Rufus Publications: Monsters Of Rock – The Official Illustrated History 2026 Edition, Marking 30 years

In 2019 Rufus published the huge, official, celebratory history of The Monsters of Rock Festival in the UK. Written by music journalist and regular attendee John Tucker, the heavily illustrated book, running to more than 600 pages, was a runaway success, quickly selling out and delighting festival fans and critics who attended the festival from 1980 to 1996.

Now, marking 30 years since the last edition of the Monsters of Rock Festival, it’s back, across a range of editions, including two high end, ultra limited, huge, leather and metal editions. 

The Black Edition; measuring 370mm x 370mm square and bound in recycled black leather and presented in a hand welded black metal slipcase. This black edition is available in a run of just 50 copies and is personally signed by Kirk Hammett of Metallica who first stormed the festival in 1985. This edition, which features all of Metallica’s performances at the festival, also includes a large fold-out poster of the 1985 lineup and an MOR iron-on on patch. The edition sells for £550 plus shipping.

The Red Edition; measuring 370mm x 370mm square and bound in recycled black leather and presented in a hand welded red metal slipcase. This Red Edition is available in a run of just 50 copies and is personally signed by all of Def Leppard, who made an historic comeback after Rick Allen’s car accident, at the festival in 1986. This edition also includes a large fold -ut poster of the 1986 lineup and an MOR iron-on patch. The edition sells for £550 plus shipping.

The Standard Edition; available in a run of just 500 numbered copies and measuring 230mm x 230mm. The first 100 copies are personally signed by legendary guitarist KK Downing who played with Judas Priest at the first festival in 1980 and comes in a beautiful black slipcase with red foil. It also comes with an MOR iron-on patch. These 100 copies sell for £175 each plus shipping. The next 400 copies are numbered, unsigned books without a slipcase and sell for £79 each plus shipping.

Feature Image Photo Credit: Supplied By Chris Hewlett PR

The Monsters of Rock book can be pre-ordered from https://www.rufuspublications.com/rufusbooks/monstersofrock/ from 3pm UK time on Friday 24th October and will ship at the end of January 2026.

The new editions will ship at the end of January 2026.