RuPaul in the dressing room before his "Old South Show" at the Pyramid in 1984

[@cndluluv]

Nelson captured these moments as though he knew they’d be important moments in history. Just Brilliant.

[@agelesskarate]

Yeah it’s weird because at that moment it was just another day. Who knew things were so different? Wild.

[@themaggattack]

"Cam-corders" as they were called, were all the rave in the 80's. Everyone recorded their every day lives. There was a T.V. show called "America's Funniest Home Videos", hosted by Bob Saggot, to which families submitted their funny home videos and each week the winner got a cash prize. My best friend recorded a day in her life when she moved to California in Jr. High, and she sent me 8 hrs worth of footage of her day. Just because. So although it's really cool to see this footage, it's really not unusual that it would exist.

[@dangerous8333]

I don't think that's why he did it but who knows.

[@joogabelly9255]

The music, the outfits, the atmosphere... I just love it so much.

[@rimmel65]

Honey, It's Jo The 80s!

[@uberglamazon]

It was literally 1000 times better than u can imagine...

[@tangerinerose3724]

Was the best of times...

[@davemcd9077]

@joog...imagine what it was like to be there, and i don't mean in NYC, or IN that Bar at the time of this video.....I mean 'the 80s'=an actaul explosion of 'music, outfits...' which made the atmosphere distinctly 80s. Best time of my life=I just loved it so much.

[@Taylor-lm5op]

This camera quality is really the best kind. Such a more simpler and charming time. No one's time together is being interrupted by a phone

[@KissMyBiscuits]

Peyton Yes!!!!! That’s it! No one’s time together is being interrupted by a phone and no one is staring at a screen while pretending to listen.

[@jomoland]

Peyton yep those were the good ole days.

[@onlyplayaseattacoswiththei9433]

Great 1st name💯👏😂

[@AntnyXO]

1:00 Wow, Bronski Beat - Small Town Boy playing while RuPaul arrives at the Pyramid Club in 1984 in a Nelson Sullivan video. Pure Art. 💗

[@presentprogressive8780]

This is a very fascinating time capsule, especially if you are gay. The first song playing in the background is Smalltown Boy from Bronski Beat. The single came out one month earlier in the UK and around the time that this video was shot in the rest of europe, but not until december in the US. It was the first major mainstream hit that talked about the struggles of being gay and trying to find freedom and acceptance in the big city. So someone associated with the Pyramid Club must have acquired it overseas. It is also interesting to note that when the video for the song came out in the US they cut out all homosexual connotations.

[@valleygirltotallyforsure]

Thank you for telling us about that, i love learning stuff like that 😀

[@melmak4108]

Interesting info thanks for sharing. I love Nelsons videos and people seemed so polite back then

[@michaelloparco2173]

Hideaway by Erasure was another good one...

[@ricobowman2922]

Wow thank you for this history!

[@mattdrago4660]

Great sounding track. Thanks for the info

[@Skaterbun]

Ru is just so beautiful in every video, the star attraction

[@michaelcoogan7413]

I love how people now call Ru lazy etc, he went through the fucking struggles and worked his ass off he has every right now to be entitled he earned that shit, he was one of the people that paved the way for these new queens! Slay iconic queen!

[@themaggattack]

Yes, he does have every right to let someone else style him and live a posh life. He paid his dues. And I don't think he's the one who is so limiting toward transgender queens, androgynous drag, and other queens who push the envelope. I think as far as all the problematic issues go (including any issues with fat shaming, colorism, cultural appropriation, etc) it's more the network and the whole big production that is a reality T.V. show than Ru himself. However... His entitlement does go too far with fracking. Even if it's his husband's business, he still knows what's going on, and he still reaps the benefits of the profits. Contibuting to ruining the earth- That's too damn much entitlement. Rupaul already has millions. He doesn't need that fracing money.

[@michaelcoogan7413]

@@themaggattack I wrote this 2 years ago and somewhat have a new opinion on the matter but I agree with what you have said

[@valleygirltotallyforsure]

Anytime somebody puts themselves out there haters will emerge. Whenever i hear people talk s*** I remind them that even if you dont care for someones art or music, etc, at least they are out there DOING IT. Rather than use their energy to spread negativity I challenge them to get off their ass and DO SOMETHING! Create something, inspire someone, ANYTHING! "God help you if you are an ugly girl, course too pretty is also your doom, cause everyone harbors a secret hatred for the prettiest girl in the room. And God help you if you are a phoenix, and you dare to rise up from the ash, a thousand eyes will smolder with jealousy as you are just flying past."

[@agnes2344]

❤✌FACTS✌❤

[@lashaaawn]

@@michaelcoogan7413And what is your opinion now? Curious to know.

