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Review
"Marvellous. If you want to know what Apple was like, this is the book." Alastair Taylor, former General Manager, Apple; "Incisive, evocative and hilariously funny. The Beatles are shadowy figures, but this is a fine view of rock's most inspired folly." Mojo; "Vivid... it views the band's disintegration with the same excluded bafflement with which Stoppard's Rosencrantz and Guildenstern follow the plots of the Danish court." Guardian"
Product Description
When American teenager, Richard DiLello, wandered into the Beatles' Apple building in 1968, he was immediately appointed 'house hippie'; he began making tea, rolling joints and listening to dozens of demo tapes. By the time Apple crumbled a few years later he was director of public relations. Along the way he noted many of the stoned conversations he heard and the insane bits of business he witnessed: one-man bands auditioning in the reception, Hell's Angels taking over Savile Row and The Beatles playing on the roof. Full of period detail, The Longest Cocktail Party is fast-paced, witty and immensely poignant about the demise of the Fab Four and the death of the '60s dream.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Richard DiLello provides a valuable insight into the empire that was Apple Corps, free from spin and gloss. Written soon after the demise of the Beatles grand design for Utopia, this book takes us on a rollercoaster ride through the ups, downs, highs, lows and sheer madness of day to day corporate life in the anti-business world of Apple. A useful adjunct to the Anthology book, this book will give you as close a 'being-there' experience as is possible to the maelstrom of Beatledom from 1968 to 1972.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
One of the best Beatle Books around. Richard Di Lello, breezed into the newly formed Apple Corps in 1967, and landed a job in the Beatles press office. This book is his account of the madness that ensued until 1970, when a few careless words to a journalist landed Di Lello out on his ear. Yet he witnessed more funny,sad,poignant and weired moments than most would see in a lifetime. The Beatles pop in and out of the book. Di Lello gives an honest account of his time amongst this chaos, and leaves you with the feeling that you wish you had been there too.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Let me start by saying that I enjoyed this book immensely. It actually made me laugh, and not very many Beatles books can say that.
But it is probably not for everyone. The reason I say that is because of the writing style. It's flows along without punctuation for pages at a time and can be difficult to read. It is also highly personal - seen through an office boys eyes who never really got close to the Beatles. But the insights he gives into day to day running of the Apple office is very illuminating. You really get a sense of the fun and craziness that pervaded the place.
He also tells some stories that simply don't appear anywhere else.
But he gives very little insight into the band themselves. And there is really nothing about their history or their music.
But if you have read all of the other Beatles books and you are looking for something a bit different, then this might be just the book you're looking for.
But it is probably not for everyone. The reason I say that is because of the writing style. It's flows along without punctuation for pages at a time and can be difficult to read. It is also highly personal - seen through an office boys eyes who never really got close to the Beatles. But the insights he gives into day to day running of the Apple office is very illuminating. You really get a sense of the fun and craziness that pervaded the place.
He also tells some stories that simply don't appear anywhere else.
But he gives very little insight into the band themselves. And there is really nothing about their history or their music.
But if you have read all of the other Beatles books and you are looking for something a bit different, then this might be just the book you're looking for.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Hilariously Brilliant, Bittersweet Memoir
"The Longest Cocktail Party" is not a "definitive" biography of The Beatles. It does not abound with exclusive contemporary Fab Four interviews (The Beatles themselves aren't even... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Chankos
Not what I expected
I brought this book to add to my already extensive Beatles collection. I found this book dragged for me a bit HOWEVER it is not like all the other Beatles books out there that... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Stephanie
Inside the madness that was Apple Records..
Great book about a great band..what a mess Apple was in, this really is the insiders story in all its glory...if your a Beatles fan...GET THIS BOOK...amazing read..
Published 17 months ago by A. Kennedy
Brilliant book, can't wait for the film!
Being a HUGE Oasis and Beatles fan, I ordered this book on the mere fact that it was to be made into a film by Liam Gallagher's new movie production company In 1 Productions and... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Vicki
A different perspective
The novelty of this book is the perspective being from that of the Apple House Hippy giving it a fly-on-the-wall appeal with The Beatles and ancillary staff floating in and out of... Read more
Published 22 months ago by N. DAVIES
A great book
I really enjoyed this book. Not your usual biography, it gives you a sense of what day to day life working at Apple for the Beatles would have been like. Read more
Published on 21 Nov 2008 by Mark Two
Groovy
I've read many Beatle books - there aren't many that really stand out but Richard DiLello's book does just that. Read more
Published on 3 Mar 2006 by JJ
Oh dear. Just about readable!
Five stars? Are we talking about the same book here? I really didn't rate this slim tome at all, I'm afraid. I WANTED to like it, but come on... Must try harder! Read more
Published on 15 April 2005 by Phil Clark
I Me Mine
I read this book when it was first published in the early seventies, and it was a revelation. A journal of the chaotic management of Apple, and the petty disintegration of the... Read more
Published on 13 Feb 2001 by Paul S.
Every day was like this?
My treasured original copy of this item, bought when first published, is now somewhat bedraggled so I'm glad to see this new edition. Read more
Published on 9 Feb 2001 by R. N. Owen
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