Manson was hitch hiking in LA and was picked up by a young Texan, a newcomer to California. They got to talking, found music was a common interest. The hitch hiker said he knew Dennis Wilson of the Beach Boys and they went to his house. Wilson was not there. The hitch hiker was Charlie Manson, the Texan: Meatloaf.
I’m a little fuzzy on why the Manson Family picked that house to kill everyone.
I think it was Doris Day’s son Terry Melcher who was a huge record producer during that time, he produced records for the Beach Boys, Manson was introduced to Melcher who listened to his music and turned him down. Melcher had previously lived at the house on Cielo Drive and that’s why the house was chosen.
...actually, Manson met Wilson after Dennis picked up 2 of Mansons girls that were hitch hiking...Pat Krenwinkel and Ella Jo Bailey...
Meatloaf has also told the story of being cruising with some friends in Dallas on the day JFK was assassinated, and having their car commandeered by the Secret Service.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbJCjmEd6oE