Taking the 8th Avenue subway uptown from 14th Street to behind Carnegie Hall in 1986

[@atsco.9613]

Captures life as it really was then. Not like today. Nelson you are missed my friend. 🙏

[@michaelhughes3302]

Holy shit. Nelson captured so much more of NYC in the eighties than just gay nightlife. He worked at Paletson music store just across from Carnegie Hall. Joe Paletson his boss manning the camera, is absolute unicorn gold. What an incredible archive of history we have here. Simply amazing.

[@drinkingpoolwater]

it really is. new york in the 80s is a time i romanticize a lot so i love watching these videos and feeling like i’m a part of the scene

[@Aforgottenempire]

7:57 "Why would you want to take pictures of this? " 30 years ago and now we can see the day in the life of working at the music shop.

[@nelsonsullivanhd9908]

I really hope that young man got the answer to his question.

[@Mr.Robert1]

@@nelsonsullivanhd9908 Somebody should have told him to close his eyes if he didn't like it. it's history

[@lightspeed388]

Two beautiful soul's shall live on forever. The soul of this store, where many famous musicians have congregated shall now have Immortality thanks to Nelson, who shall also live on forever in the hearts and minds of thousands of people. 🙏💙

[@merville78]

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. Thank you for these time capsules. R.I.E.P Nelson. You were way ahead of your time.

[@BuddhistProdigy]

He really knew how to tell a story with his camera.

[@DannyEastVillage]

THIS is the New York I fell in love with. And no, much of it was not beautiful--especially a lot of the West side. But New York was fun and exciting in ways hardly retrievable today. And despite how dirty it was and how ghastly the subways were, we loved her all the same. I will forbear to comment on what the Meatpacking District has turned into; however, I will say--we sure used to have fun between those parked trucks on Sunday nights. ;) . And, oh, God! Patelson's--right behind Carnegie Hall. I can remember how it smelled--and what a pleasant, quiet, quintessentially New York place it was! And, of course, they had everything; or, could get it for you in a day or two.

[@DannyEastVillage]

@@peregrino9154 the purpose of what? demonstrating that I'm a responsible citizen and healthcare professional?

[@aveuch]

Surprised to associate NYC with quiet or quaint.

[@TS-qq7vr]

Anyone ever think if Nelson Sullivan had lived he would've had the most poignant footage of September 11?

[@erikalynnpennella2667]

Oh ya!!!

[@JoyJoke]

I hadn’t thought about that, but that is a very good thought! He does live in the city, and by that time, he probably would have had a good camera.

[@Mr_LMT_93]

I've thought about that, he'd be like 'I'm here now we are evacuating New York city because there's been a terrorist attack on the world trade centres both buildings oh shit I need to go back to the house and get Blackout and then we're gonna go on the ferries now getting out OMG... 😟"

[@dangerous8333]

Perhaps.

[@Mr.Robert1]

No

[@blakemcnamara9105]

It's weird how the '80s is close enough to the present that it's relatable enough but at the same time distant. That will change as we continue through this century.

[@blakemcnamara9105]

@Roger Com What the fuck is your problem?

[@c5quared626]

@@blakemcnamara9105 lol what did he say? anyway yes. love showing my kids this stuff. like when i went to nyc as a 12 yr old, that was it. places like the bronx were very rough.

[@LeahLeah222]

Two things are still the same: people bumrushing onto the train without letting the passengers off first. And scaffolding everywhere.

[@jakehands]

And people still wear clothes.

[@timsummers870]

The subway looks just as unsanitary today as well. It's a dramatic difference between the NY subway and the Toronto TTC, which is so clean.

[@kumikonaito7348]

Don’t forget the damn noise!

[@JohnSmith-gq9gn]

@@timsummers870 Toronto doesn't have near the density of people that New York has.

[@timsummers870]

@@JohnSmith-gq9gn It's no excuse to be filthy. I know both cities well and understand their difference in size but NY can do a much better job at cleaning their transit nonetheless.

