Anton Szandor LaVey | |
|---|---|
 LaVey publicity photo, c. 1992 | |
| Title | Author of The Satanic Bible, High Priest and founder of The Church of Satan |
| Personal | |
| Born | Howard Stanton Levey April 11, 1930 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | October 29, 1997 (aged 67) |
| Religion | LaVeyan Satanism |
| Spouse |
Carole Lansing
(m. 1951; div. 1960) |
| Partner | Diane Hegarty (1960–1984) Blanche Barton (1984–1997) |
| Children | 3, including Karla LaVey and Zeena Schreck |
| Denomination | Church of Satan |
| Known for | The Satanic Bible Church of Satan |
| Profession | Author, musician, LaVeyan Satanist |
| Signature |  |
| Senior posting | |
| Profession | Author, musician, LaVeyan Satanist |
Anton Szandor LaVey[1] (born Howard Stanton Levey; April 11, 1930 – October 29, 1997) was an American author, musician, and LaVeyan Satanist.[2] He was the founder of the Church of Satan, the philosophy of LaVeyan Satanism, and the concept of Satanism. He authored several books, including The Satanic Bible, The Satanic Rituals, The Satanic Witch, The Devil's Notebook, and Satan Speaks! In addition, he released three albums, including The Satanic Mass, Satan Takes a Holiday, and Strange Music. He played a minor on-screen role and served as technical advisor for the 1975 film The Devil's Rain[3] and served as host and narrator for Nick Bougas' 1989 mondo film Death Scenes.[4]
Historian of Satanism Gareth J. Medway described LaVey as a "born showman",[5] with anthropologist Jean La Fontaine describing him as a "colourful figure of considerable personal magnetism".[6] The academic scholars of Satanism Per Faxneld and Jesper Aagaard Petersen described LaVey as "the most iconic figure in the Satanic milieu".[7] LaVey was labeled many things by journalists, religious detractors, and Satanists alike, including "The Father of Satanism",[8] the "St. Paul of Satanism",[9] "The Black Pope",[10] and the "evilest man in the world".[11]
- ^ Wright, Lawrence – "It's Not Easy Being Evil in a World That's Gone to Hell", Rolling Stone, September 5, 1991: 63–68, 105–16.
- ^ Harrington, Walt. "Anton LaVey America's Satanic Master of Devils, Magic, Music, and Madness". The Washington Post Magazine, February 23, 1986.
- ^ Mitchell 2015, p. 102.
- ^ Brottman, Mikita (2004). "Carnivalizing the Taboo". In Prince, Stephen (ed.). The Horror Film. Rutgers University Press. p. 172. ISBN 9780813533636.
- ^ Medway 2001, p. 21.
- ^ La Fontaine 1999, p. 96.
- ^ Faxneld & Petersen 2013, p. 79.
- ^ Petersen, Jesper Aagaard (2009). Contemporary Religious Satanism. Ashgate Publishing. ISBN 9780754652861.
- ^ Lewis 2002, p. 5.
- ^ "Anton LaVey, Church of Satan founder". SFGate. November 7, 1997.
- ^ "ROLLING STONE – SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL – 920S-000-004". maryellenmark.com.