Sunday Afternoon in Central Park in 1988

[@dennybenz5846]

Nelson saw beauty in everything. Such a beautiful soul.

[@jraybay]

Nelson good guy

[@rodicadoinabucur9031]

yes he was

[@HawkinaBox]

He's so calm

[@zzzboo290]

Albert was an asshole.

[@daisybluegroff]

@@zzzboo290 Albert is an asshole.

[@daveit2425]

To me Nelson is not dead I watch him here every day, hi Nelson

[@hugocorreagomez3649]

I always talk about him as he is, not as he was, each video is like a pleasant walk with a really good friend

[@paulcusentino4917]

Everyone's in a good mood. The drug users, the drug dealers. Haha, he was so great.

[@deezn5778]

i loved that line also lol

[@DennisAlexioAndyHug]

Wooooo

[@linusbodin1873]

I dont think the drug users and the drug dealers were in good mood

[@courtneyevrrlyn9644]

Hysterical 😆

[@ColdSid]

@@linusbodin1873 according to Nelson they were

[@madtingz2288]

It really feels like he’s vlogging for youtube

[@johnsorto6737]

He was ahead of his time.. I often think is talking to us..

[@JB-zo7ln]

Just imagine YT and the Internet existed in 1987. This is precisely what it would be like. Well, then again, who knows? Nelson was so far ahead of his time.

[@magamaga1827]

What a time to be alive in NYC. Glad I was there, even just as a teenager at the time in 1988. The one thing the video can't convey is the wonderful, crisp but not freezing cold air and how it feels on an April day in NYC as we transition out of ice cold Winter into the Spring. It's still cold enough to wear a jacket yet you feel the warm weather isn't far off. Nothing could beat it.

[@aveuch]

9:12 I typically look for shade of bring my own. But her comment encapsulates yours.

[@goldcanyon340.]

truer words were never spoken.

[@samanthaferrari5948]

This is one of my favourites so far, Nelson captured the spirit of the day beautifully. I feel homesick for a place I've never lived.

[@sheilayoung6590]

Samantha Ferrari same here samantha

[@treyoleson6140]

i feel nostalgic watching this

[@TheIndependentLens]

@Eric Gregory I saw a recent video where someone went to his house and yes, it has changed. I'm sure to live in Nelson's old place costs some money these days.

[@ZnenTitan]

@@TheIndependentLens I saw a video recently, it's an art gallery now.

[@sassysucculent6291]

Same. Take me there

[@dennybenz5846]

Nelson was so generous letting Rupaul and friends stay in his apartment .. so generous. Good soul ... lots is owed to this wonderful person

[@mrmikeyd2]

Nelson was used by a bunch of greedy selfish leeches who were still picking his bones even after he died.....Ru Paul, Lady Bunny and Lahoma had to be evicted from 5 9th after Nelson died....I heard a podcast with Michele Vissage where the lying POS Ru had the nerve to say they paid rent.....it is public record

[@gra-emed3617]

mrmikeyd that’s really sad to hear :(

[@maryclark5329]

Oh man that's f'd up!

[@verynice126]

@@mrmikeyd2 you don't think they were his real friends?

[@LisaMarie-xp4ym]

@@mrmikeyd2 oh no! That is sad!

[@woohoo2097]

The more I watch the more I believe in the most respectful way, that he was/is a time traveller. His personality, his face, it's so timeless. He looks like someone everyone has known some time in their life. When I watch Nelson I don't see a guy in the 80's, it's weird. He really has this look and way about him like he's been here before and that he'll be back or he'll always be here even. I've heard of someone being an "old soul" and that's Nelson but there's something more to it, something deeper that I can't put my finger on.

[@sheilabroad8192]

He is how we want the world to be 💕

[@dv640]

Nelson’s videos are probably as close to time travel as i’ll ever get in this life. I also believe he is/was a time traveler. Who else would Vlog for people in 2020 30+ years ago????

