The Last Party - by John Harris (Paperback)

About the Book

'The loveliest - and certainly the most human - book about pop music I've ever read ... A delightful and humane soap opera, a real page-turner, full of rounded and entirely recognisable characters.'

Jon Ronson, Daily Telegraph

Book Synopsis

Beginning in 1994 and closing in the first months of 1998, the UK passed through a cultural moment as distinct and as celebrated as any since the war. Founded on rock music, celebrity, boom-time economics and fleeting political optimism - this was 'Cool Britannia'. Records sold in their millions, a new celebrity elite emerged and Tony Blair's Labour Party found itself, at long last, returned to government. Drawing on interviews from all the major bands - including Oasis, Blur, Elastica and Suede - from music journalists, record executives and those close to government, The Last Party charts the rise and fall of the Britpop movement. John Harris was there; and in this gripping new book he argues that the high point of British music's cultural impact also signalled its effective demise - If rock stars were now friends of the government, then how could they continue to matter?

Review Quotes

'THE LAST PARTY is a title that deserves to stick around the book charts.' Mark Lawson, Guardian

'THE LAST PARTY is that rare thing, a book principally about rock musicians that is a compulsive page-turner.' The Sunday Times

'Compelling ... it reminds us what a corrosive and mean place the pop world can be.' Mojo

'A fine, bittersweet read.' Q Magazine

About the Author

John Harris is a highly respected journalist who has written regular columns the NME, Mojo, Q Magazine, Select, Rolling Stone, New Statesman and the Independent