Lighting Up The Stage

The Untold Story of Chip Monck

The Pioneer Who Illuminated American Music

"Ladies and gentlemen, the brown acid that is circulating around us is not specifically too good..."

With these words, Edward Herbert Beresford "Chip" Monck became the voice of Woodstock.

But few know that the man making that famous announcement had already transformed American music through his groundbreaking work at the Village Gate in NYC, the Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals, Dylan going electric,

and he would go on to revolutionize arena rock with The Rolling Stones.

Lighting Up The Stage

The Book that illuminates a legend

Coming August 15, 2025 - The 56th Anniversary of Woodstock

In this definitive biography, follow the journey of a lighting genius who shaped how America experienced live music

from intimate jazz clubs to massive festivals and ultimately to spectacular arena shows.

From his early days illuminating the legendary Village Gate in Greenwich Village to keeping half a million people safe at Woodstock with nothing but his voice and wits, Monck's story is the untold saga of how live music became a transcendent experience.

BEHIND THE LIGHTS

The Village Gate Years:

How a young innovator helped define the look of New York's jazz scene

The Newport Revolution:

Transforming America's premier folk and jazz festivals

The complete Woodstock saga:

From technical wizardry to accidental emcee

The Rolling Stones years:

Reinventing arena rock for the modern era

The real story behind the famous "brown acid" warning

How this one man's innovations revolutionized concert production forever

FROM CLUBS TO STADIUMS: A PIONEER'S JOURNEY

Chip Monck's remarkable path through music history:

The Creative Force - behind the Village Gate's legendary ambiance

The Technical Director - for Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals during their most historic moments

An Unexpected Voice - an lighting director of Woodstock

The Mastermind - The Rolling Stones' groundbreaking arena tours

The creator of many staging solutions still used today.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

"Chip Monck didn't just light shows - he illuminated eras. From Dylan going electric at Newport

to Mick Jagger commanding Madison Square Garden, he made moments into memories."

Paul K Saunders - Founder of New Music Lives

"The history of live music in America can be divided into two eras: before and after Chip Monck."

Mick Smith - Author of Lighting Up the Stage

THE BRIDGE TO HISTORY

As we approach Woodstock's 60th Anniversary in 2029,

"Lighting Up The Stage" provides the crucial missing chapter in American music history.

This isn't just a book about concert production - it's the story of how technical brilliance and

human compassion combined to create magic across genres and generations.

PRE-ORDER THE PAPERBACK EDITION

plus learn about other special editions

Standard Handcover Edition

Deluxe Hardcover Edition

CONNECT WITH THE LEGACY

Join our waiting list for exclusive content and pre-order opportunities

Share your memories from the Village Gate, Newport, Woodstock, or Stones Tours

Follow our countdown to both the book release and Woodstock's 60th anniversary

ABOUT THE AUTHOR G. Mick Smith, PhD,

Has published over 85 publications in every format, including his dissertation, articles, presentations, podcast episodes (over 600), and audiobooks, And he wrote about a track by track guide to the classic rock songwriter

Ian Hunter On Track. He has taught over 35 university or college level courses.

He holds a PhD in History from UCLA, two Master’s degrees, and nine certificates

in executive leadership and educational technology.

Mick has been a guest on over 30 podcasts, has three podcasts,

and is accustomed to presenting his ideas to a general audience.

Maturing during the emergence of rock during the 1960s and 1970s, he has been captivated by music

ever since that seminal period when rock reached its apogee.

As an educational executive, he has held positions such as Executive Region Director,

Campus Dean, Consultant, and Technology Director.






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"From the smallest spotlight at the Village Gate to the biggest rigs with the Stones,

every light had to serve the music and the moment."

  • - Chip Monck

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