[@LisaMarie-xp4ym]

@@dv640 amazing foresight!!

[@KusherK_]

When i first found nelson i also recognised him but could never think from where

[@drinkingpoolwater]

i feel teh same. nelson was a true original. as sad as his story is, he has outlived most of his peers and even become a legend in his own right. he was just as special as any great artist.

[@javierUN]

There is an addictive quality to his videos...it's the anachronistic vibe you get, and the "ahead of his time" quality in which he handled himself. RIP Nelson

[@ZnenTitan]

Spot on description.

[@davidmorales8644]

I was 18 in 1988 thanks for taking me back , the 80's was the best

[@bilebily294]

Yes,carefree and not so complicated like today

[@lorraine7917]

Ran across these videos by chance and fell in love with Nelson..he is the quintessential New Yorker and he is truth and love! SIP

[@commentcopbadge6665]

He's actually a southerner. Didn't get to NY until his mid 20's but when he did, Nelson took to it like a duck to water.

[@HawkinaBox]

same!

[@SaintMartins]

Little did he know, in 2019, Nelson has made it possible for us to "Time Travel" back to 1988 !

[@aparnell1513]

back in the day when you had to make plans days in advance and couldn't text too see where people were at

[@mikekaraoke]

You could they were called pagers, But you had to call the operator first to tell them what the message was to send to the other pager classic- How could you forget the pagers come on :-]

[@EveryTongueShallTell]

Some comedian does this stand-up routine about how before mobile phones, if someone knocked on your front door everybody got excited wondering who it is and the whole family would run to the door to see who it was. Today, if someone knocks, everybody gets suspicious thinking, who on Earth could that be? How the times have changed so quickly. These days, people will ring you to let you know when they are coming over to your house, ring you when they are making their way over to yours and then ring you to let you know that they are outside your house. Sometimes, it feels like, how did people ever keep in touch before mobile phones.

[@video409]

mikey p or the person you're gonna hang out with calls you from a pay phone and tells you to meet up at this spot in 15 mins

[@mikekaraoke]

video409 Or that as well :-)

[@Italianoboy1gmail]

Easy we just did it that's all!!!🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹🐘🐼🐬🐳🐕🐅🐻🐄🐖

[@elviajero007]

I think what makes these videos so fascinating is the way Nelson stares into the camera. I'm not sure why he does that but it really brings the viewer into the scene.

[@bippy201]

Hugh Simon I believe he’s looking at his reflection so that he keeps the frame lined up right. He mentioned it in a video where he was going to another state to visit his Aunt.

[@thesundog8833]

That's exactly right, he used the reflection of the lens so he was watching what was happening beside him in the frame.

[@crossfire1453]

His narration of every detail, mundane and relevant are what make this interesting.

[@TheAlexdepanam]

what a visionary and pioneer in so many ways Nelson knew he lived in interesting times, and he worked hard to capture more than a video freak-show, Sullivan himself died from a heart attack on July 4, 1989, just three days after quitting his full-time job so that he could produce his own cable television show of his footage.

[@Jk42020]

You literally copy and pasted that from Wikipedia

[@OneWayMoney]

Jan Koper So the fuck what its information! What are you the internet police ?

[@annother3350]

Someone does say that on each of his vids

[@chip7796]

Someone didn't want him to film. That's seems suspicious.

[@jonathanlawson4667]

I'd say he died from aids considering it was rampant in the gay community during the eighties and you can clearly watch his health decline in these videos

[@TheColeTruth]

So strange knowing I've stood the same places they've been like the angel fountain for instance... So many people and stories and life has come before us...Wouldn't know otherwise without these videos.

[@obscure6124]

I think about that a lot. A billion stories that we'll never know. Lost in time forever.

[@Hallahanify]

8 million stories half of us won't make it

[@cgvapors963]

The idea to use a fisheye lens back in the 80s was absolutely unheard of, but totally genius. It captures so much more of the big picture. There were people making video journals in the late 80s, but not everyday and this in depth. It wouldn't be until the mid 90s that fisheye lenses were much more common. So he was probably 10 years ahead of the curve here.

