Here's something weird. I'm reading a book about the rock scene in Laurel Canyon in the late 1960s. Charles Manson is mentioned. Rock musicians Neil Young, Dennis Wilson of the Beach Boys and producer Terry Melcher (Paul Revere and the Raiders) are all said to have thought highly of him as a musician. So out of curiosity I listened to one of his songs, Look at Your Game Girl. They were right. Manson is a very good singer and a good songwriter. Listen for yourself.
I in no way condone what he did nor do I admire him in any way. But had Manson chosen another path he had a chance to be a success in the music business.
I've been meaning to reply to this post. In the 1980's and even the 1990's I used to hang out a lot in used book stores and record shops shooting the shite.
I remember one day hearing a melodious folkish type song on the turntable (albums back then although I see they have made a kind of click like comeback) and I asked the manager what was playing. He said Charles Manson. At that time I didn't even know he was a musician. My jaw dropped. The song didn't fit the image. I was meaning to pursue the matter but I never did.
Dennis Wilson was a rabid partier and from what I have read record people like Melcher thought Manson was ok but not really worth a contract. This set Charlie off big time. The house where Tate and the gang were murdered in was where Dennis Wilson used to live. One theory claims Charlie wanted Wilson's head as revenge. But that is debatable.
If you are interested in Manson stuff I recommend you read the hot book "Chaos." Then you might want to watch what I thought was probably the best movie last year "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" starring Brad Pitt. That movie feels authentic except for the Playboy mansion scene where none of the chicks were nude. In this no tits allowed era we live in that is not surprising. The hell with historical accuracy when it comes to sex. The director played loose with a few other key things but I don't want to spoil things.
If you like juicy conspiracy theories with wide spreading repercussions "Chaos" is a book you won't be able to put down. And it puts a whole new light on now deceased Doris Day and her wandering son. The book will give you chills and not just because of Charlie.