Gold Coast Mayor’s attempt to ban Marilyn Manson from playing Big Day Out 1999

PRESERVING the Gold Coast's tourism image was at the heart of the Mayor’s announcement he would ban controversial rock star Marilyn Manson from visiting the Glitter Strip to play a show.

THE Gold Coast’s mayor wants to ban shock rocker Marilyn Manson from visiting the city and perform.

That was the message the headlines of newspapers across the nation when the controversial singer was booked to appear at the Gold Coast’s 1999 Big Day Out.

Singer Marilyn Manson performing during Big Day Out Concert on the Gold Coast.

That show, which was held at Parklands 20 years ago this week, made worldwide headlines for all the reasons city leaders feared.

The announcement, made in late 1998 came as Manson became one of the most talked about performers in the world.

In the US, retail giants Target, Kmart and Walmart recently refused to stock his latest new album, Mechanical Animals, because of its cover art, “which features Manson looking nude, pale and sexless”.

How the Bulletin covered the Mayor's call.

Those opposed to the singer claimed his music promoted teen suicide, drugs and Satanism.

Cr Baildon told media he had grave concerns over the Manson’s stage act and claimed if the band was allowed to perform it would threaten the city’s family image.

“Their track record of cancelled concerts and controversial performances speaks for itself,’’ he said.

“The lyrics of their songs make reference to murder, suicide, hate and violence.

“I believe the majority of parents would not want their children exposed to these themes.’’

Gold Coast Mayor Gary Baildon in 1999.

Cr Baildon said he also feared residents living near the Gold Coast venue would be exposed against their will to the band’s ``disturbing lyrics’’.

“The band’s reputation hardly compliments the family image of the Gold Coast,’’ he said.

“My concerns are focused on this particular band, Marilyn Manson, which also would do nothing for the image and standing of the event within the Gold Coast community,’’ he said.

January 17, 1999: More than 38,000 people attended the Big Day out in 1999.

He said he had held preliminary discussions with event organisers, police and senior council staff “in an effort to ensure common sense prevails”.

Cr Baildon said his move to ban the controversial band was sparked by concerns from local residents and internet reports on the band.

There were even calls for Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock to not grant Mason a visa to enter the country.

Crowds at the 1999 Big Day Out.

Cr Baildon was joined in his attack by Reverend Fred Nile who declared Manson to be a satanic priest and that his concerts were part of a conspiracy to attract new members.

But the ban was unsuccessful and Manson arrived on the Gold Coast in mid-January for the show.

The big headlines also helped make that year’s concert one of the biggest in its history, with a sellout 38,000-strong crowd attending the event, to see performances from Manson and Courtney Love.

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Manson’s show was not without controversy Picture: Geoff McLachlan

During his set, Manson simulated masturbation in a red-sequined G-string while Love encouraged the crowed to scream out obscenities after claiming Manson had given her oral sex that day.

Manson also threatened to sodomise a member of the crowd for throwing something at the stage.

Inspector Ken Fox told the Bulletin it was unlikely any obscenity charges would be laid against Manson.

“The kids these days use a lot of offensive words as common language so we have to give and take at this sort of event,” he said.