Nelson Takes his Mother to the Top of the World Trade Center in 1986

[@hugznotdrugs2]

His aunt was glam AF

[@SusieSynth]

Mr 850 she sure was

[@alison2649]

Mr 850 yes! I kept admiring her ☺️☺️

[@mmoran3]

She's Blanche from Golden girls!! 😁yes sister work it!!!

[@thezeddhotel]

Mr 850 like she was fabulous! Her outfit is bangin!

[@mmoran3]

@Twisted Anarchy As with most Southern (Old money)! Much the Southern Belle she was!

[@MisterMuffin_]

R.I.P Nelson, Nelsons Mom, Aunt Doris and the Twin Towers.

[@robin5380]

surreal

[@Evan2Tasty]

@Dionizio Ferrari yes sadly he had a heart attack in 1989 and passed away : (

[@Jennifer-cx4wq]

His mom and aunt died?

[@edgargarcia7003]

@@Jennifer-cx4wq It is very likely that, due to their age

[@nordicpawsproductions465]

@@Jennifer-cx4wq depends on how old there were. they look like they were around 70 and like their health was starting to diminish some. by 2020, I doubt it.

[@Julesreynoso]

Notice how he never pans the camera on himself. This moment was special to him. He truly wanted his mom and aunt to be the stars of the show. It was about them, not him for once, How sweet & beautiful.

[@Tony_Baloney_69420]

If only people are like him nowadays.

[@JohnS-il1dr]

@@Tony_Baloney_69420 true. I wish nelson was here now

[@giggles7179]

My mind is useless the first two hours of the day; I literally asked myself "Where's Nelson?" the first full minute of this video.

[@jamesfreud1]

Its sad to think that everything you just saw is long gone. How quickly time flies. Nothing but memories left.

[@KaLaENT0711]

Dimension7 wtf?? Not everyone!! There were kids and people in their 30’s in this video

[@ambermcjack8406]

And the sphere still remains : although damaged not destroyed :)

[@Hallahanify]

@@ambermcjack8406 what is it called?

[@ambermcjack8406]

Powerful I think it’s just called “the sphere” . It stands today in liberty park overlooking the site

[@WorldTradeCenterMuzakCommunity]

The Koenig Sphere :)

[@RoonJazz]

So very, very important for the future to have precious recordings like this. xx

[@dasistliana5151]

Ruth-Elizabeth Page Yes thank you Nelson 💓

[@welcometotheinternet4215]

The future is now

[@melmak4108]

This is so wonderful to watch this man who was ahead of his time. If only Nelson new how much people are enjoying his videos. He did everyone a great service to capture them forever even though he probably got no appreciation for it back then. I wish you werw here Nelson. Such style and grace. The narcissistic so called influences of today could sure learn a thing or two from you wherever you may be

[@DANNY10MADRID]

ALONG WITH THE 90S, BECAUSE 9/11 WAS THE END OF THE 90S, AND THE REAL START OF THE 20TH CENTURY. THE WORLD WAS CHANGING, SOCIETY FOR EXAMPLE, AND LIFE THEN WAS SO MUCH SIMPLER, AND FUNNER, WITH SO MUCH BETTER TO PICK FROM AND ENJOY FROM A RANGE OF THINGS LIKE TV, MUSIC, ETC.

[@MM-yd7cx]

How can I miss something I've never had

[@Accelerate55]

Because it was a loss to the world.

[@headiero]

Wish you could have. It was amazing.

[@AtheistMorax]

Damn, the best comment ever...

[@aldofhister6859]

You're not even American so FUCK You

[@urischic1668]

Leo Plotter Where’d you get that conclusion?

[@ssarryo]

A couple of Southern Belles visiting the Yankee North.

[@randycox3232]

😁

[@DJD-Steele]

@Reddle Fuck off!

[@makaveli7360]

Apex Gemini I do lmao born and raised Brooklyn 💙

[@EchoRider515]

@Steve G 👏👏😂

[@willtrimble9413]

Lmao way to make it sound perverted

[@theweakestlink2278]

This dude was so ahead of his time with these vids. He captured so much of the culture that was New York in the late 80's. This particular one is a real gem considering what took place on 9-11.