[@Musistics]

Seriously the best depiction of the 80's hands down. You wouldn't believe it was a Paramount back lot at all, and Ru Paul looks amazing in your videos. He doesn't age. I love Nelson's voice too. Makes me want to follow him like a puppy. Have a great day love. 💋

[@mattjarvie6443]

These videos capture a period in time that would be forever lost if it were not for these videos. Just look at how grimy and REAL NYC was back then. It is a far cry from the sterile tourist trap it is today.

[@DOOMGENERATION]

I agree, that's the same way I feel about my hometown Berlin. I just have to shake my head and giggle when people move here and gush about how "cool" and amazing this city is. I guess you people feel the same about NYC.

[@Nemie125]

London is exactly the same. Developers have destroyed all the magic. It looks pretty, but it's no longer interesting.

[@mickeymouse2able]

the trains were hot and dirty in those days. Ugh! Do you REALLY want to go back to those days? I get it though. The West Village is not what it used to be. No more gay bars and diners, etc. It's all sterile looking stores and boutiques. Oh well, time marches on.

[@bobbigarcia882]

Dude everything including the train looks like it does in movies and cartoons where the subway is full of graffiti with newspaper strewn across the floor

[@musicaltheatergeek79]

NYC in the '70s and '80s was crime-ridden, dangerous, and a shithole! The city nearly went bankrupt in the former decade. I don't know why people romanticize the grime. Folks used to crack jokes about visiting NYC and hoping they don't get murdered. It's much safer now. Why is that a bad thing?

[@GeorgeStar]

Thank you for the time capsule.

[@bearclawgirl6866]

Not only were nelsons friends talented and soon to be famous, Patelsons was "the" place to buy music for musicians.

[@tommack8650]

I miss this era so much! NYC was still old school cool. East village was still 'cool', west village was 'danger', and the meat district was 'worse'. And everyone was chill. Thanks for the great memories 😎

[@mixedhairless]

you my friend are my link to the past.. I thank you.. Cant wait for more hidden gems from you from the NY that i know and love.... ahhhhh those were the days

[@bearclawgirl6866]

Interesting how his work associates were so aware of the camera and not comfortable, but his friends and his nightlife crew either were used to it or loved being on camera.

[@TheNomadicview]

That was the real paradox of Nelson's collection. Most of the people he featured seem to love being caught on video- a kind of micro-celebrity- and then sometimes they seem to be annoyed at being recorded candidly and au naturel.

[@kleve_1]

now this is the nyc i grew up in.... ahhh memories

[@SusieSynth]

han hanzo hello fellow moonwalker

[@kleve_1]

@@SusieSynth indeed!

[@gnogko]

Thanks to share with us the emotions witch come from this vids! It's was a time capsule journey on the underground! Kiss from Napoli , Italy

[@excelerater]

Great vid,in 1986 I worked at 111 8th ave ,good memories for me and of the 80s ..thx for the vid

[@robertaglass]

Patelson's was a great store. Really nice staff.

[@allispire5921]

I could smell that subway station.

[@Mynewlife2025]

Even in Australia, the smell wouldn't be much different. Subways have that unique kind of smell.

[@8avexp]

I remember Patelson's. Used to go there to buy scores and an occasional record.

[@bartolomeestebanmurillo4459]

To think Joseph Patelson Music Store closed 23 years after this was taped.

[@kiki_yagelovskaya]

"Why would you wanna take pictures of me?" Wonder what he would say if he knew tenthousands of people would watch that in the 2020ies. 😊

[@Bates1960]

No Cell phones! No Texting, back when life was so good.

[@Charlesbjtown]

Batesmotel1960 Says the guy that is on KZbin, and more than likely on his cell phone.

[@computername]

For sure that's exactly what people would have commented on this video if they saw it in 1986 - "Life is so good".

[@Carlos-nq7up]

@@SatansFire Heil Satan!! LMFAO!! Too funny!!!

[@alvinwhitley8020]

@@Charlesbjtown its Nelson Sullivan and he died in 1989. He lived and hung around with Rupaul and other NYC nightlife legends. He developed an style that he could hold his circa 89 vidioe camera. This July is the 30th anniversary of his death. He lived at 5 9th ave, in the meatpacking district of Manhattan, now very posh .