[@mikekaraoke]

The 80's rocked

[@JudyGurl]

So, did anyone else have the same thought I did? "That baby is now almost 30 yrs old" :P

[@TheNatatronic]

Yes and has no idea she’s in a video on youtube!

[@heathercombs8170]

I haven't seen the baby yet I just started the video, and am reading the comments as the video plays.

[@heathercombs8170]

@rock2418 so this December you are turning 31 then? Girl that is not old. I am 27 almost 30.

[@DennisAlexioAndyHug]

I'm that baby

[@alexkastano96]

JudyGurl every time if there is a baby in Nelsons videos ,this comment pops out ,that and one about Nelsons death in 89....

[@ricke7220]

Id do anything to spend a day in the city in 1988

[@heathercombs8170]

Yes!! Same here!!

[@colelocke4967]

Whenever the question pops up "If you could have dinner with any three people, living or dead, who would they be?" Nelson is always at the top of my list.

[@myownpath1046]

He seems like someone that I would want to be friends with

[@melissaonorati2243]

Your own path? If you follow your own path it will lead to destruction meaning after you die without Jesus Christ in your heart, your souk is in danger of a horrible place called Hell where Jesus says in his word in the new testament "there is whaling and gnashing of teeth" Repent of your sins and follow the path that will lead you to everlasting life who is Jesus Christ the son of the living God. I was sinning so much and Jesus found me and saved me; do you want to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour?

[@denisediaz6218]

@@melissaonorati2243 wtf lol left field

[@emanuel5944]

Melissa Onorati wait what?

[@tristannolan8684]

It’s cool we’re going to fish for whales in heaven. What are we, giants?

[@erikadowdy686]

Hes so handsome and always dressed to the nines except when he’s at / inside his house.

[@Countdownlouisville]

1988, one of my favorite years, made better by this gem.

[@greg7656]

"He knows because he's made a study of such things." I love that phrase

[@scruffmcruff7986]

I wish I could crawl through my phone and hang out back when the world was so diferent

[@blahblah1438]

Scruff McRuff I was 19 in this time and I remember it well

[@sassysucculent6291]

I was born in 92. I feel the same. I long for a time that was normal. These videos make me happy and sad at the same time

[@danielkrome6640]

I'm from 1980...I miss those days.

[@lisawalker91]

I was around 20 in 89,yes it was different, of course it was.no internet, no cellphones, people interacting....but it was also a scary time, heavy drug use ,aids.

[@dianv2218]

@@sassysucculent6291 - When indulging in memorable (past) events, nostalgia always sets in. Reminiscing can be so enjoyable, and yet so sad, so sorrowful..

[@getzata96]

did u see how to they met without texting or callin each other?

[@TheIndependentLens]

Amazing how we did that back then, isn't it?

[@harrymonk6]

No?

[@normal2954]

I miss those days.

[@zedman442]

Papi Blanco you know you could memorize dozens of phone numbers too. Now I can barely remember one!

[@Mylo12321]

Zed Man Ha! I had forgotten about memorizing all the numbers.

[@katevielle4263]

People should make a full on film about Nelson, if done in the right way, it could be quite magical I think.

[@allyherrmann2355]

I read this in his voice

[@thesundog8833]

Unfortunately it would be counterintuitive to the very essence of his work. He mentioned before the entire point was the stream-of-conscious style of film, and that if someone came along and cut out the 'boring parts', it would ruin the image he was trying to capture.

[@pethybridge]

Nelson Sullivan.....You were ahead of your time, great eighties video :)

[@titaina]

This is my absolute favorite video of Nelson’s. Exactly how I would want to spend a beautiful Sunday 🌞

[@berjaboy]

I remember NYC back then, completely different city. But by the end of the 80s and early 90s it was beginning to change. Nelson Sullivan was a pioneer, and way ahead of his time. May he Rest in Peace....

