Paul Simon, Lenny Kravitz, Sting, Rhianna, Kid Rock, and a host of other rock royalty names are sprinkled throughout Nook Schoenfeld’s The Old Man’s Musings—45 Years Of Gigs, but the real stars of this very readable 307-page book, which reached #1 on Amazon’s New Release Theatre, Production and Direction list, are the hundreds of lighting designers, directors, roadies, promoters, production and tour managers, and assorted other characters the author has worked with on his incredible journey.
With a keen eye for detail, Schoenfeld creates a richly textured behind-the-scenes picture of how he and his colleagues lit some of the most memorable concerts and tours of the past generation. There are priceless accounts of being stuck on a tour bus in one of the remotest corners of the world, pulling all-nighters for Bob Dylan’s 30th anniversary show at Madison Square Garden, lighting a private party featuring Elton John for the Sultan of Brunei, and countless more stories that will make readers laugh, remember—and think.
Schoenfeld also recounts the events of his own career, from its earliest days working for See Factor in New York, to becoming a prominent lighting designer, describing the various jobs he did along the way, and how tools of the trade, such as truss and scrollers have evolved (or approached extinction in the latter’s case) over the years.
Through the course of his work, Schoenfeld has witnessed the dawn of many innovations, such as moving heads and LED color-changing fixtures, sometimes even occupying a front row seat. In one of the book’s notable passages, he recounts playing with a prototype version of WYSIWYG software in the living room of his Lake Tahoe home.
Given the role that previz software would ultimately play in the industry, this particular story is nothing short of chilling. However, the most compelling feature of the book is its cast of characters, some famous lighting designers, some obscure, but all of them intense and intensely interesting, just like the book’s author. It is their collective personality that make this industry special—and Schoenfeld captures it in all its free-spirited glory so well.
Proceeds of the book are being spread between four charities connected to Schoenfeld’s two boys. Hunter, 23, is autistic and doing well thanks to Clearbrook of Arlington Heights, Il and The Anderson Center for Autism in Staatsburg, NY. Lenny, 13, has ADHD and is also thriving because of The Arete Academy for twice exceptional kids in Minneapolis, MN. The fourth charity is the Schoenfeld Children’s trust.
Be sure to buy a copy of Richard “Nook” Schoenfeld’s The Old Man’s Musings—45 Years of Gigs available on Amazon.
