Who knew that the most notorious living Satanist was also a recording artist? Indeed he is, releasing at least two known records: Satan Takes A Holiday and The Satanic Mass. Anton LaVey was born on April 11, 1930, and is of Georgian and Alsatian ancestry. Musically, he was a child prodigy, learning to play the violin, drums, trombone, oboe, piano, organ, and the calliope (beginning at the young age of 5). When he turned 16, Anton found a job playing oboe with the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra, and eventually went on to become the city's official organist for all civic functions. Besides his musical jobs, he also worked as a cage boy, lion trainer, mitt camp worker, police photographer, criminologist, artist, clinical hypnotist, and psychological researcher. He later declared Satanism as his religion, becoming the head of the Church of Satan. As evidenced on talk shows, LaVey doesn't fit the stereotype of Satan worshippers -- he's not a hyper, insane, drug-crazed lunatic, but a calm and smart man, who says that he conceived Satanism as a system based on rational self-interest. In the liner notes of his Satan Takes a Holiday CD, it says that LaVey "applies his kaleidoscopic vision to conjure forth occult musical treasures, sending them out into the ethers, to haunt and delight us." And like any good horror movie, LaVey and his music do indeed haunt and, for some, delight. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide
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