[@liberalbias4462]

What happened on 9-11

[@SnepperStepTV]

@@liberalbias4462 I think a nickel back album came out or something

[@Victoria3232-j7o]

You mean February 26th 1993 World Trade Center Bombings

[@TS-qq7vr]

Anyone else think Nelson would've gotten the most poignant footage of September 11? The man was a truly gifted documentarian and lover of all people.

[@eppsislike]

Check the Naudet brother's footage. It's very similar.

[@raymondsolisjr.1262]

I'm glad he didn't witness that, I'm sure it would have broken his spirit.

[@OrangeYTT]

@@eppsislike Naudet's is some of the most important footage from that day, glad the full tape leaked recently

[@Gameboy-Unboxings]

@@OrangeYTT link?

[@chrise438]

Who is this "Nelson"....no one has answered that question?!

[@robertaglass]

Who knew I would become a big fan of Nelson's mother?

[@obsoletecarnavoyeur]

robertaglass if you’re talking about the woman in the yellow. That’s his aunt lol. And she is super lovely too.

[@ddl4374]

Shes so lovely!... the most pleasant SMILE...and so very ladylike... just so gentle & comfy..what a doll !

[@HeyJoeHaze]

Their accents and the way they hold themselves is amazing. I love it.

[@baileybran]

Looking through the WTC windows in the video, I couldn't help but think that's what the 911 people were seeing as they looked down, waiting for help :/

[@hithere4484]

They are angels now

[@anthonyl.9059]

FitTallGayBlond There were no people on roof during 9/11.

[@fezziwig184]

@@anthonyl.9059 yeah apparently some people tried to get to the roof but the doors were locked.

[@princesspink0816]

baileybran Thats what I was thinking too.

[@rome316ae3]

Even some people jumped out of building zto escape

[@CarissaConti]

So trippy. 1986 was the same year I visited the WTC's, on our 6th grade class field trip to NYC. Went to the top floor observation level, then on to the roof. And it looked the same, with that smoggy, almost greenish tinged sky. Didn't have a nifty video camera back then though, just my simple camera to take pics, so it's neat to see an actual video of the same thing I experienced in the same year, no less.

[@Yaboringme]

Carissa Conti we also went to the world trade centers for our 6th grade trip. What area are you from ? I’m from right outside Philadelphia

[@peteocean2848]

Wow

[@lopezbiglos]

Carissa Conti looking back now that I’m older, I wish I would came up with the same idea of filming to document the times.

[@harrymonk6]

Thats gay as fuck mate

[@starmoon1590]

went to WTC with school in...1977....wonder if every school did this....

[@emmaw8763]

Aunt Doris reminds me of Blanche Deveraux

[@garbage854]

I can see that :)

[@luciverdad4834]

I was just going to write that before I saw your comment!

[@mmoran3]

I just responded that to another comment and saw yours😂😂😂 Yes southern belle Blanche!!

[@andrewdaley3081]

Your so right she used to even wear yellow a lot. Andy England

[@patriciafaircloth6717]

She sure does

[@The_A_Cast]

I love how she pronounces Time Square like “Time Skwayuhh”

[@ColdSid]

And she pronounced “Staten island” “Stat Nylan” 🤣 love it

[@maritzacardona8540]

I hope his momma had a chance to see all his videos before she passed on. So sad son died..

[@imadeyoureadthis1500]

Maritza Cardona She died on the 29th of June 2012 at the age of 97, R.I.P

[@NickyD]

@@sg-yq8pm wow she lived a long long time wonder what she was thinking on 9/11

[@floursandroses]

@@sg-yq8pm These trolls come to beautiful, heartwarming videos just to leave rude comments to piss people off, just because they are bored with their lives. His mother lived a long, wonderful life. To be 97 and to have had these moments with her son she could always watch is a blessing. It is a shame what happened to Nelson, but she must have been proud of him.

[@jasonallen703]

@@floursandroses what happened to Nelson

[@huntercopeland9371]

Heart attack in 1989.

[@sergpie]

These southern belles are stylin! Look at homegirl with the Cazal's! I love seeing these fleeting glimpses of a far away time. Thanks for uploading.

[@jeffreyd508]

Yes, they probably commanded a lot of pipe back in the 1920s in New York

[@howardjones6432]

Gazelles.🤓😎

[@user-fw8rd5ud4q]

Imagine stumbling across this video and seeing yourself in it.

