A Walk from the Meatmarket to the West Side Piers in New York in 1988

A walk from the Meatmarket to the Piers on a lovely spring afternoon in 1988. Video by Nelson Sullivan

[@_Miss_Mary]

Nelson you took the words out of my mouth " No Rhonda, that wouldn't be funny"...... Blackout liked you for a reason! You were so empathetic to everyone including the animals. That makes my heart happy.

[@joloughlin577]

Blackout is so beautiful and had such a wonderful walk. Made me feel happy seeing his tail wag with delight when he got to play with a friend. And when he looked up so lovingly at Nelson at the end of the pier my eyes got watery. Two sweethearts and best friends. ❤️

[@queenbee1984]

I love that Nelson understood and cared for animal’s feelings and well-being

[@lillyrocks2011]

Love Blackout, I love to take walks with dogs, with my dog. I think Blackout missed Nelson too much after he died. I hope both are well and in complete happiness, taking many walks together.

[@rupviv]

So much to see: Blackout, Rhonda, Twin Towers and a very handsome, youthful-looking Nelson! Thanks for sharing, jg

[@silverose1209]

@Robert Ward That is Nelson at 5:14.

[@erikalynnpennella2667]

He really was handsome! He had a lot of different looks right...

[@Iworkwithnitwits]

Someone needs to do a mural of Nelson Sullivan in the meatpacking district.

[@ricarellan]

I agree!

[@HowDidIGet3700Subs]

He won’t notice. He’s dead X

[@April235E]

And include Blackjack

[@amyyngsdal8982]

Blackout is such a good dog!!! RIP Nelson and Blackout. 💜

[@TS-qq7vr]

I didn't know Blackout had died too! 😢

[@why-is-this-handle--a-thing]

@@TS-qq7vr bro, blackout's been around since at least the late 70s or the early 80s. iirc nelson's first blog video in 83 starts off with him and 2 of his pets, blackout and douglas.

[@TS-qq7vr]

@@why-is-this-handle--a-thing: So he is still living? Cool!

[@why-is-this-handle--a-thing]

@@TS-qq7vr i wish.

[@troy2000me]

@@TS-qq7vr How long do you think dogs live my dude. This was over 30 years ago.

[@jpolar394]

RIP Nelson and Blackout, both of you were winners. 👌👍

[@dixienormous6969]

I absolutely looooooove the way Nelson spoke!!! I could listen to him all day. I am so beyond grateful to be able to see your videos, I hope to one day visit your beautiful home & pay my respects to you for creating something like this & recording this New York, a New York I never got to experience & will never experience. No one else was doing it Nelson & you did it, many people thought you were odd to record everything & yourself, like you said in the "McDonald's Outlaw Party" video, the people in the restaurant you were in kept asking you questions about why you record everything & yourself & you said how awful it was that they kept asking you that.. Oh, Nelson.. I am sooooooo happy you didn't let anyone stop you. It took a lot of guts to be recording in those times especially with a giant camera but you did it & now so many people around the world love you & your memories. I'm writing on here like you're gonna see this hahaha but I just wanted to let this all out because I really do admire you, I'm in awe of you. So genuine & so sweet you were. Love you, always.

[@dennybenz5846]

He was one in a million. I wish he was still alive. But his spirit and videos live on.

[@ariannapac6535]

He left us treasure

[@dixienormous6969]

@@ariannapac6535 he was a treasure 🗿

[@fordxbgtfalcon]

He was one in a billion. A true pioneer and a genuine loving soul.

[@dennybenz5846]

Oh goodness nelson is so handsome. So nice seeing some video him for a change.

[@lillyrocks2011]

Maritza Aponte I think so, too. I think he was a very handsome guy. I'd have like to hang out with him, I think it would be really fun, and relaxed at the same time.

[@Ligaya1980]

Nelson and Blackout had such a loving bond💚🌟

[@Rosesyoutube]

What Nelson was saying is very interesting. I hate when people don't care about history. Or dog safety for that matter

[@Skaterbun]

Jon is so quiet and different to Lahoma, I love them both.

[@Twinklez63]

@@peregrino9154 Absolutely

[@brentaudi9354]

Great Capture! Great sights of NY! Blackout was a great fella. Love Nelson's hair in this video!

