Nelson did not much want to go to The Gaity to see the nude males perform, but he went out of politeness. After that, the gang had dinner in the East Village and later Eric went home in a snit. Video by Nelson Sullivan
@@dimi7171 They were taking pictures with an instant camera. Like a Polaroid. Hard to make copies of those unless you had access to a color copier, which in the 1980s was pretty rare.
Also, a typical VHS video camera in the 1980s weighed ten to fifteen pounds. It was almost impossible to get shaky footage unless you were doing it intentionally.
His friend & business partner Dick said in one of his last interviews with Bettyjack.com that Nelson had mastered viewing his shots from on top of the lens instead of through the lens. Which allowed him to steady the camera with his chin. Which was a self developed technique that he created. Here’s the link to the interview if you’re interested; www.bettyjack.com/funtone/nelson/johnwithdick/
I'm back with new locations, so Charlie's a.k.a "beefsteak charlies" was located on west 44th street and broadway in time square. It's now defunct and it's former spot is now the ABC "Good Morning America" studio. it's also located across the street from the MTV studio. In this video you'll notice there was a Loews theater, which is now the Playstation Theater and it sits on the side of the VIACOM building which you're probably familiar with if you watched MTV "TRL" during the 90's into the 2000's Gaiety theater 201 west 46th street ??? well, sad news. It's gone as you would expect. The gaiety theater was once a male burlesque show and theater. It was a very popular hang out spot in the time square area from the mid 1970's until the changes started occurring. The embassy purchased it and the entrance moved around the corner to 1547 broadway. Unfortunately despite being popular, once the embassy started making changes like changing the name from Gaiety to the "Embassy" they decided to create a huge hotel out of all the chains they purchased in Time Square eventually become yet another hotel by the name of the New York Marriott Marquis Hotel. You can find this location by the former address 201 west 46th street for the side of the building and old entrance, and you can search 1547 broadway (New York, NY) for the front entrance. "Odessa's home cooking" located at 117 Avenue A had to close their doors a couple of years back, thanks to hungry landlords hiking the rent up 50%. Luckily before this happened they had expanded and the restaurant exist directly next-door at 119 Avenue A. It's across the street from the Tompkins Square Park, Although the cafe and bar is gone, you can still explore their amazing food and they still have the same plates and glasses that you see in the video. Quick Trivia, Odessa's use to serve food at the "Leshko Coffee Shop" while their main location served as a bar. Leshko Coffee Shop was located at 111 Avenue A which is where they are dining in this video. Leshko shutdown in 2000. Odessa's moved into there official location a few doors down in the 80's oh and they took the neon sign with them! you can see all 3 of these location as they are only doors away from one another. HAPPY EXPLORING! (Submit locations you want me to track down @UloveTashi on instagram!
Nelson and his friends are fascinating. I stumbled upon one of his videos by accident and I am completely hooked. The quality is unbelievable, it’s a proper time capsule. Nelson and all of his friends are infectious in every way. I am a middle aged married man with no gay tendencies but somehow his lifestyle is compelling. Would have loved to have met him but somehow it’s more intriguing looking at his past. It is very sad he died so young, he was very talented and very special and I am sure he would have gone on to do very well in life. God bless Nelson.
I like the different perspective. Going different places and seeing life through Nelson's eyes. He was a very smart,fun and interesting guy. He was very positive for his friends. Its interesting to find out where they are today. You even get to meet his family.
The streets are so empty, compared to now. They're walking around admiring buildings and the city. I'm the only one out of my friends that does that still, all my other "friends" stare at their phone while they walk down the street.. It makes me want to cry
Ugh same here. Walking around and just finding a place to go is boring to a lot of people. I hate Times Square though, wayyyy too crowded, the city never gets a break from tourists lmao
The 80s were such a complex time for those of us in our youth then. It was a frightening time for the gay community. It was the height of the AIDS scare and so many gay men were dying or fearful of this horrible disease. Gay people were particularly viewed negatively by mainstream America in light of AIDS as it was branded the "gay cancer". Reagan was in power and the conservative agenda was in full swing. On the positive side, the music was amazing, the gay community was more tight nit than ever, the fight for gay rights and railing against Reagan for funding for AIDS research was steaming ahead, and it was pre-cell phones & internet so you had to leave your house to find fun and hang with your friends.I have to say I have such love in my heart for Nelson for giving us all the gift of the videos. Although I wasn't living in such a gay mecca as NYC, I honestly want to cry watching it because I am so happy and sad at the same time. Brings back such memories!
