The frustrations around getting signed plagued many artists and as it was almost unheard of to really go the independent route in the late 60's/ early 70's the pressure to impress labels no doubt built up a good deal of stress. However though both these artists played unsuccessful label showcases and would later attain cult status (some more than others) their routes to a second fame were extraordinarily different to say the least.

	Charles Manson - Sings By now the subtext to Manson's music is so much more widely known than any of the actual songs that it's hard to divorce his name from that context and into a purely musical one. The fact remains though that prior to all the
hullabaloo in Laurel Canyon, Manson was just another struggling songwriter; showcasing to labels and being turned away. Through his widely publicized friendship with Dennis Wilson one of his songs did turn up on his album and it pops up here under its original title of "Cease to Exist." Had he not come unhinged its quite possible that these recordings would be making the rounds on the reissue circuit and getting the usual untapped talent praise. Of course that's not really possible now and Manson's choices leave him forever associated with cult's, cover-ups, murder and re-trials. Despite all this there do remain a few gems in the bunch and divulged from their roots they're another example of wasted talent from the era. Download: [MP3] Charles Manson - Don't Do Anything Illegal [MP3] Charles Manson - Cease To Exist Support the artist. Buy it HERE
	Rodriguez - Cold Fact Sixto Rodriguez's early ambitions were met with the same industry cold shoulder as Manson's. Some of this was attributed to Rodriguez' behavior; playing with his back to industry audiences, an affinity for dive bars as venues. However
the real shame to this is that unlike Manson, whose songwriting was decent but not stellar, this remains truly a lost classic. Sixto's tales evoked social unrest, inner city turmoil and racial inequality in a way that seems unforced; paired with some unbelievably captivating musicianship underlying it all. Following a very poor initial reception to this album and a follow-up, Rodriguez left music and eventually took day jobs in labor. Inexplicably, over the years Rodriguez built up a huge international following especially in South Africa, and though some demand began to exist he himself was lost to rumors of death, over-dose and mental illness. However he was eventually tracked down in Detroit and has since re-issued this long lost album. Truly a different path for the shunned performer, instead of resentment and hate as a response, Sixto's music has become an inspiration and an eventual success. Download: [MP3] Rodriquez - Only Good For Conversation [MP3] Rodriquez - This Is Not A Song, It's An Outburst: Or, The Establishment Support the artist. Buy it HERE