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Why Did Dennis Wilson of The Beach Boys Beat Up Charles Manson?

The Beach Boys’ friendship with Charles Manson began in 1968, when throughout the summer, Manson and his family cult forged an odd and fleeting contact with Beach Boys drummer Dennis Wilson. But did you know Dennis Wilson ended up in a physical fight with Charles Manson?

 In the summer of 1968, Dennis Wilson of The Beach Boys assaulted Charles Manson after he threatened him with a bullet. Wilson grabbed Manson by the head and threw him to the ground and began pummeling him.

Dennis Wilson’s Meeting With Charles Manson

Dennis Wilson guided his Ferrari into the driveway of his rented Los Angeles mansion at three o’clock on an April morning in 1968, after a long night of recording with The Beach Boys, the platinum-selling band he had founded with his brothers Brian and Carl and their cousin, Mike Love. Outside, Wilson observed a beat-up school bus with lights flashing inside.

The rock star welcomed visitors because he enjoyed having a good time and urged friends to come over, but he didn’t recognize the bus. Wilson, a 23-year-old man, had parked his car. A long-haired man with a scraggly beard stepped out as he proceeded cautiously toward his residence.

Are you going to hurt me?

Dennis Wilson, The Beach Boys

Dennis Wilson Welcomed Manson to His Home and Even Introduced Him to Business Leaders

Wilson didn’t understand it at the time, but he had offered his home to Manson and his 20 or so female associates for an indefinite period of time.

He didn’t seem to mind at first: the free-spirited drummer was used to taking up hitchhikers and entertaining a wide range of individuals at his home. Manson, in particular, struck him as a fascinating figure, a musician with deep and unique notions about how the world functioned. (Source: History Net)

Was Manson Part of The Beach Boys’ Record Label?

Manson frightened the other Beach Boys as well. In his memoir, Good Vibrations, singer Mike Love recounted how he went to Wilson’s for supper only to discover everyone there naked. The LSD-fueled after-dinner orgy was too much for him, so he excused himself to take a shower, only for Manson to come in and reprimand him for leaving.

Wilson, on the other hand, believed in Manson’s musical abilities and arranged a recording session with the Beach Boys’ label, Brother Records. This, however, ended severely when Manson drew a knife to convey his annoyance with the studio engineer. (Source: Biography)

Charles Manson’s Reputation as a Notorious Crook and the Aftermath of His Crimes

On August 8, Manson issued an order for everyone at 10050 Cielo Drive to be killed. Melcher had moved out months before, leaving Sharon Tate, Roman Polanski’s wife, and a few acquaintances as the unfortunate victims.In 1971, jurors found Manson and four of his followers guilty of the murders and sentenced them to death; however, when the death penalty was abolished in California in 1972, the sentence was reduced to life in prison. Manson is now incarcerated in Corcoran State Prison in Kings County, California, at the age of 82. Dennis Wilson, Charlie’s old pal, drowned in 1983 when swimming while inebriated. (Source:History Net)

1 thought on “Why Did Dennis Wilson of The Beach Boys Beat Up Charles Manson?”

  1. Rene Diedrich

    This is curiously cryptic. The incident between Wilson and Manson probably occurred in 1969 . In 68 things were groovy but Charlie’s downard spiral began in mid 69 when tensions escalated between Wilson Melcher and Charlie. Charlie asked Wilson for cash. Dennis said no. Charlie gave him a bullet and Wilson asked, “what’s this?” Charlie said I want you to keep and whenever you look at it think about how good it is tho have your son safe with you. Charlie hit a nerve and Denis beat the hell out of him in front of Melcher and a few friends at his place. Charlie was hollering ow! Ow! And was tearful when his whipping ended. Everyone was laughing at him. Charlie hated that and this could e been a catalyst for the horror that followed. The story about Dennis witnessing a murder Charlie committed somebody bogus. Love just wants to sell his book. However there were probably murders before the Tate slaughter and the Tex tapes may have a lot of info aon that

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