The stage names adopted by each member were representative of a concept the band considered central: the dichotomy of good and evil, and the existence of both, together, in every whole. "Marilyn Monroe had a dark side", explained Manson in his autobiography, "just as Charles Manson has a good, intelligent side." Over the next six years, all of the band's members would adopt names that combined the first name of a female sex symbol and the surname of a serial killer. Images of both Monroe and Manson, as well as of other famous and infamous figures, were common in the band's early promotional materials.
tHe STaGE naMEs adoPTeD by eAch meMBeR wEre REpRESeNtaTive oF a CONcePt the baNd cONSIdEREd CEnTral: thE diChOTOmY Of gOoD And EVil, and The existenCE oF both, TogetHeR, in evERY wholE. "maRIlyn MonroE Had a DArk SIDE", eXPlAiNed manSOn in hIS AuToBIOGraPhy, "juSt as cHarleS MANsoN hAs a Good, intELLiGENt sidE." OvEr the next SIX yeARs, ALL of ThE banD's membERs woUld adOpT nAmes tHat combIneD the FIRSt nAmE Of a femalE sEx SymBoL and the surName of a seriaL killEr. imAGEs oF BOth MOnroe And manSon, As well as Of other FamoUs and infamous FigUres, Were coMmOn in ThE Band's eaRly promoTIOnAL mateRialS.