Backstage Pass, A Rolling Stones Retrospective by E.H.B. ‘Chip’ Monck Opening Friday April 20, 6 – 8pm Please note this event is strictly RSVP, by April 17 to [email protected] or 03 9419 8756 Exhibition dates: April 13 – 28, 2012

Legendary production designer E.H.B. ‘Chip’ Monck, the Godfather of stage and lighting design and MC at , toured with for five years at the height of their fame, directing their live show. Backstage Pass, at the Colour Factory Gallery from April 13, is an intimate series of photographs from the Stone’s 1970 European tour from Monck’s private collection, providing an access all areas account of life on the road with the greatest band of all time. The exhibition comprises 26 photographic prints, and a selection of memorabilia including letters from Brian Jones and the Rolling Stones first pinball machine. Here’s how it all began…

“Having completed Woodstock in ’69 I moved into the Greek Theatre in LA, with and Crosby Stills and Nash, unaware that there were scouts in the audience from the Rolling Stones. I began to receive telex, telegrams and voice messages from Maddox Street, the Stones Office in London. I disregarded them as a prank. Then one afternoon there was a knock at the door, and a hand delivered note, to call Michael Phillip (Jagger) in Mount Fairy, NSW where he was filming Ned Kelly.

The phone exchange was open only 4 hours a day, and didn’t work well with my schedule, but at 3:00am NY time I made the call. I explained that I had attended their show in Boston in 1966 and that I would not attempt any improvement in presentation unless it was a serious coordination between , and my staff. “Bring your drawings and ideas to LA, and we’ll discuss it.” And I did.

Trying to avoid the hysteria of the rented mansion the Stones were staying in, I asked if Michael and I could go poolside, and I would explain my thoughts. I spread all the prints out on the pool deck and began. The wind came up and all the prints ended up in the pool. His immediate response was “Just F@#$I’ do it”

The shots within this exhibition show the band in classic stage mode and also behind the scenes, the daily rhythm of touring. I hope you enjoy a series I refer to as “Backstage Pass”, life on the road with the greatest rock band of all time”. E.H.B. Chip Monck – MC, Co-Road Management, Production Design, Lighting Design & Operation for the Rolling Stones –1969 – 1972

Chip Monck’s past projects provide a roll call of some of the most significant entertainment events from the last couple of decades; the Newport Rhode Island Folk and Jazz Festivals, the Festival, Woodstock, the Concert for Bangladesh with George Harrison & , the Broadway production of the Rocky Horror Show, Bette Midler’s Divine Madness show and the Ali/Forman Fight and associated three day music festival in Kinshasa, Zaire. He now lives in , and is the Director of Production on the Australian fundraising project, One Great Night on Earth, taking place in December.

For more information or to arrange an interview please contact: Colour Factory Gallery on 9419 8756 or [email protected] www.colourfactory.com.au/gallery