Lighting Up The Stage

The Untold Story of Chip Monck

The Pioneer Who Illuminated American Music

Days until the Official Launch of the Book


"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.

His groundbreaking work at the Village Gate in NYC, the Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals, including the night Dylan went electric and he would go on to

revolutionize arena rock with The Rolling Stones and much more.

It's time for his moment in the Spotlight.

The book will be officially launched at 4pm on August 15, 2026

The 57th Anniversary of Woodstock

Read on as you can become a part of this story right now


THE STORY THAT'S NEVER BEEN TOLD

In this definitive biography, follow the extraordinary journey of a lighting genius who shaped how America and beyond 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 a microphone, his voice and wits.


Chip's story is the untold saga of how live music became a transcendent experience.


BEHIND THE LIGHTS: WHAT YOU'LL DISCOVER

The Village Gate Years

How a young innovator helped define the look and feel of New York's legendary jazz scene, creating the atmospheric magic where Dylan wrote "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall"

The Newport Revolution

Transforming America's premier folk and jazz festivals, including the historic moment when Dylan went electric and changed music forever.

The Complete Woodstock Saga

From technical wizardry to accidental emcee—the real story behind the famous "brown acid" warning and how one man's voice guided half a million souls.

The Rolling Stones Years

Reinventing arena rock for the modern era with revolutionary mirror systems and staging innovations still used today.

The Hidden Legacy

How this one man's innovations revolutionized concert production forever, creating the foundation for every live music experience you've ever loved.


FROM CLUBS TO STADIUMS: A PIONEER'S JOURNEY

The Creative Force behind the Village Gate's legendary ambiance

that attracted every major folk and jazz artist of the era.

The Technical Mastermind for Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals during

their most historic and musicially amazing moments.

The Unexpected Voice who became Woodstock's guiding presence

when organizers forgot to hire an MC.

The Arena Revolutionary who created the look of The Rolling Stones' tours

into the blueprint for modern stadium rock.

The World Beyond Music working with the Olympic Games, the Pope

and there is so much more to this story it will seem far more than one life.

The Invisible Innovator whose staging solutions are

still the industry standard today.


FOUR WAYS TO YOU CAN BE A PART OF THE STORY

THE MINI-BOOK: "Behind the Glow" - $20

128 pages of intimate revelation

Perfect introduction to invisible excellence. Four compelling chapters from Massachusetts teenager to master craftsman. Essential reading for any music lover.

[PRE-ORDER NOW - EARLY BIRD SPECIAL - COMING SOON!]

THE COMPLETE BOOK: "Lighting Up The Stage" - $50

320 pages of comprehensive exploration

The definitive chronicle spanning six decades. Every innovation, every breakthrough, every moment that shaped modern live music.

[PRE-ORDER NOW - EARLY BIRD SPECIAL -COMING SOON!]

COLLECTOR'S CHOICE: Book + Signed Photo - $550

Choose from 5 legendary moments

Choose a museum-quality photograph from Henry Diltz's private archives,

add $200 for the photo signed by both Chip Monck and Henry Diltz.

[LIMITED EDITION - PRE-ORDER NOW]

THE ULTIMATE ARCHIVE:

Book + 12 Photos - $2,500

A set of 12 unpublished photographs


[ONLY 2500 AVAILABLE - RESERVE YOUR COPY NOW!]

The Ultimate Collection

12 Unpublished Photos from Monterrey 1967, Miami Pop 1968,

Woodstock 1969 and The Concert For Bangladesh 1971
each signed by Chip Monck and Henry Diltz

Limited to 24 unique collections

Contact Us for ordering details.

EARLY BIRD PRE-LAUNCH EXCLUSIVE

We're launching early to honor Chip Monck while he can still

participate in sharing his incredible story.