[@dmag1234]

Camera work at 6:12 when Eric Clapton begins to play. No phones, friends talking and smiling in the sunshine. Its beautiful; how life was meant to be.

[@astoll2966]

guy getting in cab at 2:54 looks so much like DeNiro....

[@macadonis9242]

Did u see how they both paused and connected eyes for few seconds. It really looks like Robert dinero.

[@guydreamr]

Probably was, this is New York baby.

[@clutchnz4417]

Nelson is pretty much my therapist. Everything he says and how he says has impacted me

i fucking love you Nelson Sullivan

[@jmb1666]

I remember the city so well in those days. The rickety cab rides, hitting potholes, the smell of pretzels cooking on the food carts....and I remember actually talking to people instead of looking at my phone. Those were truly the best times to live in...80's!

[@_Just_Another_Guy]

Crazy to think that baby at the end is in their early 30's now, probably with their own kid and family. Time flies.

[@DaveMcGarry]

He would have been 70 this year. Great video of Central Park at the end of the 80s

[@arunkd5218]

I appreciate him because he recorded all videos giving lot of information about streets.. Like he already knows that future generation is going to watch his videos... Perfect vlog of that time without editing anything..

[@hals9058]

Watching these gives me the same feeling as watching mr rogers neighborhood as a kid. I love his voice so much

[@ZnenTitan]

Or maybe a bit of Mr Robinson's neighborhood?

[@55chh]

I might have been biking in the park that day...I hardly missed any nice sunny Sundays.

[@heathercombs8170]

In the 80s you mean? So you've been to that park in the 80s?

[@gagirl9824]

Nelson has a beautiful soul n spirit. He lives on each time we watch his work. Every video he is soooo happy!!

[@HIKECAMPFISH-cq7hg]

I can't believe how far ahead of his time he was .

[@drhyshek]

He said “Everybody’s staring at Albert’s big earrings, it’s so embarrassing.” Yet, I didn’t even notice them until he said that. Lol

[@OzanK494]

hello, I want to express my feelings here. I am a Turk and I met Nelson Sullivan, the owner of these videos, on KZbin 4 years ago. although he doesn't know me, he must feel in his grave that I admire him. I watch all of his videos and I spend most of my time on KZbin with his videos. I understand that you may be surprised and find crazy about what I said, but it makes me feel good. As someone who loves nostalgia, I can say that I am not an American, but I remembered that I am a human being at a time when technology has developed so much. What we feel, our feelings, our love and longing have no language, religion or race. I enjoy watching his videos, it's like I'm on a life journey with him, I love you my friend. RIP🙏

[@laurajuranek4415]

I love hearing him talk...

[@heathercombs8170]

I do too!!!! ❤❤

[@royaljatti]

It amazes me that its so empty and its NYC. I don't think i will ever see this in my lifetime.

[@evilakuma4694]

royaljatti it was so bad in nyc at the time people probably was scare

[@elia.8993]

Evil Akuma it was guetto and still is but some areas are worse than others.

[@chrisaylett1059]

All the 2000 kids weren't born yet that's why

[@allieboy181]

Sephardic Ladino it’s because it wasn’t really a touristy area yet. It was a just city. Now it’s infested

[@cmateos96]

"Covid-19 has entered the chat"

[@Taricus]

3:48 "I went to the store and bought chicken and stuff... I spent like... ELEVEN DOLLARS!" Now in 2018, "Do you have a couple dollars? I'm going to store to buy some chicken and I only have eleven dollars..." XD

[@Ericasentertainments]

Jimmy Amato exactly!!!

[@HawkinaBox]

so true

[@chetjablonski1993]

Just saw this one for the first time. Really good!

[@courtneylangford1751]

I always wanted to go to NY in the 80's. Thank you Nelson for making that happen.

[@caraorourke3339]

Although I'm not gay I do love his personality and have binge watched all his videos he had a fantastic approach to life and was way ahead of his time

[@guydreamr]

His videos are indeed wonderful, and who cares who you happen to be attracted to lol.

