The influence of the Beatles on Charles Manson

ne of the two great influences on the thinking of Charles Manson, along with the Book of Revelation, was the musical group the Beatles. According to Family members, Manson would most often quote "the Beatles and the Bible." The two influences were linked, in that Manson saw the four Beatles members as being the "four angels" referred to in Revelation 9. Revelation 9 also tells of "locusts"--the Beatles, of course--coming out upon the earth. It describes prophets as having "faces as the faces of men" but with "the hair of women"--an assumed reference too the long hair of the all-male English group. In Revelation 9, the four angels with "breastplates of fire"--electric guitars--"issued fire and brimstone"--song lyrics.

Manson believed that the Beatles spoke to him through their lyrics, especially those included in the White Album, released in December 1968. Several songs from the White Album crystalized Manson's thinking about a coming revolt by blacks against the white Establishment. He interpreted many of the songs idiosyncratically, believing, for example, that "Rocky Raccoon" meant black people and "Happiness is a Warm Gun" was a song about getting firearms to carry on the revolution rather than--more obviously--a song about sex.

The White Album played a key role in forging Manson's warped ideology. According to Family member Paul Watkins, "Before Helter Skelter came along, all Charlie cared about was orgies."

For those about to rock

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Crazy About "Layla"

In 1969, Clapton fell in love with Pattie Boyd, the wife of one of his best friends, Beatles' George Harrison. At about the same time, one of Clapton's friends gave him a copy of "The Story of Layla and Majnun" as written by Azerbaijani poet Nizami. The book moved Clapton profoundly as it was the tale of a young man who fell hopelessly in love with a beautiful, unavailable woman and who went crazy because he couldn't marry her. Clapton saw the correlation with his own life.

With the help of percussionist Jim Gordon, Clapton wrote a song based on his reaction to the story and called it "Layla." He hoped its message would convince Boyd to leave her husband for him. "Layla" was first recorded in 1970 by Derek & the Dominoes, Clapton's band at the time and was featured on the album "Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs." Another title on the album, "I Am Yours," was also inspired by the same 12th century epic poem by Nizami.

When the album came out, Clapton played the music for Boyd, gave her a copy of the book, and declared his love for her. They had a brief affair, but she broke it off and refused to leave her husband. But due to Clapton's persistence, he eventually did succeed in marrying her several years later. The marriage ended unhappily in divorce in 1988. Even though the romance didn't last, Eric Clapton's song "Layla" has maintained its popularity and is considered by some to be one of rock music's definitive love songs.