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Henry Rollins Reveals He Produced Charles Manson Album

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Rock 'n' roll has produced many odd collaborations, but this might be the craziest yet. Notorious punk rocker Henry Rollins has revealed that he helped convicted murderer Charles Manson produce an album of acoustic songs in the '80s. Rollins says the project, called 'Completion,' made it to the test pressing phase but was never released through Black Flag's label, SST Records, because of the public's resistance.

According to the Guardian, Rollins played one of the songs from the session during a spoken word performance in Los Angeles on Dec. 9, which was a benefit for KCRW, the non-profit radio station where he hosts his own weekly program. During the performance, he explained how a lawyer representing Manson -- who is incarcerated for his involvement in 1969's Tate/LaBianca murders -- approached the label about completing and releasing the record.

Death threats prompted SST to cancel the project, of which five test copies were pressed on vinyl. Rollins, who kept two of them, had previously only admitted in a 2008 interview to briefly being pen pals with Manson in 1984.

"I'd always know I'd have a letter in my PO Box from him because the woman behind the counter at the post office would give you this awful look," Rollins told NME. "His letters would always have swastikas on them so they were easy to spot."

Last year, Manson reportedly sought the musical advice of fellow convict Phil Spector, who refused to see him. Talk about keeping the musical dream alive ...

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Ron

if this gets released, and possible proceeds should go to charlie and the family followers victims families...

January 05 2011 at 1:08 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Averagedancer

Is it just me, or does Mr. Rollins have the same maniacal glint in the eyes as Mr. Manson? Two peas in a pod, maybe. Someone ought to consider digging up Mr. Rollins' back yard. Might find a body or two.

December 16 2010 at 7:47 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply