Going with RuPaul to Carlos' Birthday Party in 1989

[@justinef]

I really honestly get off work and watch Nelson’s videos to feel as though I am in another time with other people .. it’s like .. therapy

[@xMrsGontierx]

GIRL SAME I just started a new warehouse job three days ago and these have been my saving grace

[@mariaager1924]

Doing that now. In my recliner, still in my work clothes lol.

[@ariannapac6535]

Exactly...me too

[@Mr_LMT_93]

What is the song at 8:27?

[@ChoctawNawtic4]

Yeah it's kool, esp due to the technology being much lower (better). I was just a kid in 1989, but I miss it just the same (prob even moreso).

[@missjem79]

Nelson would've been so proud of Rupaul's success. I just know it. He's a sweetheart. Orangina is my favourite.

[@nonamewhodis]

Nelson would've been a judge on Drag Race. lol

[@mrmikeyd2]

Just like Lady Bunny is.....you poor little 12 year old RPDR fans have no idea how the real world works and worked.......Ru Paul was phony as hell and used everyone he ever came in contact with

[@AlexxEnglishh]

@@mrmikeyd2 Rupaul did what he had to do and props to him for it. But yeah there's a reason why no one from his days in NYC are close to him anymore

[@biminipenn]

@@ratqueen3809 Can u elaborate on the problems between ru and his old nyc friends?? I’m genuinely curious in knowing

[@robbiedimes]

@ratqueen I'm curious too for some reason lol even though it isn't my business.

[@starmoon1590]

it's like watching freedom

[@lulubonita6484]

It does exist nowadays, just in bohemian/ rich crowds within cities Not the normal every day folk

[@lulubonita6484]

@Konga 5000 yes, I really don't like that hipster rich kid vibe, but what can you do?!

[@5dstrix]

@Konga 5000 That's really not that different from back then from what I've gathered.

[@Prophezora]

No more freedom hello 2020

[@Alanislynx]

@Konga 5000 as a 20 year old regular income having person in nyc, I can tell you that NYC’s fate for the youth has been destroyed for the last 3 years. The divide is scary. I wish I could enjoy the my youth in nyc during the 80’s or 90’s

[@treemarie213100]

How nice the party hosts walk out with each group of guests that leave. Such lovely hospitality. Ive never experienced that before.

[@LolaOpheliac]

Documenting the present is a gift for the future, so thank you Nelson and thank you to the people taking care of his estate :)

[@Mr_LMT_93]

Do you know the song at 8:08?

[@astralfluxaf]

@@Mr_LMT_93 I wanted to know too! It’s a banger 😝 Sounds like beastie boys? 🤔

[@deboramccallum3987]

I discovered these treasures during pandemic and it sure is a fantastic glimpse into past. Great they were archived for our viewing pleasure. You did good Nel

[@LannieLord]

EXEMPT : NOBODY is gonna wanna remember 2020 onward. Even if they came out and the world was their OYSTER in 2021 . Nobody will want to remember these years . 2019 will be relished though

[@dtlopez100]

His home is now a restaurant :( i wish they would have preserved it.

[@mary-janegreen1513]

Such an inquisitive person he was. I love how he takes the time to notice all the finer, yet simple details. The Elevator, the candelabra, the view, the decor. So in tune with his surroundings. Wonderful person.

[@TrudyPatootie]

RIP Nelson Sullivan. You have taken amazing footage of times lost to us. I felt like I was right there with you at the party..

[@LethalLadyV]

Nova Chandra so true and I love the footage of the winding staircases I think that was his thing

[@sint5990]

Nelson left us such a gift. The ability to live in a time we never could among people we’d never know. It must’ve been hard for him being the only person in many of these rooms who understood the importance of what he was doing. It was after all a time where, unlike today, a person carrying a camera everywhere they went was an incredibly odd concept.

[@thewaywardpoet]

I am loving these videos. Each one is like a tiny little glimpse into the bohemian subculture of 1980s New York. Nelson Sullivan was a terrific (albeit unorthodox) archivist, and I'm so glad that his work has been made accessible to the public. :)

[@louiseboutin4266]

i just love Nelson's way of talking.