[@xBloodXGusherx]

What part of the video are you in lol?

[@seguelquispe932]

The twin towers gone Nelson gone Nelson's mother gone Nelson's aunt gone My god the time goes so fast!!!!!

[@edgar1884]

Most of the friends that he had became famous and most of then are gone also like micheal alig

[@discardmyfriends]

@@edgar1884 wtf, I didn't know Michael Alig died

[@alexhippie2]

I love how the ladies call the cars “automobiles” around the 4 minute mark

[@guydreamr]

That's what you call Southern gentility.

[@LouisYazzie-yv2nd]

I noticed that 🚗

[@nasdaqua]

I worked at 2 WTC from '75-'85 and was also witness to it's collapse 16 yrs hence. This great video captures a bygone era and stirs fond memories of things past...Nelson Sullivan was ahead of his time as a video blogger.. Love and peace to all.

[@omomeidontaya3143]

Wow. You must be quite old today. Love and light.

[@AngelGroves]

This is heart warming, as well as heart breaking. I'm so thankful for Nelson capturing amazing shots of history.

[@acomment5991]

A glimpse of an experience that will never happen again. Thank you Nelson.

[@jessicamaclean5767]

One of my favourite filmmakers. So SO ahead of his time. He's like the OG influencer.

[@OriginalOWL]

I'm working my way through all of Nelson's videos and this is my favorite yet. You just can't see this anywhere else. Thank you so much, Nelson. You were so far ahead of your time, and gone far too soon!

[@krapart]

eerie foreboding shot at 6:39. nelson seems to have a way of predicting the future with his camera.

[@paulym9969]

Donald Trumps Helicopter ?

[@harrymonk6]

Mate get a fucking life pffft

[@oDM0o]

@@paulym9969 , lmfaoo

[@DingoXBX]

he literally just filmed a helicopter

[@andrewparke1764]

This was recorded three years before I was born, and yet it feels more normal and comfortable to me than does 2017.

[@Jennifer-cz2if]

I know exactly what you mean, this was filmed a year or so before I was born but somehow I miss it! I miss a time I was barely even born in, somehow it just feels better than today and as many others have commented on these videos you can see no one is on a mobile phone or busy texting, everyone was talking to each other. It was a simpler time! I happened to just stumble upon these videos last week as they popped up in my recommended and now I can't stop watching! It should be a series on Netflix "Snapshots: NYC in the 80's".

[@andrewparke1764]

For me, it's not even a matter of 'better' or 'worse', but just more comfortable and familiar. It makes me feel like 'ah, I'm finally home and back to normal'.

[@hellobye7697]

Nero Machiavelli what has that got to do with anything

[@brianmayishot9260]

I was born in 2001, and same.

[@urischic1668]

Brian May is Hot I completely agree with this username.

[@tadhgcomhaltas]

Absolutely brilliant... Just captured the era, I just escaped my life whilst watching it

[@gmfd76]

I visited the WTC twice in '89--once during the day and once at night. The view from the rooftop was breathtaking, particularly at night. I wasn't thrilled with those recessed window seats--they were truly vertigo inducing. It's painful for me to look at videos like these; remembering a wonderful place & time that can never be recaptured and the subsequent tragedy :(

[@sammyUknow]

gmfd76 sooooo lucky,I never got to😭 since I was little I wanted to,amazing to anyone who got to witness them

[@tony--james]

@ approx 6:20 in this clip, as he rotates with cam, you can start hearing the camera picking up noise/RF interference from the powerful rooftop antenna ,this entire video is amazing..

[@nadiaamir5422]

How peaceful life was that time ....no mobiles nothing ...life was simple and you enjoyed it.

[@lilyn9646]

This is time traveling! Every vlog Nelson captured is time travel. But this one hit me! I can see where Nelson learned his grace and poise. Let us all learn 💚

[@FRANCISCOANZALDO1978]

R.i.p. Nelson Sullivan. (Died in 1989)

[@crashtonian]

...naturally the subway escalators weren't working. lol!!