Exactly you are 💯 right, the 80s themes are popular now bc of modern series and movies it was based on. So kids and young adults consider the 80s a humble time when it wasn't. Not to mention unemployment and serial killers were rampant too. But when it comes to pop culture and style in my opinion...NO decade has beaten the 80s, hence why it's so popular today.
Thanks so much for uploading this wonderful video. I was 23 years old in 1987 and worked full-time in Loss Prevention @ TJMaxx. My father was still alive and donned a Member’s Only jacket. He drove a Mercury Monarch and I drove a Gran Torino. I listened to Heart, Steve Winwood and Whitesnake to name a few. And the fabulous movie, Less Than Zero with Robert Downey Jr., Andrew McCarthy, and Jami Gertz was one of my favorites in the late 1980’s. I can go on and on. I’m grateful for my many fabulous memories of days gone by. 🦋🥰🦋
I turned 24 in 87. I worked for Brookshires in Louisiana. I saw heart in concert and liked Steve Winwood. Now I watch Nelson's videos and long for that time. Life is life. 59 now, unemployed and do surveys for cash and watch RU-vid.
@@brucewebb1114 Me too. 18 yrs old in 87.. I am so thankful to have been part of the 80's generation. "Members Only" lightweight jackets 👍 Good times.
I will never stop watching Nelson's videos. I wish someone could upload the rest of them but please RU-vid dont take them down. Nelson Sullivan is a legend. I find something new in a video each time I watch it and I've seen them all many times. I binge watch once a year. It's like being a fly on the wall in 80s NYC
I just stumbled into his videos half an hour ago. I'm a nostalgia whore. All these were were 4-5 years before I was born. They're really like time capsules.
@Invincible Beauty now this is what I call the real world! Today's reality shows are too polished and professional looking but this is authentic and raw with the bad lighting and shaky camera etc. So much better Invincible Beauty!
On find a grave, his headstone looks a little dirty maybe a fan or any visitor can buff it out a bit. For the hours of entertainment Nelson gives us we owe it to him.
I think people are discovering the videos more and more. Who cares, they're our hidden gems to enjoy anyway... so glad I found them and can enjoy them with all of you
@@5O4evr 'Cause it's like being in a time machine and he's the first REAL vlogger who didn't "create" fake content. It was more authentic. Plus his friends: Lady Bunny, Ru Paul, Sylia Miles, Pop Tarts, Larry Tee, Lahoma, Musto, Eric etc... a fascinating crew
The "congratulations" after Nelson saying he was 39 made me choke up a little. Not many people are lucky to make it that far, especially in rough times like the 80s. Amazing time capsules!
Oooo beware the ides of March, Eric will lose his temper as the camera swivels and arcs. To think that Nelson would have turned 70 back in March... Actually all these people are probably in their 60s now. Makes you realise how fleeting youth and life itself truly is. Anyways, another brilliant time capsule experience from Lord Nelson))
I know especially on his birthday 😔 poor nelson. ironically I dont remember seeing him in any other videos. I'm sure Eric felt really bad a year later when Nelson passed.
I love Eric and always like seeing him in the videos. I think you're not familiar with a lot of gay men. Eric is sweet and a good friend in a different way... dry sense of humor but invited more people so Nelson would have an even better birthday
The thing I enjoyed most about this video is how everyone is walking with their heads up an not looking down at their smart phone it’s a very humbling reminder of the age before the smart phone 📱
Jraybay many of us who remember feel disquieted at times by the social and technological changes..... I love my gadgets and I love the tech advancements and conveniences we have now... but we don’t engage with each other as we used to. I so enjoy reading comments like yours, from young people who weren’t born yet... who realize that there’s a little piece of humanity that is slipping away from us. We can all be so much more engaged with our gadgets that we are with each other. I’m glad that kids like you see this.
There is nothing like these videos. They are living history of the way people behaved, talked, and interacted with each other within the culture of downtown underground New York City 35 years ago. And the fact that the medium is video is itself part of their appeal. Video comes across as so much more "real" than even film. If you watch enough of these, you feel as if you are there with Nelson and that you know him and his friends.
As someone who was alive in the 80’s, I can honestly tell you it was a much simpler time. There was an authenticity to human interactions and a slower pace, even for NYC. People looked more “real” also - fewer tattoos, hairstyles weren’t as overly architected, and the bohemian class couldn’t care less about luxury brands. Take a look at Nelsons old hood now and it’s nothing but a playground for the ultra rich. Like someone else stated in the comments: humanity is slowly being stripped away from us, one technological advancement at a time.
To think Nelson's friends are all in their 70s atleast by now,wow. R.I.P. Nelson,ty for your genius vlogn before there was vlogn. P.s. I was 5yrs old here.