[@raymondsolisjr.1262]

He was from Georgia right?

[@honeybee3682]

I'm actually addicted to Nelsons videos ! So before his time, I didn't even think about recording things in my life on literally a daily basis in the 80's, plus it was not like today's cameras just plug it into the TV to watch it together or Bluetooth things. Camcoders were bloody heavy things and expensive! Time and technology has changed so much but I still loved the 80's as a teenager ! Great times 💕

[@Costa998]

Same here

[@KJ-xc6qs]

Nelson Sullivan's laid-back personality reminds me of Mr. Rogers

[@Texaslawhorn]

He's like Mr. Roger's southern cousin.

[@czechchicklet6890]

Mr. Rogers was a Presbyterian minister, just a bit of trivia.

[@LIFEinMOLLYWOOD]

These are FANTASTIC! This guy was vlogging before there even was an internet and that's what makes it so REAL!

[@tom.a5796]

For those of us into punk/hardcore, at 13:06 Nelson zooms in on a pair of pants with a bunch of band inspired logos (like "Black" with 3 bars in the Black Flag font, etc.), it's so fascinating how far back that kind of thing goes. There's designers and chain clothing stores that still do that to this day - trying to turn punk into high fashion. It was goofy then and is goofy now, yet also super interesting to see as far back as 1989! I love these videos for this kinda stuff!

[@nonas6751]

Thank you for these wonderful video's!! New York in the 80s was the best! I wish I would've been there and lived these amazing created moments.

[@focusedfreebird]

Susana MORALES I visited NYC in 1982 it was so bohemian!

[@williambyron772]

Wasn't it? This is such a beautiful form of time travel, plain and simple.

[@pugiemcrufus6050]

Susan Berman how did he die?

[@IntergalacticSpaceKitten]

@@pugiemcrufus6050 Heart attack according to his wiki. Poor guy. He died on July 4th, 1989 at 41. That's way too early to leave this Earth.

[@neshama2195]

so great, really this is bittersweet to watch and you can't stop watching Nelson, he seems so absolutely in the moment and it is something that this timeline lacks

[@dontaejames7515]

Neshama I am infatuated with the guy. He seems so awesome. Such a wholesome person

[@crystalllllll]

Very well put.

[@stephaniecheeks7518]

I appreciate him so much for capturing all of these moments for us to enjoy today 🥰

[@7907-u8h]

6:06 damn that song is old. And wow that apartment is huge!!

[@MrP71]

music or song never get old

[@JJJ19j]

Korn fan

[@JJJ19j]

Been since 1998

[@kayla-yy4sq]

R.I.P Nelson you seemed like a great person and your were 100% the king of vlogs, if only people back then new how famous these videos would get

[@jessicah3450]

Living vicariously through Nelson again.

[@nielspetersen1172]

Nelson is charismatic as hell!

[@KITTYHAVOK]

I cant thank you enough for posting these videos.

[@scott6504]

I love how Nelson is so dry.

[@Mr_LMT_93]

just like your mom

[@vikingsong2068]

He was talking about his sense of humour..

[@mamascookin]

The perfect narration

[@spiderreed350]

I like how Nelson bolts from the cab without chipping in,than bitches how long it's taking and Rupaul comes out of the cab saying, " we got stuck with the Cab,lol..smooth!..(1.52)

[@1953childstar]

Nelson "more than paid his way"… He supported those characters.

[@angelamacakelly7706]

So sad to know that Nelson died less than 3 months later. Life is so unfair and fickle at times. Gr8 to see that he lived life to the fullest and surrounded himself with fun loving loyal froends/people.

[@killa4k]

That building and especially that loft is amazing, wow. It'd cost millions to live there now.

[@robinsoucy8829]

Nelson.. your candle blew out long before your legend ever did.. love you nelson

[@far574]

I was 19 when this was filmed. I had just left NYC and moved to SF and been ever since. The 80s were the best times EVER!