[@ColdSid]

30 + years later and it’s still an annoying problem LOL

[@ddiruscio01]

AUNT DORIS IS A WHOLEEE MOOD✨✨

[@HelenTudor-Douglas]

I remember when the World Trade Center was built & everyone complained how "ugly" the 2 rectangular buildings were. My cousin worked inside the top of one of them & said they swayed so much, things on your desktop would shift around during your time away at lunch...pencils & pens always fell to the floor from all the swaying. After 2001, I looked at the "new" NY skyline without the Twin Towers & was shocked at how my mind remembered the mid 1960's skyline without them. SO odd that the skyline looked like the mid 1960's all over again. Nelson, his Mom & Aunt, and even the Twin Towers are now gone. And, sadly, my (1986) 32 year marriage just ended this year, per husband abandoning our family for his aged 70 year old secretary. I will never understand Men who behave like that, as if turning 60 is so traumatic you lose your mind & run away from your happy home. For me, like Nelson, seems everything about 1986 is now gone...like everything has an expiration date looming & expires when you least expect it.

[@yolososmile8604]

I'm so sorry your going through this....... I have gone through it too. You can use this time to find out what you like and screw him lol best of luck to you...........

[@SumeyyaOcalHeyBigSpenderr]

Now this made me sad, I'm sorry you're being trialed this way, hope things get better x

[@xxxx-iu4kd]

I’m sorry to hear you’re going through a difficult time. Perhaps think that happy moments can be found when you least expect them, like in Nelson’s videos.

[@AndrewTubbiolo]

I'm so sorry you had to lose a lifetime like that. I hope you are able to put it into some sort of perspective and move on in spite of the loss.

[@tifneycarman8191]

Helen Tudor-Douglas Everything is temporary.

[@andyagf6870]

Totally scared of heights and always wanted to know what the 'twin towers' looked like from inside. Great video, really enjoyed veiwing it.

[@hectorlopez1069]

I'm scared of heights too. I feel sad for the people who had to jump from that height to avoid getting burned to death.

[@JLBREMER]

Just wanted to pause the video and say I was born in 1984. Wow this footage is amazing. Sometimes we don't know why we record things but we need to for the future. Thank you Nelson Sullivan.

[@Bobby8451]

Oh heck no!!! Can u imagine jumping from there like they did at 9/11?!! Holy.......

[@Glass_Caskets]

Bobby8451 those people made the right choice. Burning to death is one of the most excruciating ways to die. The lucky ones died from smoke inhalation that day. Either fate is a horrible prospect

[@delcroix]

cluesforum and fakeologist

[@Glass_Caskets]

delcroix you’re a moron.

[@fcukugimmeausername]

It would have been like... SPLAAAAAT.

[@EthiopianMathematics]

I wonder how many people jumped off the World Trade Center before 9-11

[@GabrielaGarcia-iz2zb]

This is really interesting. The shots feel really symbolic (although I know Nelson would've never imagined what would happen about 15 years later), the helicopter, the shot of his mother looking out into the distance, the fountain being the focal point at the end. I was born a year after the attack so I'll never know how the original buildings were but this just gives me a sense of how wonderful the views were

[@qkings_Roblox]

And nelson passed 3 years fater this video were recorded

[@davidmalone2580]

Nelson was beyond his time when he filming this , this is literally KZbin gold

[@raymondsolisjr.1262]

Mrs. Sullivan you raised a very beautiful, awesome, son. Thank you for bringing him into the world

[@Forgoneconclusion.]

I tear up with any footage of the WTC, I really miss that building!

[@Lovely_1One]

I was either 2 or 3 depending on what month this was filmed! I always wished there was some video footage of me as a baby. This is captivating! His mother and aunt had so much pizazz and class and I can see where nelson got his confidence and class from! It ran in the family. This is also pleasant to watch. Rest in peace to them all. ❤💐

[@notsoseriousmoonlight]

The World Trade Center as it was, and New York - wow. Love the kids getting in there toward the end! I'm so grateful to Nelson for filming and documenting so much! It's really transporting.

[@undiscoveredsoccertraining60]

Thank you to this man for giving glimpses into the past. Many people probably had no idea that these videos would become the greatest thing ever.

[@624radicalham]

6:33 I do believe Nelson's camera starts to get interference from the (possibly) transmitting antenna in the other nearby tower. Super interesting and I wonder if that had a negative effect on people's health.

[@born2shine4ever]

Miami SWL Radio i noticed that as well.

[@pb4595]

the planes sure had a negative effect on their health

[@brettgranger4781]

Thank you for all of the gems that you left the world...R.I.P. Nelson Sullivan.

