MovieChat Forums > The Six Degrees of Helter Skelter (2009) Discussion > Don't think I'm crazy but...

Don't think I'm crazy but...

posted 11 years ago by childers-3
8 replies | jump to latest

Did anyone else kind of like Manson's version of a song (can't remember the title) that was eventually re-recorded and re-named by the Beach Boys? I thought he actually had a nice singing voice. If he'd not had his hangers-on and gotten just a little bit of help from music producers, his path may have gone in a totally different direction. I think in the end he just wanted fame and money (like most of us do), and if he couldn't get the attention for something positive, he would get attention from the negative.

I still think he has a screw loose, though.

Loved this documentary. Very informative and the host was quite entertaining!

"Well, make something up!"/RG

[–] chailey 11 years ago

If he'd not had his hangers-on and gotten just a little bit of help from music producers, his path may have gone in a totally different direction.

Actually, he did get help from music producers. Dennis Wilson of the Beach Boys tried to help him several times (much to the dismay of the other Beach Boys and their manager), including getting some music demos produced. Manson had the name of a big time producer from one of his old prison pals, and he met with him too. And, of course, he met with producer Terry Melcher, whose temporary stay at Cielo Drive led to tragic consequences for the later tenants. Manson refused to cooperate with the recording studio engineers who were trying to help him with his demo and was never on his best behavior with those folks.

Manson was a poor musician and his voice was just adequate. He just wasn't all that good, and there were plenty of aspiring rock musicians in LA at that time to pick and choose from. I agree that there were probably plenty of others who weren't much better than him (voicewise) that did get contracts though.

For a really detailed rundown on Manson's attempts to break into the music biz, I'd suggest the new biography Manson, that just came out.

[–] LuvvieHowell 10 years ago

Manson is a sick, dangerous lunatic who belongs in prison for the rest of his life (and he'll probably die soon; he's pushing 80.) Now, that being said, listen to "Look at your Game Girl" sung by him in 1969...I actually think his voice is excellent, and his musical stylings impressive for someone with no formal training of any kind.

He had a real shot at making it, but his narcissism, paranoia, and general hatred of everything destroyed it. He ruins everything he touches..everything and everyone. I feel weird listening to him sing, and actually enjoying it, because he wreaked havoc on dozens, if not hundres, of lives.

[–] starchild438 10 years ago

I thought the same thing. I don't really remember it now, but I remember having the same reaction. I think when people have mental problems to begin with, failing at your dream can be disastrous. You have to remember the man is legitimately insane.

[–] dhmason6155 10 years ago

I'm quite sure he's a card-carrying psychopath, and ten out of ten experts would agree. Technically, a psychopath is not actually insane. They simply have no conscience. Hurting and killing people and doing horrible things, and wreaking havoc on society simply doesn't bother them.

The closest thing to an "insane" person would be a schizophrenic. They hear voices, see sounds, have hallucinations, etc.

Too bad for Charlie. He came within an inch of landing a deal with Terry Melcher, until Terry heard about the "Lotsapoppa Crowe" shooting. But Charlie being Charlie, I'm sure he would've blown it sooner or later, even if he became successful.

We got a job.
What kind?
...The Forever Kind.

[–] starchild438 10 years ago

But more than just psychopathic. If you listen to recent interviews he just doesn't make any sense. I don't think that's a characteristic of being psychotic. Though, that's probably a result of all the years being locked up.

[–] dhmason6155 9 years ago

He's faking it. Manson likes to put on the "Crazy Charlie" act for most people who try to interview him. The only exception would be Nuel Emmons, who helped him write "Manson in his own words". Emmons had been a prison buddy from way back, and probably the only writer Manson trusted.

We got a job.
What kind?
...The Forever Kind.

[–] KillerRomance 9 years ago

Manson's singing voice wasn't earth shattering, I heard better. He would have faded for being outdated.

[–] dhmason6155 8 years ago

Charlie's music was stunningly, amazingly... average. He sounded like every other hippie folksinger at the time.

We got a job.
What kind?
...The Forever Kind.