[@williambyron772]

"Liz wants to listen to the music for a minute."(someone plays Eric Clapton)"Minute's up!!"

[@wandagetz966]

I can't find any info on Liz

[@heartstruth6875]

Hilarious!

[@wandagetz966]

Thank you!!!! I wish I could find more people talking about Nelson, he was a visionary

[@dy1497]

@@wandagetz966 She is alive living in MEXICO from what I've read elsewhere! Still looks great . mid 60's I would assume

[@LisaMarie-xp4ym]

Haha, I know, so funny of him!!

[@bilebily294]

Nelson surely loved beautiful days

[@Jamiem14]

i like to think Nelson is still walking in Central park in this exact time in some parallel universe, with his friends, just bringing us along for the ride.

[@epipd5712]

Nelson has the coolest friends. I like the two that are with him on this video so much. What a great video. thanks Nelson

[@lacy.knickers146]

I wish I could've been in the East Village back then and knew Nelson. Since watching all these videos I've grown to love him.

[@keithsnider1958]

Me too❤️

[@alleycat7115]

We miss you Nelson

[@marquese1960]

I like Nelson a lot, I like his content and the sheer quantity and quality of his vids are extraordinary. For me Nelson is still very much alive and well!!!

[@friendlier]

Also, Albert was always such an intriguing dresser. I love the huge hoop earrings and the kind of winched belt and buckle.

[@sheilayoung6590]

He would've loved living in Paris!!! Oh how I wish he could've experienced it for a time.

[@miketate8554]

Sheila Young he really wouldve

[@Skaterbun]

seems so peacefully quiet outside his home

[@limericklad2000]

"And spent like $11", oh how times change.

[@johnjohn-iq1bc]

1988 was a good year

[@patterson4763]

He loved life soooo much. He was hysterically funny in this video talking about the earrings!!! Lol

[@lendalee2451]

Omg he is so gentle and loving g to animals the planet and people Nelson ur one of a kind u left us so young it breaks my heart thinking about it I wish they had been able to help u but it was still so new to the world and u and Freddy Mercury went to heaven to soon both of u were such gentle loving humans !REST IN HEAVEN SWEET BIRD UR KIGHT WAS MOST BEAUTIFUL!

[@sherrig.7870]

Aww man he was awesome!!! His videos are the greatest thing to happen to KZbin. 🙏🏼

[@brucewebb1114]

I love Nelson. Such a beautiful day. I wonder what I was doing this day in 1988. I worked at Albertsons and had a paper route in Shreveport Louisiana. I love these videos.

[@peterk202]

Can’t believe RuPaul lives with Nelson. That is so awesome 🥰

[@NinaCyra]

Wow. This is the one, the most beautiful. xo Nelson

[@ZMAN_420]

80s Vlogger! 👍🏻🇺🇲

[@notsoseriousmoonlight]

Love this! It's a simply incredible time capsule, and what a beautiful day it was!! :)

[@marisolroman9344]

I love him

[@jameslaumand3686]

The legend of the classics

[@dudemanbro2714]

I’m so glad I discovered these! What a gem

[@cndluluv]

“minute’s up...” so deadpan

[@melindaduncan3073]

I love watching these videos. He was such a polite man!

[@Groovingforwardatx]

"Nelson I dunno if I have enough food for you"....😐 I lost it. 😂

[@hummingpoeeful]

Nelson needs a shrine 💖

[@jennytaylor4165]

This might interest you, Danielle. And I agree!: facebook.com/NelsonSullivanNYC/

[@Natemire]

All these videos of his being on KZbin sort of is making him a shrine. We can all see his work any time we want now. I dont know much about him, or why his videos started popping up in my feed, but gosh what an interesting man. And way ahead of his time media wise. So glad I get to see these

[@rubensdelrey3894]

Nelson is so special in all of the videos... whatever you are I love you!!

