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Madonna Wayne Gacy | |
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![]() Bier onstage in 1995 | |
Background information | |
Also known as | Pogo |
Genres | |
Occupation | Musician |
Instrument | Keyboards |
Years active | 1989–present |
Formerly of | Marilyn Manson |
Stephen Bier, formerly known by his stage name Madonna Wayne Gacy and by the nickname Pogo, [1] is an American musician who was the keyboard player for Marilyn Manson from 1989 to 2007. His stage name came from the names of the singer Madonna and the serial killer John Wayne Gacy. [2]
Bier joined Marilyn Manson in late 1989 as a live prop actor after Zsa Zsa Speck left the band. Bier is responsible for much of the Qabalistic and numerological meanings behind Manson's albums. [3] [ page needed ] He did not contribute to Manson's album Eat Me, Drink Me , having been replaced by Chris Vrenna.
In 2007, Bier filed a lawsuit against Manson for unpaid "partnership proceeds". Bier claims Manson spent the band's earnings on luxurious items and "devised a campaign to drive Bier out of the band and rob him of his entitlement". [4] Manson filed a counter suit against Bier, accusing him of breach of contract. [5] The lawsuit was settled for $380,000, $175,000 of which was paid out by Manson while the rest was ordered to be paid by Stephen Bier's former business managers. [6]