[@alan-light]

The birthday party seen here is held at the Gilsey House, 1200 Broadway, NYC. (Broadway and 29th Street) Second floor. The Gilsey House was built in 1869-1871 as the Gilsey Hotel. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilsey_House

[@FRANCESCOBERGOMI]

That's awesome. Thanks for this piece of info. Been trying to figure this out, especially after hearing Nelson telling the cab driver to head to 21st Street between 10th and 11th. Maybe that was a stopover on the way to the party. Such a sweet video. EDIT: Just realized Carlos actually names the hotel and gives the right address at the end of the video.

[@angelamacakelly7706]

Feels like " the olden days" then I remember that I was one month shy of being 17yrs old in April '89.....jeezo, 14 months and I'll be 50, what in the actual fek, where and how did life go by so quickly? It really is like the twighlight zone. Once a child always a child, that's my excuse and I'm sticking with it 🤔😉🤭. Keep safe everyone and be kind and patient with yourselves xx

[@yankees29]

80’s-90’s were the best time ever to grow up.

[@onelove1968]

This looks like a typical 'party scene' from a Hollywood film. Everyone is playing their character's role perfectly.

[@alonelylonelyloner]

These kind of videos are such a treasure specially for the people on this video and their family. Reliving the life years ago.

[@millsykooksy4863]

I love how nerdy Ru was

[@allthingshiphop1151]

the music and vibes.

[@evemiddleton-meyer2620]

Thank you Nelson for filming all this footage. And thank you to 5ninthavenueproject for sharing it with us

[@boopah4365]

These people couldnt have imagined in 30 yrs tens of thousands of strangers would be watching them while they were being video recorded..

[@ryanharris3742]

It is so weird that this is so mesmerizing. I hadn't just fallen out of a coconut tree in '89, but it was before I was out. I don't know what happens after death, but my hope is Nelson, you are somewhere where you can appreciate how valuable this is. That you and your cast of "characters" are not forgotten. Love you Nelson!!

[@StickeyyNotes]

These are really raw and I absolutely love the soul in them.

[@HollywoodCreeper]

I saw this video last night, May 20, 2018, and then I walked to the building. It looks the same. Where does Carlos have the money to live there I wonder? I wonder what the price of these kind of places are in comparison to today. That building is probably so expensive. Millions to buy, and like $8,000 monthly just for building maintenance fees. I love how people talk and joke around in these videos. I wish it was like that today. I don't think a lot of people know how to joke around and have fun. I really am starving for the way things were then. What I was going to say is that it really is amazing the lives that lived yesteryear that we do not know anything about. Nelson's and his friend's lives would have been the same if it weren't for his video taping.

[@Mylo12321]

HollywoodCreeper yes that’s something I think about as well from time to time even before Nelson’s videos. How many lives we aren’t witnessing that we will never know about.

[@Hallahanify]

He looks very young... trust fund

[@nbcuni]

@@Hallahanify Oh that dude was definitely living off of mommy and daddy, 100%. He kinda seems like a douchebag poser, doesn't he? This entire video is HILARIOUS though.

[@THEARTURLIVE]

It was cheap

[@trentsteel9]

@@THEARTURLIVE I doubt it was that cheap, at the beginning of the video he says Keith Richards lived in the building

[@LethalLadyV]

Original vlog squad I’m loving these videos ❤️❤️❤️ I could imagine Nelson is truly missed

[@LannieLord]

One thing to remember ; YOUNG FOLKS: This was a time when POORER people could LIVE in a CITY !!

[@juliejerkoff]

I was kinda trying to figure out if they were all rich kids or not

[@chloeeveld1104]

I love these videos so much, so grateful to Nelson to putting up with peoples weird looks towards him. He invented vlogging in the 80’s! So interesting to watch, thanks for this

[@ItaintmeCCC]

The guests seem so genuine and sincere unlike today's crowds at social gatherings who are self obsessed and absorbed.