[@blueriver4484]

@@Charlesbjtown you just dont get it, do you? Smh

[@devingademan]

05:34 For anyone who is interested; that is the CitySpire (at 150 West 56th Street) under construction. Construction started the year before this video in 1985. Thank you for all your videos, Nelson. -Devin

[@icecreamforcrowhurst]

1:02 Gil Scott-Heron Saturday June 7 👍🏻

[@JohnnyTubeNYC]

The contrast of Classical music lovers vs the village Club kids!

[@RailpaxScott]

It would be interesting to see the same route covered in video today.

[@80sForever29]

That guy wearing a red shirt and glasses in the music store is just so cute

[@brucewebb1114]

I love these videos from Nelson. It is life in a time I lived.

[@eily_b]

At 2:00 when filming the underground he is panning and zooming out. Awesome!

[@Qboro66]

I turned 20yrs. old 10 days later. My most favorite year!

[@fezzyfestoon]

The sound of the subway brakes will never leave my brain.

[@TheSPEEZY99]

Its like he new times were going to drastically change so he recorded it all.

[@LaurenOliviArt]

And to think the subway looks the same today!!!

[@marks238]

A great historical time capsule of 80s NYC

[@afroqueen99]

time machine capsules thx for the dose

[@HeldenFurlong]

Thank you for this!

[@kenpoe3114]

just around the time the mets took the city.its i remember the week it was kinda of warm out.what a time...

[@TS-qq7vr]

Ask Bill Buckner.

[@Charlesbjtown]

Cherrelle with new edition concert @ 0:59!! Bet that concert was 🔥🔥.

[@acex1322]

Who would of thought 25-30+ years later people will blog for a living

[@lesterclaypool1]

I wonder if anyone today would understand what an intimate relationship with music Nelson would have had to have had to work at Patelson Music?

[@aveuch]

It's difficult to comprehend a music store before cassettes or CDs. It's all so brown. Reminds me of working in the microfilm dept of my college research library. I've shopped for vinyl but always aware that it was second hand.

[@rainey1987]

Everyone's so camera shy

[@TheBassgurl]

Oh god, I'm homesick for a place that no longer exists. How I miss you 1980s NYC!

[@THXEB-nj5wr]

excellent video!

[@avalondreaming1433]

How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Take a lot of subways

[@GreggBennett-j3p]

The nyc of my 20’s. Great times.

[@nautilus9015]

Sometimes master poets are discovered after death. I think Nelson new exatly what he was doing...

[@Zeus0886]

Look how traffic was flowing back then. Cars moving freely. Now it’s takes 20mins to move 2 blocks.

[@asteverino8569]

The New York City I knew in 1987. Thanks.

[@TrainmasterCurt]

Too bad they don’t have one of Nelson going to a Mall!

[@crow33215]

They do, two I believe. He went to the mall with RuPaul and another with his mom who bought him clothes

[@HorrorTubeHDTV]

The simple days, with no phones/social media.. miss it.

[@mattcurti686]

Store closed in 2009 after 89 years of operation

[@artelmiller642]

I remember around this time back in the day even the. MTA subways smelled much better than how it does now, that's just how I feel..

[@QtheMisanthrope]

lol the guy at 7:20 is my spirit animal

[@ym8342]

There are still lots of places that live in the 80s without cellphones

[@fernandosalas8589]

Nice job 👍 I was 15.

[@CherryGroveArchives]

such a treasure trove.

[@Carlos-nq7up]

Was this Nelson's job, place where he worked ??

[@eily_b]

Yes

[@teeniebeenie8774]

can almost smell the subwys,,,such vicseral subwy shots they still ike this? loud, shakey, clanky, scarey.... patelsons still there? hope so 'sabotage my heart'....bits n pieces, treasures

[@eily_b]

No. Closed a long time ago and the building has been demolished. 😕

[@dennybenz5846]

No body was uptight then seeing someone video them. Now a days people will not like it and immediately think by doing so they will be on utube.

[@iSynthh]

well they have a point

[@iSynthh]

I guess because it was such a rare sight to see someone using a camera like this one back then

[@TS-qq7vr]

You really didn't watch any of the footage of him at work, did ya? They weren't keen on it.

