cristal, drink of taste for many of the club’s clients, are £2,000. Fifty grams of Iranian Beluga caviar are on the menu at £280, but Tramp’s burger and chips are only £18. 

On the other side, there are more troubling stories. It was in Tramp that Bill, then 47, met 13-year-old Mandy Smith. They married six years later.

One night in 1985, pop star George Michael was drunk and vomiting in the nightclub. Management threw him out and told him not to come back.

A much more decorous guest was Victoria Lockwood, first wife of Earl Spencer, who held her sedate hen party there in 1989.

Way back when: Rod also attended the club with his ex-wife Rachel Hunter (pictured in 1997)

Way back when: Rod also attended the club with his ex-wife Rachel Hunter (pictured in 1997)

Home time! Rod made a bleary-eyed exit from the glitzy bash
Home time! Rod made a bleary-eyed exit from the glitzy bash

Home time! Rod made a bleary-eyed exit from the glitzy bash after a no doubt nostalgic evening

Boozy night: He appeared slightly worse for wear as he hopped in a taxi

Boozy night: He appeared slightly worse for wear as he hopped in a taxi

Ha! In the nineties, model Caprice was on Rod's arm inside the venue

Ha! In the nineties, model Caprice was on Rod's arm inside the venue

As a 19-year-old not long out of her school, Benenden, Princess Anne loved to dance. Once, she said she had to leave early as she had to attend the Remembrance service the following day. Asked about the solemn annual event, the princess said she always had an urge to stand on the Whitehall balcony holding a sign saying ‘Hello Folks!’

The club was so beloved by some that it also played host to wedding receptions, for stars including Peter Sellers, Joan Collins, Liza Minnelli and Ringo Starr.

Late party legend Tara Palmer-Tomkinson famously threw her 27th birthday in the venue, where she was pictured outside the club sporting a white bikini, fur coat, snorkel and little else. 

Joining the crew! Canadian rapper Drake is often seen living it up in Mayfair, having first been spotted joining Rihanna at the club in 2016 and last seen there just last month

Joining the crew! Canadian rapper Drake is often seen living it up in Mayfair, having first been spotted joining Rihanna at the club in 2016 and last seen there just last month

Hollywood icon: Joan Collins, 86, meanwhile cut a glamorous figure in a black bardot dress as she headed to the bash with her smartly-dressed husband Percy Gibson

Hollywood icon: Joan Collins, 86, meanwhile cut a glamorous figure in a black bardot dress as she headed to the bash with her smartly-dressed husband Percy Gibson

Glam girl! In the Eighties, Joan attended the club with her ex-husband Peter Holm

Glam girl! In the Eighties, Joan attended the club with her ex-husband Peter Holm

Wow; Model Penny flaunted her enviable toned legs as she arrived at the glitzy bash

Wow; Model Penny flaunted her enviable toned legs as she arrived at the glitzy bash 

While there are many raucous tales of previous misgivings, nowadays stars including Drake, Rihanna and Noel Gallagher favour the hotspot. 

Canadian rapper Drake is often seen living it up in Mayfair, having first been spotted joining Rihanna at the club in 2016 and last seen there just last month. 

David Beckham took his son Brooklyn, then 17, to the venue in 2016, to help him recover from his split from Chloe Grace Moretz. 

When the club first opened half a century ago, the membership fee stood at £7.50, while guests will now be charged £1,000 a year to be a member of the club.  

To celebrate the anniversary of the club, the stars ensured they put on suitably glamorous appearances in a nod to their heyday at the watering hole.  

Wow! In 1991, Liza Minnelli and Mel Brooks made an appearance in the club

Wow! In 1991, Liza Minnelli and Mel Brooks made an appearance in the club

Back in the day: Hollywood royalty made an appearance when Clint Eastwood and Jane Brolin attended

Back in the day: Hollywood royalty made an appearance when Clint Eastwood and Jane Brolin attended

Partying the night away: He once said: 'I used to live in Tramp. I was in there every night – givin’ it some of that!'

Partying the night away: He once said: 'I used to live in Tramp. I was in there every night – givin’ it some of that!'

Fond memories: Bill, 82, also received a coveted invite to the party

Fond memories: Bill, 82, also received a coveted invite to the party 

Tramp has long been a hotbed for superstars, with the current general manager of the venue, David Fleming, detailing the appeal of the hot-spot as he said: 'What happens in Tramp, stays in Tramp'. 

Michael said in the past: 'I used to live in Tramp. I was in there every night – givin’ it some of that!'

After 17 years of working in the club, David, 55, spoke to Luxury Life about the behaviour in the club, saying: 'People are actually surprisingly well behaved in here. Stars are definitely more discreet now and also look after themselves more, so there isn’t so much of the excess that took place in the 1970s...

'But the thing about Tramp is that, whether you’re a star or not, everybody who is a member is aware that it’s a huge privilege to be part of it. And so people do behave. I’ve only had to ban two people in the past five years.'

Dressed to impress: Joan and Percy were dressed to the nines for the huge anniversary bash

Dressed to impress: Joan and Percy were dressed to the nines for the huge anniversary bash 

Diamonds are forever: Joan ensured all eyes were on her, accessorisiing her black strapless dress with a diamond necklace and earrings

Diamonds are forever: Joan ensured all eyes were on her, accessorisiing her black strapless dress with a diamond necklace and earrings 

Old pals: Joan and Michael caught up over a nice glass of wine

Old pals: Joan and Michael caught up over a nice glass of wine 

Anniversary celebrations: Hazel Collins and Bill Collins also joined the festivities

Anniversary celebrations: Hazel Collins and Bill Collins also joined the festivities

Launched back in December 18, 1969, the exclusive nightclub was the place where celebrities flocked to

Launched back in December 18, 1969, the exclusive nightclub was the place where celebrities flocked to

Having a blast: Rod posed with Daniel Lismore as he indulged in a glass of red wine

Having a blast: Rod posed with Daniel Lismore as he indulged in a glass of red wine 

Happy days: The couple looked stylish and sophisticated to mark the big day
Wow: Penny showed off her supermodel figure in a back and grey striped minidress, which she elevated with black court shoes and a velvet YSL clutch bag

Fond memories: Penny showed off her supermodel figure in a back and grey striped minidress, which she complemented with black court shoes and a velvet YSL clutch bag

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Rod Stewart, Michael Caine and Joan Collins, 86 celebrate Tramp nightclub's 50th birthday