[@JB-zo7ln]

Kate is so beautiful 😍

[@crystalllllll]

The joy on Carlos face when they sung him happy birthday was priceless.

[@laurenoneil]

This is a really GREAT one!

[@IntergalacticSpaceKitten]

I always heard of how New York was a shithole in the 80s (I live right below NY, in Pennsylvania). But it seems like these people really brightened up the city back then and gave it life. The night life seems crazy!

[@yankees29]

I partied in Manhattan in the 90’s and it was still wild.

[@Lypno]

Thank you for uploading !

[@HauntingThought]

I appreciate these videos so much ❤️

[@cgvapors963]

I think BrandyWine wanted to partake in some nose candy in that bathroom, but Nelson wouldn't turn off the camera.

[@ashleysantiago4683]

I love coming back to these videos. It tskes me back to a time where i never existed but i swear i wanted to experience it so bad 😢❤❤❤❤

[@MEQUPWER]

Amazing that you were VLOGGING 30 YEARS BEFORE it was cool to do. you were doing KZbin 30 years b4 youtube EXSISTED!! so DOPE!!

[@salaciousbum1161]

Back when parties were parties, not just people on their phones taking pictures of themselves and sharing on social media immediately. Wish i was an adult at this time, unfortunately I was only 5.

[@faithruckdeschel1294]

Salicious Bum I agree, back when ppl were respectable to their host and other guests.

[@alexkastano96]

Salicious Bum I do not agree...just don't hang out with those idiots ...

[@enorme72]

Yes, on that time was amazing

[@harrymonk6]

Dude parties are still parties ? Wtf

[@enorme72]

@@harrymonk6 Yes, real parties

[@tinabaker8151]

I love you Nelson ❤️☮️🦋

[@starmoon1590]

Tina Baker - I knew a Tina Baker in the seventies...😊

[@Mr_LMT_93]

Tina Baker - I knew a Tina Baker in the seventies...😉

[@Gaaei]

This is so addictive! Love from Kuwait.

[@GodsChild4Ever446]

Thank you Nelson for your gift to us and those beautiful eyes.

[@vickidavenport164]

I couldn't love his videos any more. Magical. Love

[@secretlover5759]

What a wonderful group of friends. Just beautiful.

[@ChoctawNawtic4]

I am not even associated with this culture, but being able to peek into another soul's life like this, especially at this time in humanity, is just fascinating!!

[@lynettelaroche8868]

I Love the Music in the background!!

[@techn9cian09]

Wasn’t even a twinkle in my fathers eye when with was filmed. It’s so cool to see. Crazy how much things have changed since then. The world seemed so quiet then.

[@rv4854]

amazing video. Love the array of different people. Fun ! I need new friends 😞

[@starmoon1590]

Rene V - was thinking same....

[@tessa7778]

Me too 😔

[@bryannebanff448]

When you're flipping through a magazine in the 80s and you catch the very first Michael Jackson meme

[@davidhart1811]

Thanks for the little pizzas 😂

[@suzienada7253]

god i miss parties

[@kandykane3324]

Nelson was a dedicated vlogger. I can imagine how heavy that camcorder was. When I would use mines just in the house it would wear me out. I had to buy a tripod to give my arm a break. Nelson never put his down and had such good control. There is no shaking, smooth panning etc... These vloggers today could learn a thing or two from him.

[@sweetsuzie9346]

Amazing what became of. Ru Paul! True destiny.💐

[@tinabaker8151]

THE SUZIE MONSTER I agree 100% True destiny🌷🌸💐 amazing ❤️ Beautiful🦋

[@Aluvsm]

Do you think it's because of Nelson's videos?

[@Alice-ov3rd]

How does this channel not have more subscribers?

[@sweetsuzie9346]

I wonder if ru Paul watches these too...

[@slydoll7877]

He won't. He finds it painful and he wants to live in the present.

[@Bj_mc31]

Hé doesn’t!

[@musicaltheatergeek79]

*SlyDoll7* why does he find them painful?

