The evolution of what would one day become Marilyn Manson began in Canton, Ohio on January 5, 1971. There a baby boy named Brian Warner was born to a world that would eventually, in many cases, rise up against him. Much of the future fury was anticipated, much of it was based on false premise, but all of it was enjoyed, if not desired, by the original rocker.Marilyn Mason's music career began in Tampa Bay, Florida in 1989. Working occasionally as a music journalist and interested in the freedom of speech that so many media types hold dear (ironic, considering his future struggles for fair representation), Warner created a band called 'Marilyn Manson and the Spooky Kids' with a mission to "explore the limits of censorship". The band, consisting of Manson, bassist Olivia Newton-Bundy (later replaced by Gidget Gein), Daisy Berkowitz (guitar), keyboardist Zsa Zsa Speck (later replaced by Madonna Wayne Gacy), and Sara Lee Lucas (drums), defined themselves from the start. Each member choose a last name of a notorious murderer and a forename of a prolific female celebrity.
Very quickly the band's shocking image caught the attention of Nine Inch Nail's frontman Trent Reznor and his label, Nothing Records. After gaining considerable local recognition, the band released their first successful record, Portrait of an American Family, which was soon certified gold. The success of American Family lead to Marilyn Manson tour dates with NIN and the band's first taste of real controversy. In 1994 Manson found two titles placed upon him: "Reverend", from the Church of Satan founder Anton LaVey; and "criminal", as he found himself in jail for exposing himself during a Florida gig.