Why did Daisy Berkowitz leave the band Marilyn Manson?

by

Marilyn Manson, during the ’90s, was undeniably the most contentious band, a title that speaks volumes. They thrived on shocking parents and scaring teenagers, which led to massive album sales and numerous collaborations with other prominent rock legends.

Today, the band remains active, yet it’s generally agreed that their 90s lineup, featuring Marilyn Manson as lead vocalist, Twiggy Ramirez on bass, and Daisy Berkowitz on guitar, is the period people look back on with nostalgia. However, Berkowitz’s time with the band ended in conflict during their peak success in 1996.

Daisy Berkowitz left the band in 1996

Scott Putesky, who later became known as Berkowitz, was an original member of Marilyn Manson, forming the group in 1989. However, he chose to depart during the recording process for their critically acclaimed second album, “Antichrist Superstar.” This decision stemmed from his discomfort with the band’s evolving direction as they gained popularity, and a growing sense that his creative influence was being marginalized within the group.

During a 2014 interview with Vice, Berkowitz explained his departure by stating, “I left due to lack of respect and recognition for my work.” He added that he had prepared numerous demos for the album, but the other band members were hesitant to record them. Berkowitz expressed his feelings, saying, “My input was being gradually diminished,” and concluded, “That essentially sums it up.

Although Berkowitz initially clashed with the rest of the band, remarkably, he still managed to secure four songwriting credits for the album “Antichrist Superstar“. One of these, “Tourniquet,” even became a standalone single. However, the guitarist later took legal action, asserting that despite the album achieving platinum status, he had never received his rightful royalties.

Berkowitz sued Marilyn Manson for $15 million

Berkowitz filed a lawsuit against the band for $15 million, and MTV reported that the case was eventually resolved outside of court. Even though Marilyn Manson has continued to thrive, the guitarist is glad he chose to depart when he did. In fact, he feels relieved about his decision. “The band has transformed every year, with each album cycle,” he remarked. “Since my departure, there’s been no real concern for maintaining the same lineup or the same songwriters.

Daisy Berkowitz continued to perform music with different groups following his departure from Marilyn Manson, such as Three Ton Gate, Jack Off Jill, and Stuck on Evil. Additionally, he put out a solo album titled “Millenium Effluvium” in 2014. Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer in 2013 and passed away on October 22, 2017, at the age of 49.

In response to Berkowitz’s passing, Manson expressed in a statement the unique bond they shared through their music. “Scott Putesky and I created exceptional music together,” the singer penned on Instagram. “Though we had our disagreements along the way, I will cherish the good times forever.

Read More

2025-04-24 22:00