Armey Asks Arena to Reconsider Manson Concert -- 03/19/1999

Armey Asks Arena to Reconsider Manson Concert

19 March, 1999

By Justin Torres
CNS Senior Staff Writer

(CNS) - Writing not as a politician but as "a father of five," House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-TX) sent a letter to the CEO of a Dallas, Tex., concert venue Wednesday, asking him to reconsider a scheduled March 23rd appearance by musical act Marilyn Manson.

In a letter to Brad Mayne, president and CEO of the Arena Group, which administers Reunion Arena in downtown Dallas, Armey claimed that the band had a history of "violence, drug abuse, and civil disorder" and advocated "suicide, torture, and murder." Armey, while admitting that "government has no place in deciding concert schedules," called upon Mayne to "take into consideration the problems associated with past Manson concerts and the potential negative consequences that this concert could have on our children and our community."

The band, headed by lead singer Marilyn Manson, formerly Brian Warner of Canton, Ohio, has been accused of glorifying suicide, drug use, and violence in their lyrics. Manson, who takes his stage name from actress Marilyn Monroe and serial murderer Charles Manson, has been the focus of much of the criticism. Manson has been charged with indecent exposure in several states, and has allegedly performed sexual acts on stage with several members of his band.

In his autobiography, The Long Hard Road Out of Hell, Manson recounts numerous sexual and drug-related episodes, including the use of a "torture machine" to wring sexual confessions out of fans backstage.

In a statement released yesterday, Reunion Arena general manager Dave Brown remarked that the arena administrators "understand and appreciate the concern Mr. Armey has about this particular concert," but "cannot now cancel a legally enforceable concert." Brown promised extra security at the concert and an internal review of booking procedures. Reached in Dallas, Brown had nothing further to add to his statement.

Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk had no comment on the concert or Armey's letter.

Armey spokesman James Wilkinson told CNS that Mr. Armey wrote the letter as a private citizen because he does not "in any way support censorship," but added that "freedom is a double-edged sword. Mr. Armey has the freedom to object to Manson's act."

Melody Morris, executive director of the Christian Family Network in Dayton, Ohio, has tracked Manson for several years. Morris says Manson attracts young people "through his outrageous behavior onstage. . . . The message in his music is detrimental to the young–advocating suicide and other immoral activities."

Repeated CNS requests for information from tour organizers and executives at Interscope/Nothing Records, Marilyn Manson's recording label, went unanswered.

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