So due to the graphic nature of this story, listener discretion is advised.

This episode includes depictions of murder, violence, and substance use.

Consider this when deciding how and when you'll listen.

In 1966, John Lennon discussed the changing landscape of religion with a reporter from the London standard.

To make his point, he quipped that his band The Beatles was more popular than Jesus

now. Whether that was true or not, they'd achieved a cult-like fandom.

The kind seen today among K-pop fans and Swifties,

the kind most aspiring rock stars only dream of.

In 1969, the Beatles hadn't toured in three years, but their

devoted fans remained, spinning records on repeat. Chief among them, Charles Manson.

He had his own cult following, and to them he wasn't just more popular than Jesus.

He was Jesus.

And when Jesus told the Manson family that the Beatles were signaling them to commit murder,

they listened.

I'm Vanessa Richardson and this is Serial Killers, a Spotify podcast. You can find us

here every Monday. Be sure to check us out on Instagram at serial killers podcast stay with us Before we get into this story, amongst the many sources we used, we found Jeff Gwynne's book,

Manson, the life and times of Charles Manson, extremely helpful to our research.

The audiobook edition is available for Spotify premium subscribers in our audiobook catalogue,

so you can check it out after listening to this episode.

Leading up to the Grammys, we're going back to cover a different kind of history-making

musician, Charles Manson.

Today we'll cover the Tate and Labianca murders,

...