[@richardc7869]

Ahhh... the days when you had no money until you got that check cashed 😆

[@guydreamr]

And now you don't until direct deposit kicks in. 🤣🤣

[@alexkastano96]

they closed the joint in 2009...

[@mikeqwert3183]

30 years ago cool

[@jameslaumand3686]

I wish subway that flys cool

[@c5quared626]

5:19 she waved! she's gotta be someone's grandma today, let's find some of these ppl

[@PeterShieldsukcatstripey]

Nelson's neighbourhood is starting to feel familiar now.

[@davidefacchinetti2084]

To all of the New Yorkers out there - what’s the main difference between New York in 1986 & New York in 2019 ?

[@Mynewlife2025]

New York was truly one of the very few big mega cities of the world, at this time Shanghai, Dubai were like small towns.

[@seldomseenkidjonathandoher7361]

Mets still haven't won a World Series

[@luciendesar]

that same subway train is now on the F line. Nothing changed in that regard :)

[@jameslaumand3686]

Real real real real real real real real real

[@chesza]

I'm from south africa and i was born 3 years and 5 months later on the 23 day

[@Mynewlife2025]

You missed out on quite a good decade.

[@michaelwarren6467]

That bus must have been brand new! No graffiti on it! Lol Ahhh, the city so nice they named it twice, New York, New York!

[@GeneralHawk505]

Funny to think those buses are from the 60s!

[@Msciwoj-j4x]

It's exactly how I remember visiting Manhattan in the early 2000s as a teenager

[@robbiedimes]

2007 and beyond is a different story lol

[@sammavacaist]

Imagine there was a time when people hated being filmed.

[@NKDuisburg02]

It is still a thing.

[@rawdawgg_]

Crazy to think I was 4 months old

[@timsummers870]

New York looked so dilapidated in the late 1980s. It's still filthy in many areas today, especially the subway, but it's much better nowadays compared to three decades before.

[@Joel-np9vl]

How cool would it be to go back in time with a new type of camera

[@jasonjohnson5476]

October 1986 and nobody wearing a Mets hat.

[@barfill24]

Somethings Just don't Change

[@chrisbrunson948]

Thanks for the video. It just goes to show you how SEGREGATED NYC was during this day.

[@stuartlee6622]

And safer!!!!

[@focusedfreebird]

NYC looks like a big sewer back then

[@jayrockhammer]

and it was filled with the best people. artists, creatives. it may be clean now, but its filled with white privilege frat bros now. its so sad

[@Bombardier2199]

Back when those sweet R46s were only 11 Years old!

[@Musistics]

Morning cutey. You and Blackout need play dates?

[@JRS814]

Omg hes that close to the subway train? nowadays you'd get pushed

[@EdwinSimmons-nv6tf]

I’m going to bed. I now live on a lake in Alabama and get bored and sleepy easily.

[@azeminak112]

E train r46 subway car in 1986

[@cmmr26]

Did they sell cds in 1986? 😯

[@robbiedimes]

No

[@Bthe312]

Yes

[@PeterShieldsukcatstripey]

A sensitive soul.

[@michaelmorin6235]

❤

[@eleonoraperelman9789]

Would be crazy if that's Trump at 5:14.

[@EdwinSimmons-nv6tf]

Do look up Lahomma. She’s the only one who survived with her dignity. The rest of the gang will find excuses or blame others for their behavior.

[@TomLohre49]

Wow, I can post comments with my android but not on my desktop:(

[@Videocipher]

Tom Lohre you ever get that straightened out?

[@robbiedimes]

@@Videocipher hahahaha

[@charlyl9252]

If this video was filmed in 1986, and the use of double lleetteerrss was discontinued in 1985, then why does it still say LL, it should say L.

[@arikq_nyc438]

Mta was too lazy to change the signs, they still are

[@chrisrocker271]

KZbinr in the 80s... ..

[@StuyJamaicaYonkers]

I was 2 waab

[@apelsin3]

If Nelson knew what meat market look will look like in future he will be so disgusted.

[@PeterShieldsukcatstripey]

Back before samantha moved in.