Nelson Tapes: The Last Analog Footage of 80's NYC

In a generation chock-full of self-documentation, the idea of recording our everyday lives is not at all astounding. With the help of social media, we not only record moments of our day but upload and share our experiences with whoever decides we’re cool enough to follow. To better understand our innate desire to chronicle our existence, l’d like to acknowledge a magical moment in time when someone decided to flip the camera and not only record the world around them but also themselves.

By day, Nelson Sullivan clocks in as a pianist working at a music shop. By night, he clocks out as a social butterfly embedded in NYC’s nightlife. Whether he was hanging out with a young and rambunctious RuPaul or attending parties thrown by the infamous “party monster” Michael Alig. He was living a life worth documenting. Sullivan initially planned on writing a book about his experiences, but that’s so 1982. With camcorders being the new hype in technology, why not record it?

Nelson’s Tapes captures the authentic experience of queer culture in NYC during the ‘80s. The camcorder became an extension of Nelson. He spent the next four years carrying a clunky VHS video camera with him to famedclubs; Area, The Pyramid Club, Saint, and Danceteria, to name a few. Nelson could have been a brick in the wall if it wasn’t for the occasional casual greeting, “Hi Nelson.” A subtle hello, as if the camera wasn’t there or as fi they didn’t fully grasp the significance.

After suffering from a hernia due to the camera’s weight. Nelson opted for a Hi8 camera. This video camcorder was smaller, more portable, and encourage a new type of documentation…vlogging.

“Thanks to his scrupulous attention, Nelson’s left behind atreasure trove of late-night videos that, even more than the Warhol diaries, trenchantly capture the party years in all their gleeful decadent fun.”

-Michael Musto

Remember, it’s the 80's. Camcorders were viewed as a novelty, relegated to birthday parties and baseball games. The idea of being a narrator of your own documented experiences was unfamiliar. Nelson did the unheard of by flipping his 8mm camera’s perspective. He became the main character of his videos. Strange looks from confused onlookers are caught on tape as they watch Nelson confidently chronicle his day into his lens. If pioneer of vlogging doesn’t get your attention, perhaps the notably famous guests will. Andy Warhol himself makes an appearance during a book signing at Fiorucci. Nelson attends Keith Haring’s New Year’s Eve party. Michael Alig has a birthday bash at McDonald’s, of all places.

Performances by famed Drag Queens, Deee-lite, and The Weather Girls. My personal favorite is watching him thrift shop with RuPaul in Atlanta. Watching Nelson’s Tapes is like witnessing his fondest memories.

“I think people will come to understand if you really want to know what it was like in the 1980s in New York, you have to watch Nelson Sullivan’s videos.”

-Marvin Taylor

Unfortunately, three days before quitting his job to pursue his cable television show, Nelson Sullivan died of a heart attack. During his final hours, he documented a calm walk to the pier with his friend from college, Bil Moye, and his dog Blackout. During the filming, Bil and Blackout take of running. “I don’t feel like running today.” Nelson says to the camera. He eerily finishes his sentence, “It’s July the 3rd and it’s the last day I’m gonna have…not to be running.” Nelson left behind

1,200 hours of perhaps the last analog footage showcasing New York City’s now romanticized downtown. That’s seven years of culture available for your viewing, thanks to The ninth Avenue Project now on YouTube.

Videography • Filmmaker • 1980's