This must be one of the very rare channels i am subscribed to that even when there are no new uploads, I still keep returning to re watch...love it here
Same. They used to have uploads when I first subscribed but the account manager sadly passed away a while back. I doubt there'll be any more of these so hopefully he was able to upload them all before passing.
People today do not want interesting & unique -because they can never be. The world has more sheeple than ever before. The funny thing is New Yorkers are paying a higher price for less soul...but... money will do that to you.
Prisc Jenem I feel like every major city is becoming like the New York of now. Thanks to the corporations who lable the cities with there god awful logos all over the place and make everything boring /yuppy as hell. With that comes expensive living for not much, not unless of course, you are rich or have parent's who support your grown ass. MILLENNIAL GENERATION.
As someone who was alive in the 80’s, I can honestly tell you it was a much simpler time. There was an authenticity to human interactions and a slower pace, even for NYC. People looked more “real” also - fewer tattoos, hairstyles weren’t as overly architected, and the bohemian class couldn’t care less about luxury brands. Take a look at Nelsons old hood now and it’s nothing but a playground for the ultra rich. Like someone else stated in the comments: humanity is slowly being stripped away from us, one technological advancement at a time.
I cannot thank Nelson enough for leaving this time capsule for me to step back into whenever I feel like it. I hope he knows how wonderful we think he is even in this day and age. When I found his videos I went on a binge and watched every video more than once. I can't even count how many times I've seen these videos but they never get old, unlike me. He was a gentleman and a "gentle man" who was way ahead of his time. I often ask myself, how can you miss someone you never knew".
Always nice to see images from when I was a teenager of home. Although many of the people and places shown are no more, the pulse that is New York City shall forever remain. Proud New Yorker. Born and bred.
RIP to Dick! & thank you for uploading these amazing video & allowing Nelson’s legacy to live on. I’ve been obsessed with late 80s New York club scene since middle school. So finding these videos almost 20 years later has been AMAZING for me
I love these videos, they are true time capsules...I was 14 in Philadelphia, wishing I was older...so much was more exciting back then. I don't know who any of these people are...just wow. Interesting.
Eric's jacket looks like it might be from Big Jesus Trashcan that was very fashionable at the time. I had a Big Jesus Trashcan t shirt. He probably bought it in Kensington Market, London UK.
@@shannon4386 i remember. Do you remember cigarette vending machines? My father would always make me shove slugs from electronical boxes into those things so he could get his luckys
Is there any information on the history of the tapes and how they came to be saved and now uploaded here? Like most people I watched one video by chance and now I’m hooked, thanks for uploading🙂
Dick Richards, who was Nelson's friend (and they also lived together - you can see him in some of these videos) had the tapes after Nelson passed away. They are being released through another man, Robert Coddington. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-5GmTohpQ690.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-hBGRS7Ub5Zg.html
does anyone know what type of Camera Nelson shot on? His footage looked quite great, especially for the time. I know he also often used a fisheye lens.
I was 16 in 1987. Life felt so much happier and peaceful back then. This makes me so nostalgic. Glad to have experienced 9 years of the 70s and all of the 80s. The best two decades to be alive, IMHO.
@MeltonFamilyTX I can't attest to that, but it was in 98' I noticed something bad was happening, it all cheapened big-time, as in products, music, shows, it all finally became stale. Then the cookie cutter forever happenings in music, daytime programming, the moronic Reality Television struck, and bam, life was ruined from then on. So the first ones of us to invent a time machine, take Ozzy to this future, and scare him to death to finish that damn show that kicked off a long chain of events, culminating in Kim K. nonsense and Jersey Shore thottery came forefront. That was the death nettle for real programming, the second we didn't tell the world it sucks, it's all you get now. Fake "reality" shows, where nobody has morals. None? Not one? That's the lie it sold, that everyone is bad inside, amd now, it's believed. Sorry, but I see this, and I think they fucked us. No, scratch that, it's clear, as day, even if they blew up the sun it'd be clear as day, they fucked us.
For 30 years one of my best friends in LA would fly to NY just for the Gaiety. Stay at the Edison, see a Broadway show, tip the dancing boys, take one back to the hotel. Howard Johnson’s in the morning. Wash, rinse, repeat... Good times..
There is even more footage and videos we've not seen because unfortunately Dick died as well about 5 years ago and NYCU had the videos I think but I would love to see them.
Aesthetic Ambience back then, THAT was exactly feared. I was there in the 70's and 80's. crime was everywhere. But I loved the city as much as I do now
