Six facts about murderous cult leader Charles Manson

Charles Manson, the wild-eyed cult leader who orchestrated a string of gruesome killings in Southern California by his "family" of young followers, shattering the peace-and-love ethos of the late 1960s, died on Sunday, prison officials said. He was 83.

Here are six facts aboutManson, the hippie-era cult leader and serial murderer:

• While in prison in Washington state in the early 1960s,Mansonbefriended Alvin "Creepy" Karpis, who had been allied with the deadly Barker bank robbery gang in the 1930s. Karpis taughtMansonto play guitar and in a 1980 memoir he described "Little Charlie" as lazy but having "a pleasant voice and pleasing personality, although he's unusually meek and mild for a convict."
• The powers of manipulation thatMansonused on his followers were honed in prison when he took a class based on "How to Win Friends and Influence People," the 1936 book by self-help guru Dale Carnegie, according to the biography "Manson."
• Hoping to boost his music career,Mansonbecame friends with Beach Boys drummer Dennis Wilson and producer Terry Melcher. He later became upset with Melcher, who was the son of actress Doris Day, because he did not make a record with him. The first round of murders byManson's followers occurred in the house where Melcher had previously lived.
• Before the killings, the Beach Boys recorded a songMansonwrote titled "Never Learn Not to Love." Later, Guns N' Roses recorded his "Look at Your Game Girl" and MarilynManson, whose stage name was partly inspired by the killer, used lyrics fromManson's "Mechanical Man" in his song "My Monkey." Trent Reznor, front man for the band Nine Inch Nails, lived in the house where the Tate murders occurred.
• Mansonwas anything but a model prisoner after his conviction in the Tate-LaBianca murders. He was involved in frequent fights, set his mattress on fire, was disciplined for possessing weapons and selling drugs to inmates and often refused to participate in rehabilitation programs or psychiatric evaluation. He suffered serious burns in 1984 when an inmate set him on fire.
• According to movie lore, Anthony Hopkins studied videotapes ofMansonin preparation for his role Hannibal Lecter in "Silence of the Lambs," but Hopkins denied it.

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