[@johnniejohnson2329]

Nealson is a homeboy from Kershaw South Carolina me and my dad used to drive by Aunt Nancy house when we went fishing God bless you nelson and blackout

[@boop4904]

So Rhonda thought it’d be fun to try to get Blackout to chase a stick into a hole in the pier from which there’d be no escape, and Jon thought it was fun to throw water in his face?? Nelson called them both out on their insensitivity. Such a kind and sweet man. And they were kind of assholes, at least as far as Blackout was concerned. Got it. 👍

[@Twinklez63]

👍

[@00andrescab00]

My mom cam to NYC in 86. She tells me stories about her youth, her hopes, fears, what and who she loved back then, of the city now gone, and how much she loved. She still loves it here. But, its more of that nostalgic love. I feel like I inherited it from her. I was born in 89, way too late to catch any of this during my coming of age years. I love walking these streets, not so much for what they represent now, but for what they use to. I imagine my youthful mom running around, living, getting to know people, the city. I grow more nostalgic for a city that doesn't exist anymore.

[@LaurenOliviArt]

Memories of time passed. Beautiful

[@nikkisinclaire4185]

I’m from England, 1988 was my first visit to NYC as a naive 🌈20yo . Fell in love with it and been back 50/60 times since. That fabulous buzz the city had in the 80s is long gone with major help from Gulianni 😢

[@Nadtochy]

Always love new videos, thank you!

[@mrmikeyd2]

I feel so sorry for young people today living in cities all over the country...everything is so gentrified and greedy until you can't be poor and creative and live in anything resembling dignity...you have to be a corporate cog to survive the high cost of living...this is somehow supposed to be progress???? I am glad I was young when I was young...these poor robots today are never going to know what being young and free is

[@drinkingpoolwater]

it’s callled neoliberalism

[@davidaguilera6496]

Michael Alig was so infamous in NYC in the 80’s that his name was just casually spray painted on the walls lol

[@TS-qq7vr]

8:11 Angel's body in the box

[@deannalopez6158]

He died of an overdose on 12/24/20

[@LaurenOliviArt]

I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone else film Nelson!!! Love this perspective

[@nelsonsullivanhd9908]

There's a video where he goes to his job at patelsons and the owner films him for a few seconds. It's a special few moments as they are both notable people who are now gone.

[@amyishere67]

Twin towers in the background and some interesting history about the piers from a handsome Nelson. Great video

[@manfocused]

Love Blackout! Lol. Aww man, do I remember these days. The Meatpacking District looked more dangerous than it actually was back then. I always felt safe down there, and had so much fun. I never thought that it would become the expensive, glitzy neighborhood that it is today.

[@gv-can4718]

Love that little hop/skip/walk Blackout does 😂❤️😇

[@UnCannyValley67]

Watching these videos makes me yearn to have an afternoon with these real New Yorkers. Just a perfect day Drink sangria in the park And then later, when it gets dark We go home Just a perfect day Feed animals in the zoo Then later a movie, too And then home Oh, it's such a perfect day I'm glad I spent it with you Oh, such a perfect day You just keep me hanging on You just keep me hanging on Just a perfect day Problems all left alone Weekenders on our own It's such fun Just a perfect day You made me forget myself I thought I was someone else Someone good Oh, it's such a perfect day I'm glad I spent it with you Oh,…

[@sadiebellabee]

His eye for getting a good shot was impeccable for a rookie photographer.

[@jennytaylor4165]

What a great walkabout. Those piers look Victorian.

[@dennybenz5846]

So sad that black out died one year after, i do hope who ever had him took good care of him. Seeing this video Rhonda was daring to see if blackout would jump in that gap/hole and nelson did not find it funny. So sad ... poor blackout.

[@boop4904]

The difference between Nelson and Rhonda was huge there.

[@Twinklez63]

Well Jon throwing water over Blackout s head shows who he is too. Sux. Poor Blackout.

[@discounderground6481]

Lahoma, Larry T and RuPaul took care of Blackout and the 2 cats after Nelson died.

[@deannalopez6158]

I love you Nelson Sullivan!!

[@TheMjm55]

Things like passing a building with "Michael Alig (heart) Keoki" spray-painted on it is the kind of thing I live for in these videos.

[@tomgraham3206]

Fascinating. Sad those piers are gone now. I visited NYC a few years ago and I think I remember that bit...it was boring park/concrete walkways?

[@mixedhairless]

thanks i miss NY

[@DavidKarlsson-ti6sb]

His friends don't seem very nice. But I do love Nelson and Blackout.

[@Gaish]

jon (lahoma) is literally the sweetest person in all of nelson's vlogs. maybe check some more videos out of him and nelson. he's very endearing

[@discounderground6481]

@@Gaish You are right !