[@edgarallenpwned3538]

I always wanted to visit the World Trade Center. Glad I finally got to. Thank you Nelson

[@orbs1062]

Thanks Nelson. For those iconic windows still in place at 3:30 I got cold chills watching that at 6:48 To think that 15 years later.......

[@marbarchi]

The engineering behind the construction of the World Trade Center was such a phenomenal work of art. Just incredible! Unbelievable how high above the city they were.

[@tvarhaug82]

what a lovely family! I'm so hooked on Nelson! 😎❤

[@SwissMarksman]

she didn't even talked to him ..

[@lesclaypoolonbass9431]

@@SwissMarksman do you not know english?

[@SwissMarksman]

@@lesclaypoolonbass9431 ies

[@Alice-ov3rd]

Their accents are fascinating. Most people in the various parts of the South have lost their accents. This is very fascinating as it shows real people.

[@Mylo12321]

Aly C Yes! I don’t hear this accent very much at all. Almost never. It’s very Scarlett’s O’Hara.

[@Ocinneade345]

These accents are old money, Patrician Southern accents.

[@rustysealey2963]

I still have my....😃

[@MoveToAugusta]

I’m southern and my mother is 82 and still speaks with this accent. My grandmothers also did. It’s definitely dwindling away. I find it very soothing!

[@apexaviation3671]

Nostalgia. Man what a time to be livin.

[@RobertoLopezstudyis]

This video is really a gem of New York City in 1986 and of the people that had fun at the World Trade Center.

[@amyyngsdal8982]

Great video!!! I just can't believe they did all that walking around in dress/heels!!! 😯

[@kellylewisfischer181]

His mom and aunt remind me of listening to my aunts from Tennessee when they would sit at the table, talk, smoke and drink coffee with my mom. ❤❤

[@leem8588]

I just like watching videos like these so I can see people walking about without a nappy on their face.

[@donpace6405]

This is a very timeless video now that the Trade centers are gone Nelsons mother seem likke a very sweet person to be around this is where he got his social skills and good manners you can tell by just watching and listening to her she was a very quiet and respectful woman and she had class also He came from a Beautiful family!

[@UniKornFairyDust]

His mother was FABULOUS. See where he got it from

[@lexilootoyou9091]

Thanks Nelson for just being so ahead of time. Some of us never made to see the world trade. But because of you we just did. 👍

[@captainleah]

I love their style

[@hungbearlover]

I’m so pleased I can relive this. First time I went I was only 14 in 1988.

[@Ricardinho4560]

8:13 I thought she was talking on the phone lol

[@allispire5921]

Ricardo Fonseca So did I! Shows how conditioned we are to seeing people on their phones all the time.

[@mattw4496]

his mother was so sweet

[@ciba2227]

I was young when the towers collapsed,this is truly an amazing piece of footage that allows me to see what it was like, thank you.

[@michaelmottlau2072]

Thanks for uploading. Also nice to see New York city in 1986 and the WTC. What a view from top of those buildings!

[@craigseamus4335]

stfu

[@michaelmottlau2072]

Craig Seamus. ? Please explain!

[@craigseamus4335]

michael mottlau stfu stands for sublime-terrific-fantastic-unique

[@michaelmottlau2072]

Craig Seamus. Are you making fun of me or are you serious? I thought STFU meant "shut the fuck up"?

[@craigseamus4335]

no no no it means what i told you ctfo

[@amycavaliere7190]

What a hauntingly beautiful video. I have just discovered nelson Sullivan on here and his videos. The every day life and things that he caught on camera of New York City in the 80s is such a treasure and such a piece of history! It is so sad to think that this is all gone but it is so awesome to see especially for the younger generations who will never get to look at the towers in person. All these videos are absolutely priceless and I am so happy to watch them all!

[@mdr216]

As someone who currently lives in todays NYC i have to say the subway stations look awfully similar, there are still trains like that old E train, most of the E trains now are all new subways but the D B G C and A trains look EXACTLY like the ones they rode in 1986, i suspected this and its a travesty, nearly 3 dollars a ride now the MTA needs to get it together. Awesome video tho lol very thankful for all these nelson videos!

[@sonnyburnett3888]

I decided to come here today to watch Nelson's video about the World Trade Center capturing the building during better times. Nelson's videos are great time capsules.