[@sonnyburnett3888]

BTW if you need to know the song it's "Smalltown boy" by Bronski Beat

[@jomoland]

sonny burnett thanks! I was just wondering actually.

[@cndluluv]

sonny burnett such a great song, so many memories... perfect soundtrack to this video

[@wendybutler1681]

Ru walked into the dressing room and the energy immediately amped up. A force of nature.

[@lll-bm1cp]

Seeing these videos makes me feel many emotions, one if them is sadness because I know this is what life is supposed to be and I will never experience something like this in the 21st century

[@mauriciourquijo347]

OMGGG, Ru Paul slaying since memorable times!

[@pauli7457]

I love this channel, especially anything featuring baby RuPaul. It always makes me wonder what kind of films Nelson would be making today.

[@shefoldeditup]

That's absolutely amazing, so lucky to have been able to see this

[@richardc7869]

I hear Smalltown Boy!! I once shared poppers on the dancefloor with Jimmy Somerville at a club named Oz, in 1985 😆

[@highschoolbyeschool3908]

They are all so beautiful. It’s surreal the reality they lived in. I want it.

[@ericlopez9107]

The Bronski Beat "Small-town Boy" Playing in background....CLASSIC!!!

[@WinnieFinesse]

Your collection of film is amazing!

[@KM-ls4ne]

I'm sitting here thinking, okay, where's Bunny? She's that stick of a girl, not looking anyone in the eye!? Amazing. Thank you Nelson for filming all of this. You were a genius.

[@dottiestalski9022]

Look at baby bunny! 😉 Never seen such tiny hair ❤️ love them both her and Ru

[@whataboutredlorry]

Fantastic snapshot of the 80s...

[@therealsoulproduct]

Great tunes playing in the background: Bronski Beat, Pylon, The B-52's, and a dance remix of The Mexican by Babe Ruth.

[@kyfresh2death]

As a straight man you know I respect rupaul it takes balls to follow your dreams

[@Embalmher-vo5ob]

Love Nelsons videos! 😍😍

[@EatTheory]

“The Mexican” playing in the background. Amazing to hear it as intended 🇲🇽❤️

[@aviratica6370]

2019 and I still go the Pyramid Club.

[@dangerous8333]

What kind of garbage music do they play now?

[@isamarques5206]

My God, Ru with this pretty baby face! So gorgeous. ♥️♥️♥️

[@ladyofbutterflies9759]

Nelson is amazing.

[@pililja676]

Damn if I could go back in time for just one day or even just a few hours, I'd go here. The vibes are immaculate. And I'd get to see RuPaul perform live!

[@whataboutredlorry]

Ru is so pretty

[@squidge125]

This feels like before Ru really knew Nelson at all 'you got film in that camera buddy?' And the way people are talking as if he 'just came back' to the pyramid. Early days!

[@v.c.webster9250]

They knew each other well at this point.

[@rileyadams4589]

RuPaul has always had such a presence

[@madelinerene6805]

No cell phones...Love that...miss those simple days.

[@DianaDash]

so special

[@crypticvinforever6350]

I feel like ru loved these days way more than after he became famous. He truly KNEW he was special

[@CatharticCreation]

wow what a time to be alive!

[@eb1900]

amazing!

[@joycoughlan1262]

I can not believe i get to see this!

[@ladyofbutterflies9759]

Very nice video.

[@daniel13333]

Wow, I was 2 years old and my mother just gave birth to my sister when this was happening. I am 37 now

[@shepavedtheway]

Oh my word 💜💛🕉️☮️🩷🩵

[@kmjsmith]

What an intro song, what a video!

[@jadduck]

I guarantee you that Rupaul has watched all of these videos himself as well.

[@dangerous8333]

I bet he watches them often too. When he's feeling happy or sad. Needs to relax and unwind. I picture him with a glass of wine watching these and reminiscing, probably laughing and crying.

[@bigsky14]

young Bunny clutching her purse like she just saw old Bunny walk into the room

[@kellykells8120]

Everyone in that room looks like their dirty and smell like cigarettes and alcohol, lol... but i wish i was there with them. What a great video

[@themaggattack]

@Konga 5000 Because it IS an evil curse from hell. Have you ever watched someone die of lung cancer? Have you ever watched someone's jaw turn black and corrode and fall off? Someone you love? I watched it happen to my grandpa. Smoking IS an evil curse from hell.

[@uyoebyik]

1984 was the best year

[@Ariel692769]

Oh wow, I was just 2 months old when this was filmed. I feel young and old at the same damn time.

[@tylero8595]

I was 8 years old while they were having time of their lives.

[@FolkBoyify]

So so beautiful

[@karlkokett7473]

smalltown boy slaying🧚🏻‍♂️

[@staceytroffer8287]

Ru was so young and sweet. LOVE her.