[@slydoll7877]

@@musicaltheatergeek79 Well, when you've lived a life like Ru has, full of creativity and amazing people...it also means he's lost a lot of people along the way. Many of the people in these films are dead. Others have got lost to drugs along the way...it's sad when you get over 40 and look back. It's just best to look forward that's all.

[@slydoll7877]

@@Bj_mc31 He said he couldn't watch them. He finds it hard. He said it in his and Michelle's podcast.

[@JB-zo7ln]

I can't believe Herbert Berburt was at this party. I swear Nelson had some pretty amazing friends. Some went on to great careers like Ru obviously and others that may be lesser known to most people. I know who they are though and it's really cool seeing them as younger folks getting started in their careers and things. Sadly, lots of Nelson's friends have also passed away and that is unfortunately just a part of life. Nelson, John Sex, Brant Mewborn, and Carlos all passed away within a year or so of this video, for example. Too young. RIP to all and God Bless to everyone.

[@mrmikeyd2]

Who was Carlos and how did he die? Was he a trust fund baby?

[@StormingViperX]

Any more info on Carlos? Who he was etc?

[@screamingtima1318]

Hello??? Ppl are asking how Carlos died?

[@dianadundidit5343]

Who was Carlos? I've seen him in Nelson's videos before.

[@wantsomecoffee]

Many happy returns. Ah, the way we used to speak.

[@AMARS11663]

I don't know why but I love Nelson Videos...

[@SuperCutiepie1012]

that brandy friend of his was soo LOUD😂😂😭I saw another video of the club kids field trip thing and he was yelling from the get!

[@paulym9969]

Nelsons reality show, before there was Reality shows.....pretty cool, ive been watching these vids for a few months now, dont know why, but I cant quit watching, its like a TV series, I got to see what happens next...lol. Any way this is really cool to see, I was 20 in 1989 so and as we all know we did not have cell phones with cameras back then and and rarely if ever did anyone have a video camera, maybe just a camera for pictures sometimes. I feel like I know Nelson even though I never met him by watching his life on camera.

[@hugznotdrugs2]

Oh and Carlos was 😍

[@FerenswayRecords]

What a beautiful soul Nelson was

[@lauchzwiebel]

love the vibe

[@LaurenOliviArt]

What an amazing space!!!!!

[@fluffyhead6377]

The guy sat on the toilet having a crises 😂

[@maverickbull1909]

OMG i wish i could go to a cool NY warehouse party with friends ugh

[@dicrylium-2868]

I need more of these, can someone please see if they can find out about the remaining footage Nelson shot? They're a glimpse into such a genuine culture. Much love. 🖖

[@priceofsilver]

god damn, the city was so EMPTY back then

[@Mylo12321]

priceofsilver I notice that too in his videos. Always wondering where the hell is everyone. I know NY was packed so it’s weird.

[@Mylo12321]

Mels M Wow - well put. I was 19 at the time and didn’t live in NY and I am hetero female BUT I know exactly what you mean.

[@Action_Slacks]

@Mels M It's "clique" when you're talking about a group of people.

[@starlightrocks7]

Because there were no illegal immigants.

[@BlueGreens]

@@starlightrocks7 “illegal” as in the the Europeans that are in America?

[@danksquadone9271]

RuPaul would probably like to see these memories saved from a great friend.priceless .

[@christianbravorojas9852]

this is the longest snapchat story I have ever see...

[@nickicouture7297]

Christian Bravo Rojas best snap chat story ever

[@groovymovie84]

I wonder how much it cost to live in that loft then vs. now?

[@HollywoodCreeper]

Millions....

[@angelamacakelly7706]

Probs all relative

[@JazzyUte]

Apartments in the Gilsey House go anywhere from $1.8 million to $2.7 million.

[@iamaltright2625]

The woman making nachos at 6:05 looks like she's from the present day.

[@JayJayFromAZ]

Those Vienna sausages for hors d'oeuvres. Lol.