[@marthaleyva9585]

I grew up on the 80's and wanted to go NYC after high school. Love to see what I missed a city with so much character

[@rubydawn1]

I love Nelson he reminds me of my friend Paul always had something to do and the simples thing could be so much fun with him

[@TexasNewsOwL]

He was a master with the camera. He should been makeing major films. But this is better anyway.

[@jaketv3307]

NightOwL News&Videos. He’s dead so he can’t

[@hallomeinnameistdennis1729]

OMG !!!!!! OMG !!!!!!! Vlogs in the 80s !!!!! 😍

[@klee_of_c8082]

“Admirable Nelson!” He was such a stitch, our Nelson Sullivan!

[@bazoggy]

Was that Robert De Niro getting in the cab at 2:54 ?

[@inlovewithi]

April 23, 1988 was a Saturday.

[@Serbian1985]

inlovewithi 2 weeks before my 3rd birthday. Crazy

[@deliberocognitio7578]

Brilliant. Genius. Bravo!

[@Dangerman5]

i binge watched a lot of his videos a few years ago...just watched one again the other day and got back into it. It's the obvious remark to make but it's still so remarkable he did all these video vlogs at a time when almost nobody was going to see it....we are so lucky he had the motivation...

[@fordxbgtfalcon]

That little baby is 35 years old now. 👀

[@severnforward808]

Just stumbled upon this person's videos. I don't know why but I thought he looked like Adam Wingard (Director, Producer, Writer, Actor), in his other video which was him and Dick going to buy a burger and at McDonalds. This dude was a simply fantastic human being. He is kind-hearted to others and takes pride of what he stands for. Rest in Peace Nelson!

[@heathercombs8170]

That's the first video I seen of Nelson too. The McDonald's video.

[@commentcopbadge6665]

FYI..... His friend in that video(Stopping at McDonald's in 1985) is the one running this channel and uploading these vids. Dick Richards.

[@bellelise.]

"...and he knows because he's made a study of such things.". Ahhh, I love it so!. Thank-you.

[@deezn5778]

Liz wants to listen to the music for a minute, minutes up , lol classic RIP Nelson i miss the 80s they were the best...

[@dantravels9269]

His friends are such new yorkers! Real new Yorkers don't exist anymore. Its full of hipsters now. I miss pre guilianni NY!

[@margitouma6172]

Dan Travels Giuliani changed EVERYTHING.

[@EM-ii5gv]

How was a real New Yorker?🥺

[@dantravels9269]

@@EM-ii5gv You had to be there.

[@QueensNYgirlie1988]

Lol everyone sucks here 🤣

[@damarise8995]

I’m a real New Yorker. Born in 1976, still Living here!

[@joaquimfilhofotografia934]

Nice vibe this video brought me! I’ve been in NYC just once, and it’s wonderful to see Central Park and other places back in that day! In 88 I was a 9-year-old boy, wondering how big my school was! Couldn't imagine the world and somehow, this video has become our time travel!

[@Ariel692769]

Lol. Nelson's face when Albert said he didn't have enough food for him. Even after he said he's kidding.

[@whatadamnusername]

There's something about the fish eye lens that really helps capture the time period.

[@_Wat3rr_]

ThaSchwab yea agreed

[@sourdeezlemaryjane9162]

He is a precious soul!!

[@technics291]

video can be so provocative. I know it is only light that is captured But you have the impression that everyone on the planet is captured as well. Every loved one is somewhere there. You can crawl inside and try to find them. Even those who have passed...

[@focusedfreebird]

he clog before KZbin even existed...where did he think all these films would end up??? these are valuable time capsules of another era.....who put them up on KZbin? thanks whoever did it

[@lakikentaki]

Blue Bird he wanted to use them for his own TV show. Didn't record them without a reason

[@commentcopbadge6665]

This channel is ran by his childhood friend, Dick Richards. He's in a few of these videos. Dick immediately secured all the tapes after Nelson passed as per his request.