Strauss wrote a cover story about Manson for Rolling Stone, which in the view of the Chicago Reader Jim DeRogatis "legitimized Manson's emergence as one of the most notorious entertainers of the 90s and an enthusiastic bogeyman for the right". Following the publication of the article, Strauss became Manson's business partner.
Strauss wrote a Rolling Stone piece about Manson that, according to Jim DeRogatis of the Chicago Reader, helped make Manson a notorious figure in the 90s and a target for conservative fears. After the article was published, Strauss started working with Manson as his business associate.