[@Thomas11611]

Omg the guys are really freaking gorgeous lol. Wow.... I should have been a teenager in the 80's.

[@jlee7904]

Wow!

[@leonlasko926]

the guy Ru is talking to while he's sitting down looks like he could be Ru's brother what a cutie and Ru looks gorgeous here..

[@TheWoodstaShow]

RIP Pyramid 😭

[@theoyess]

only queens give an ordinary inanimate bathroom characters & personalities and make it multifunctional political space to rebell, express themselves & discuss some deep sh*t. Thank you Nelson - I'm still wondering why I miss you, despite not being met. Rest in power.

[@singingrose4377]

4:19 ru looking cute af

[@obsessed0805]

I need to know the song in 6:02 !!!!

[@JJ9715]

I was also wondering what song that is.

[@jonnysender9518]

it Jellybean's remake of the Mexican by Babe Ruth, B Boy Classic kzbin.info/www/bejne/b4HUdqGip9F9rJYsi=YnQHB4GHc-9ss61E&t=156 Original kzbin.info/www/bejne/oILPinWeesmDfposi=5HMF-Q7_ywS5u3cy

[@heather3158]

The guy in the white at 1:19 reminds me of Adore

[@BlondeRockChick]

It’s sad how much Nelson loved Rupaul . He helped Rupaul become who he was.. yet Rupaul never speaks about him . Acts like he was nothing. I noticed several were like that about Nelson. It’s sad. He cared for all his friends. Only true one that did. I heard ru took stuff from his place after he died and somebody else I can’t remember who and what it was exactly. But it was something a friend wouldn’t had done.. shame on those that treated Nelson like he was a bother , beneath them..I love Nelson I’d been so happy to been his friend.

[@kmjsmith]

2:20 "Do I look like a slave to you...?" 😂

[@petersavieri]

“What’s your name?” “RuPaul” Beyond iconic And with Bronski Beat - Small Town Boy playing in the background Nelson’s archive is one of the most precious things on the Internet

[@ashleysantiago4683]

I wish I lived in these times 😪😪😪 I hate it here now year 2021

[@evil-eye-protection5909]

Bunny!!!!!!

[@Musistics]

Ru's talking to himself in disguise. lmao 😂

[@nitelife1438]

3:08 doin that cocaine 😤

[@matemahe]

No or yes only degenerates would point it out

[@mariaager1924]

It’s almost in every video..

[@1marilynable]

It's so interesting to see Ru's life from back in the day and how the vibe was in the dressing room. I'm a drag queen too and the chatter in the dressing room is the same these days lol.

[@saintputch8707]

05:22 Naomi Smalls hung out with RuPaul back in the day when Ru was serving Pirate Ladyboy realness.

[@sexymodelboy]

Saint Putch lol

[@Ariel692769]

Who is that guy at the 5:22 mark?

[@tennyc]

I miss Hattie so much

[@giselecarrera437]

Wow I was only 8 yo rupaul is history !

[@glitchessence]

2:14 That's the "Bunny needs coke money" look right there!

[@GriffinAndThings]

It's so anxiety inducing seeing people not social distancing. Looking forward to being to close each other again.

[@phaethonprime6427]

It's a shame Ru never acknowledges this part of her life and seems almost ashamed of it.

[@shellyt556]

I disagree with that. Rupaul is private about what happened in those days doesn't mean he doesn't acknowledge it. It was a big part of where he is today.

[@arak5536]

What happened those days?

[@steveconteh3749]

the guy in the red shirt on 0:46 looks like Trixie Mattel out of drag

[@lokisfriend]

Bunny was 'passable' and sooo demure

[@gogosegaga]

lady bunny is all meek !!

[@stirlingsilver8880]

Smalltown boy in the background fighting to get into the room

[@tiffanymaurer3370]

Lil Rue, fierce girl! You better work!

[@yoyofun1]

Looks the same as being backstage at a drag show now haha

[@zl2240]

Where are these videos from?

[@towerofresonance4877]

24 years old man.

[@Greenterror]

Omg these are what real ppl look like unlike the photoshop and Botox with fillers we see today.

[@redboneshoneypot2960]

Everyone is high as fuck! 😅😅😅

[@matemahe]

I think is 😔 you feel the need to focus on that

[@michaelloparco2173]

Smalltown Boy in the back...

[@ysamgreen]

omg....not sure but its possible i could have been upstairs high on ecstasy making out with strangers this very evening. good times!

[@uberglamazon]

That was me ha!

[@kmjsmith]

Is it just me or does Lady Bunny always seem very stand-offish and unfriendly?

[@harrymonk6]

Where are all their girlfriends?