[@ShawnaGraham50]

He was so ahead of his time and a true gentle soul. We need more of him in the world today

[@DingDongDaddyFromDumas933]

I am loving these so much I wish I could have met him what a wonderful human.

[@BattleBound]

Haunting. Essential. Thank you, Nelson.

[@ddl4374]

His mom just has the Sweetest smile on her face as she looks all around....🤗

[@kenlord7262]

LIVING for Aunt Doris!!!!!!!

[@djb1317]

goddess, i think her fabulousity made nelson into the man he was, jane fonda meets blanche dubois

[@JB-zo7ln]

I miss the Towers so much. I love tbat Nelson captured it in his films. He could have chosen not to film it thinking it was too touristy, but good ol Nellie could never shy away from anything with his camera. If he was there it was getting filmed!

[@elektrobix]

RIP dear Nelson, so ahead of his time and his aunt is Golden Girls AF!

[@JoseMorales-lw5nt]

Born in The Bronx.... November of 1981. Had the great honor of visiting The Twin Towers twice in my lifetime. First time was my 10th birthday in November of 1991. The second, and sadly last time, was August of 2001. Never took any photos, just have my memories.❤

[@nati22love]

This is legendary in so many ways

[@80s-Retro-Alien]

Welch eine wertvolle Zeitkapsel. Das waren die wundervollen 80er Jahre. 💗

[@letitbleedadam]

I just love how proper his aunt & mother are: so classy-very cool.

[@jubjub444]

This needs to be preserved in a library!

[@The_A_Cast]

His mother and aunt were so beautiful and elegant!

[@davidebiotech2]

Back to that time when it was much more pleasant to make those visits. I have been to NY last year and I went to the Empire State Building and Rockfeller Centre.. Security checks everywhere as in the airports...very sad to see what the world became now. I think this video is a precious document also for showing this.

[@Wrestling316]

Blame The Terrorists and The All Government Agencies for not wanting to share info with each other

[@thejordanbrooks4893]

I felt it in my soul when Nelson was at the top of the World Trade Centers. Looking down, knowing what that view meant for so many, in so many different ways. For some it was one of the last things they'd ever see. For others it was inspiration. Nelson is missed. I was born in Jan of 1989.

[@maria-melek]

How did he pass away?

[@thejordanbrooks4893]

@@maria-melek Heart attack in July of '89.

[@Ariel692769]

These videos that Nelson made, are priceless.

[@angztekindustries]

And Mum has the grace of the Queen👑

[@jcharrison8511]

Nelson’s mom looks like a BOSS!! Love it

[@jackmedcalf6254]

Thank you for posting his videos . What gift he left behind.

[@anamiriamrodriguezcruz3824]

Beautiful innocent times. Family was everything and a real treat and adventure to tour the World Trade Center. God bless America.

[@YeahNah100]

This is amazing on so many levels.

[@127cmore]

I visited in 1989. Thanks 👌

[@antoniodelrio1292]

Beautiful accents those two ladies had.

[@JanHannes]

Nelson Your videos are the rarest, the truest and most telling “without words” documentaries of NYC and drag and clubbing and youth of 80’ . Thank You ♥️ RIP

[@22lilacsky]

I know I'm late to see this but I just found this channel and I love Nelson! I must say that this video is very chilling to watch if only Nelson was still here to witness all his history he helped capture over the years. RIP sweetheart.

[@brianmayishot9260]

Wish grandmas still dressed like that today. What queens! 😂

[@jamisonmcpherson2659]

My grandma still dresses like that

[@KayInMaine]

The 1980s were all about flaunting wealth. Many women who were wealthy dressed like this all the time. They wouldn't be caught dead in public like we all dress today.

[@Wayner71]

This is marvellous. Now I know how everything looked in there.

[@nou8704]

It really must’ve been something to be alive during the 80s

[@vsmichael1]

no u it was a fun time.

[@uyoebyik]

Yeah it was. I wish could turn back time and go back there

[@justsusan8606]

It sure was!

[@101kmontgomery]

All I remember is Michael Jackson...

[@screamingtima1318]

Nelson’s Aunt was fabulous! You go gal, snap-snap!

[@jessicah3450]

I got to go on the rooftop in the summer of '99. I remember it being very peaceful up there, and the air even felt a few degrees cooler.