Pre-order now and receive:

Special pre-launch pricing (prices increase at official launch)

Exclusive bonus content not available anywhere else

First access to limited edition items

Personal thank you acknowledgment from Chip himself

Behind-the-scenes updates throughout the creation process

Time is precious. Chip and Henry are both 86 years old.

This may be our final opportunity to capture this story while we still can.

The Chip Monck Foundation

A portion of all sales go to further the careers of the next

generation of Lighting Directors to keep the spirit alive.


WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

"Chip Monck didn't just light shows - he illuminated eras. From Dylan going electric at Newport to Mick Jagger at Altemont, he made moments into memories."
— Paul K Saunders, Founder of New Music Lives

"The history of live music in America is divided into two eras: before and after Chip Monck."
— G. Mick Smith, Author of Lighting Up the Stage

"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, Legendary Lighting Designer

"I'm amazed at the accumulation of images that have resulted, simply by doing what I love to do. day after day, It's a result of being with countless people over the years, waiting at the sidelines for the moment to happen."

— Henry Diltz, Photographer


THE BRIDGE TO HISTORY

As we all approach Woodstock's 60th Anniversary in 2029, "Lighting Up The Stage" will provide a crucial missing chapter in American musical history. One that till now has not been told and we believe is time the world recognizes the work of Chip Monck.

This isn't just a book about concert production— it's the story of how one man's technical brilliance and human compassion has created magic across genres and generations.

Days Until The 60th Anniversary of Woodstock 1969


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

G. Mick Smith, PhD has published over 85 works including articles, presentations, and 600+ podcast episodes. He wrote the acclaimed track-by-track guide "Ian Hunter On Track" and holds a PhD in History from UCLA, two Master's degrees, and nine certificates in executive leadership and educational technology.

Maturing during rock's emergence in the 1960s and 1970s, Mick has been captivated by music ever since that seminal period when rock reached its apogee. As an educational executive, he has held positions including Executive Region Director, Campus Dean, and Technology Director.

A guest on more than 30 podcasts with three podcasts of his own, Mick is accustomed to presenting complex ideas to general audiences with passion and clarity.

He come to this project with both passion and love for the story and truly believes that is time to shine a light on this amazing man, Chip Monck.


JOIN THE PRE-LAUNCH EXPERIENCE

Join Our Exclusive Early Access List

Direct updates from author Mick Smith and the team

Special access to gallery exhibitions and events

Share Your Memories

Were you at the Village Gate? Newport? Monterrey, Miami,

Woodstock? Madison Square Garden, Altamont.
Do you have a story to tell and contribute?

We want to hear your stories for potential inclusion in bonus content.

Follow the Pre-Launch Journey

Connect with us for regular updates as we prepare this

once-in-a-lifetime story for release.


SECURE YOUR EARLY ACCESS TODAY

[JOIN EARLY ACCESS LIST - FREE]


[PRE-ORDER THE MINI-BOOK - $20 - EARLY BIRD PRICE]


[PRE-ORDER THE COMPLETE BOOK - $50 - EARLY BIRD PRICE]


[RESERVE YOUR COLLECTOR'S EDITION - $550 - LIMITED QUANTITY]


[RESERVE YOUR ULTIMATE ARCHIVE - $2,500]

[CONTACT US ABOUT THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION]

Why join the pre-launch? Lock in special early bird pricing, receive exclusive bonus content, get first access to limited editions, and ensure you're part of this historic project from the very beginning.


THE LEGACY CONTINUES

Your purchase will also enable us to create and establish

The Chip Monck Scholarship Fund,
Which seeks to support future generations so that they can learn that lighting design is truly emotional architecture, that technical mastery can become spiritual practice.

Because some stories deserve to to be told.

Because his invisible excellence shaped everything you love about live music.

Because the master who lit a generation deserves his moment in the spotlight.


[JOIN EARLY ACCESS] | [CONTACT US] | [FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL]

Pre-Launch Open Now

Official Release August 15, 2026
Reserve your piece of music history today.

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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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