| Marilyn Manson (birth name “Brian Hugh Warner” born January 5, 1969) is an American musician, founder and undisputed leader of the rock group “Marilyn Manson”.
He was married to Dita Von Teese (November 28, 2005 - December 29, 2006).
Early life:
Brian Warner (the future Marilyn Manson) was born on January 5, 1969 in Canton, Ohio, into the family of a nurse and a furniture trader. Since early childhood, his parents tried to inculcate love towards God (he even studied at a Christian school for boys). With age, Brian began thinking that religion is awfully unjust and preferred to be an atheist (but not a Satanist as the majority of his opponents consider him to be).
Actually, the public began to recognize Manson as a Satanist after his significant meeting with the founder and spiritual leader of the philosophical group known as Satanism, Anton Szandor LaVay, who awarded Manson with the honorable title of Reverend of the Churches of Satan. Later, in his autobiography “The Long Hard Road Out Of Hell”, Manson wrote about his impressions from the meeting with LaVay: “It sounded not much more convincing, than a five-minute consultation with a 50-dollar psychotherapist, but I pretended to be grateful and admired, since LaVay was not the person, who could be criticised”.
Musical career
Early years:
When Brian was 18 years old, he completed his schooling in Ohio and moved to Florida, where he found work in a local music magazine. There, he executed the functions of reporter and music critic and during his leisure time he composed verses. In 1989, Brian along with guitarist Scott “Daisy Berkowitz” Putesky formed the rock group. He decided to take the new name: Marilyn Manson, consisting of fragments of two names: Marilyn Monroe and Charles Manson. Also, his co participants in the group followed the leader; by choosing pseudonyms of a similar fashion (Scott Putesky turned into “Daisy Berkowitz”, Brian Tutunick – Olivia Newton Bundy, Perry Pandrea – Sza Sza Speck etc.)
The initial name of the group was “Marilyn Manson and The Spooky Kids”: Manson sang and Berkotiwz performed as the main guitarist and programmer of the drums. The earliest core members of the group included: Marilyn Manson (vocal), Daisy Berkowitz (guitarist and drummer), Olivia Newton Bundy (bass), Zsa Zsa Speck (keyboard). Newton Bundy and Speck soon left the group and Gidget Gein (bassist) and Madonna Wayne Gacy (keyboard) came into the group. Gidget Gein died on October 9, 2008 due to an overdose of heroin.
At first, the group performed as a warm-up for “Nine Inch Nails”. Trent Reznor liked the young collective and he became a friend and counselor to his performers. A tactfully thought advertising campaign at once put the leader and the vocalist of the group in the forefront leaving all the remaining members in the shadows. The logo of the group, created by them consisted of an inscription “MARILYN MANSON”, executed in the horror film style (“dripping” font) and the intended look of Marilyn Manson was positioned above the inscription and below the inscription a wild looking prototype of the stage name of Charles Manson. Practically at once a series of souvenirs with this image were released; also, the wide connections of Marilyn in journalistic circles helped the group in advertisements.
The rise to global popularity
The concert performances of the group were characterized by the wide use of various attractions; everything was used that could strengthen the impression: sandwiches with peanut oil, which were thrown from the stage, crucified or imprisoned girls, bald goatee heads, exposed and the use of open fire. Gacy (keyboard) had a small cabin, which was signed “Pogo’s Playhouse” in which all his synthesizers were located. Berkowitz could play even in a skirt, brassiere and long wig made from fair hair, his guitar hung very low and a cigarette stuck out of his mouth, supplementing an image of the “bad guy”. All this was used to achieve a maximum effect. |
Rock freak Marilyn Manson is celebrating his 40th birthday today. Born Brian Warner, the birthday guy rose to fame in the 1990s as the frontman of the metal band Marilyn Manson. He's been known for the freaky makeup appearance and outrageous stage performance. The name Marilyn Manson was formed from the first name of Marilyn Monroe and the last name of serial killer Charles Manson.