[@cunderw12]

3 people in the bathroom reading the newest issue of interview magazine. Wonder what they were on.

[@matemahe]

we get it you wish you got out more. I hate when ppl hint at things like who cares live & let live

[@YeVinKetmAn1]

Dang the amount of times he mentions Christina throughout his videos is heartbreaking. It was clearly his best friend

[@whatwhat7798]

What happened to Christina?

[@MrGTARADIO]

Christina died few weeks before Nelson, probably cause of drugs overdose

[@robynd3632]

It's so weird how things have changed. The thought of going out somewhere without my phone actually makes me feel strange. It's like I don't know life without one.

[@kevintaylor3427]

Better times.

[@marshhen]

It meant that whereever you ended up, whoever you were with, became interesting and mattered to you. So parties like this or nights like this felt adventurous because you had no idea who you might meet or where you might end up. Life could be lived in the moment. Nobody had phones so nobody was stressing that they might be at the wrong party or the best party. They were just try to fit in as many as they could in a night. Going to a party where you knew few people was an adventure. Nobody took photos, this guy was exceptional. We took a few photos occasionally but only when it was a special occasion. That meant you did not worry about how you would look online, because online did not exist. Real life was just that. It was beautiful and it is still available to you. Just keep your phone in your pocket. Just leave it home. Just go away for a night and leave it at home. It will open your eyes.

[@keithnichols7926]

A great place for a party. What do you suppose that apartment would go for today? Prices are about $1,000 per square foot. Too bad the cameras of that era couldn't handle the dim light well.

[@amyyngsdal8982]

Now, that's what I call a PARTY!!!! ❤

[@starmoon1590]

Amy Yngsdal been to so many...not in NY ..but my hometown back then had parties all over...usually Friday... Saturday...some Sundays...so much fun

[@HotSauceStain]

The music at the party 👌

[@therealsoulproduct]

Those Baby Boomers really knew how to party back then.

[@JB-zo7ln]

Nelson was a baby boomer, but he was also 41 years old at this time in 1989. Many others he hung around were in their early 20's to early 30's so they were not all boomers. He also hungout with boomers too because he had other friends older than he was. He didn't seem to care how old they were as long as they were interesting, friendly, cool, artistic, unique, and talented.

[@JPMJPM]

Most of these people are GenX.

[@Mr_LMT_93]

so was your dad and your mom back in the day

[@suginami123]

Totally fascinating

[@carlacarlinha8989]

Estou amando os vídeos!

[@b1nary_f1nary]

Some say Carlos is still trying to stand up those candles

[@screamingtima1318]

I heard that he died, so maybe not…

[@mar002007]

@@screamingtima1318 been wondering about Carlos. Where did you hear that?

[@Mr_LMT_93]

@@mar002007 No, she didn't hear it. She watched it in Nelson's videos where she *READ* that Nelson had a heart attack... The girl was just talking out of her ass

[@mattdrago4660]

@@Mr_LMT_93 it's actually been mentioned that Carlos died a year later.

[@Mr_LMT_93]

@@mattdrago4660 Oh, damn! 😕

[@Brandooon95]

8:44 i wanna get a drink now

[@edmundpower1250]

Loved the way Nelson would stay sober and capture the life and fun everyone else was having

[@nickicouture7297]

Edmund Power I can relate. That was me, in my group of friends

[@MEQUPWER]

Also CARLOS is now 61 years old in 2017! Congrats Carlos!!!

[@jaketv3307]

flappy188 no because he died in 89

[@heartstruth6875]

@@jaketv3307 Carlos died the same year as Nelson?

[@bobbigarcia882]

flappy188 do you know where to find him or do you have any more info on his whereabouts?

[@imonlyjustahole]

hearts truth no Carlos died around 2010s

[@screamingtima1318]

@@jaketv3307 Can you elaborate? You say 89, someone else says 2010. When did Carlos die and how?

[@sailorhill1085]

Bianca del rio is going crazy in the bathroom ☺️❤️

[@JRS814]

Omg I was thinking he does look like her, WOW