[@stevengallant6363]

@@Gaish so is rhonda! Rhonda is beautiful inside and out.. apparently she's still alive living in Upstate New York

[@TOPOTWO]

The dog looks so happy

[@video409]

Those piers are gone now it all park space

[@ferrari250lm]

Nice CRX. I had one like that 😀

[@jesusenriquerivas5683]

OMG.... I miss That New york era

[@dennybenz5846]

Black out was an active dog for his age. Eating wood LOL.

[@Johnelhadjmi]

Love to see this west side highway back then

[@MsGochis]

blackout is so beautiful

[@j-a-k9585]

I love you black out miss you

[@way2muchNFO]

He looks like JFK Junior from the side at the end

[@kennandersen6815]

Those piers were the place for action after dark!

[@skipads5141]

....and that's why we no longer have piers for people to enjoy any more. A few people always ruin it for others.

[@Frankie343]

Blackout is so cute 😁

[@Twinklez63]

Omg Blackout makes me so happy 😍

[@dennybenz5846]

Yes nelson if you were still alive you will see the gentrification now in New York, boring boring boring..

[@69venadoify]

Great stuff. I was 17 that summer and was down by the river often. What a flashback. Is it true that Rhonda passed away last year? I remember seeing Jon W around then. Is he still in NYC?

[@nelsonsullivanhd9908]

Nope, that's not true. Rhonda is still living and is currently traveling across the country via bus/rv. Jon Witherspoon was last spotted at the Nelson exhibit at Fort Gansevoort in 2017 I believe.

[@cyndykated358]

Blackout had a lot of adventures!

[@westonbowers73]

love these videos so much, how did u get your hands on these?

[@kennandersen6815]

nelsonsullivan.com/index.html

[@cosmokramer1987]

Nelson Would've hated new New York.

[@pamdewall4588]

Rants from the laundry room. Blackout didnt know hate.so he wouldnt have

[@shellywhy7937]

love her outfit

[@NinaCyra]

Shelly Why shoulder pads are giving me life 😍

[@l.l.9806]

Me too look

[@chax2004]

The only thing that is constant is change.

[@Danny-bg8kz]

The Michael Alig graffiti on the wall😮

[@Handiman544]

Was this before NY became unaffordable?

[@lillyrocks2011]

J kK Yes, or gentrified. Like is happening the same sadly with several European cities. :-/

[@devinsuni]

Everything is unaffordable now

[@TS-qq7vr]

When it was an economic disaster shithole.

[@matthewmwalker]

Florent!!!

[@stevengallant6363]

45 years ago today.. July 13th 1977... the New York blackout

[@Lisa-ps2rv]

My 5th birthday.

[@dennybenz5846]

Where is lahoma and Rhonda now a days anyone know? I am sure they watch these videos if they are around

[@bartolomeestebanmurillo4459]

From what I googled, Lahoma still lives in NYC retired his stage name years ago.

[@drinkingpoolwater]

michael aligs name on the wall. wow.

[@Ihuffglue91]

0:30 Michael Alig

[@SusieSynth]

Will oh wow that's cool!

[@MOTHATALKS]

Why is it because hes a convicted murderer

[@patterson4763]

I can tell blackout had qui a bit of age on him in this video. Appears to be part Irish setter

[@Avgeek1564]

Is that what is now the Jane Hotel @1:39?

[@devingademan]

Yes, 113 Jane St.

[@TS-qq7vr]

Nelson with big hair!

[@chax2004]

The pier is now a driving range.

[@mrmikeyd2]

how sad

[@TS-qq7vr]

8:11 Angel's body pieces in the box after Michael Alig threw it in the Hudson. 0:29...

[@Antny.25]

Wow, crazy "michaelalig♡keoki" 0:32

[@drewkatchen805]

Yeah, that's a real treat to see.

[@madtingz2288]

Oh wow the twin towers in the back, I live for these videos

[@HowDidIGet3700Subs]

Different person in every video - did Nelson get bored of people?

[@Musistics]

Water for blackout.

[@l.l.9806]

How he die so young

[@Antny.25]

Heart attack 😩😰

[@polyconcave]

Bodies floating in boxes sure were a thing in those times.

[@harrymonk6]

Aids is the blame here

[@way2muchNFO]

Used to be a lot of sex for sure. Thug boats lol

[@jameslaumand3686]

Hmmm was Rhonda a man I wounder

[@stevengallant6363]

Watch more of Nelson's videos and you shall find out

[@jamesmac5024]

Why did Nelson never cover AIDS as an issue?