His music couldn't have been too shabby as he used it to seduce a lot of members of the Family in the first place, it was arguably his biggest tool in getting young "recruits'" attention. Then of course came the acid, amongst other things, to brainwash and control them.

You could also argue, in a roundabout way, that even without his music he has influenced music as much as many successful artists of the time.

It says in the Helter Skelter, the book written by Vincent Bugliosi, the DA who sent him down for the murders, that Nine Inch Nails had no idea that they had recorded "The Downward Spiral" in a house where several of the Manson murders had taken place, can anyone shed any more light on how true this is. Hard to believe with all the references to "piggies" on the album. If they didn't, it's fucking spooky.

being Devil's Advocate - do you think you would feel the same way if you were more directly affected by the artists deeds ? There was a documentary on some time back about an artist (stonemason I think) who had created the most beautiful works of art but was a convicted paedophile - the families of the children involved wanted the works removed/smashed up. The doc was trying to explore the separation of art from artist. Can we do it? Should we?

Have you ever heard Scratchin' Peace Symbols On Your Tombstone' ? This song is awesome, regardless of what he became, he was a talented writer in a kooky kind of way.

I've just realised - I'm rapidly turning into a Charles Manson street teamer.

Save me someone!