It was a few years ago when I first heard the tale of Sid Vicious having had a short romance with someone other than the infamous Nancy Spungen, or indeed Michelle Robison (aka film producer Jessica Ronson Jones), and I admit I was a bit Skeptical about it. Barbara Harwood, The Pistols' tour bus driver had mentioned it in an interview I read, but I thought this person was never going to come forward and tell her story. Well one book about the Pistols tour of Norway / Sweden was published a few years back and it introduced us fans to Teddie Dahlin, who, back in July 1977, was a 16 year old who had spent some time living in England earlier in life and could speak fluent English as well as her native Norwegian, and would become close to Sid. Well, Teddie is now a freelance journalist for some British publications and has now fully broken her silence on Sid's Norwegian romance, with her new book, "A Vicious Love Story".

Beginning with a bit of background on Teddie herself, and the time itself, we then meet concert promoter, Tore Lande, who was responsible for bringing the Sex Pistols to Sweden and Norway for their tour. He knew Teddie's Step-Father well, and when it came time for the Pistols show in Trondheim, he needed a translator for the band. Her step father couldn't do it, so Teddie stepped in. From here on in we concentrate on Teddie meeting Sid and the band, and the flirting that goes on, many unrealized moments, awkwardness, all while the band are setting up, and getting ready for the show. What you instantly find reading this book, is that the read is almost like a conversation with Teddie herself, and as you are lead into things being said, you can get the feeling of being there and watching what is going on. You really get a sense of the moment. The people portrayed in this story (The band, Boogie, Roadent, and Tracy O'Keefe and Debbie Wilson) are portrayed so accurately to how I have seen and heard them, which all helps to keep the story believable, and rooted in truth. The humor within the band is not lost as with so many books on the Pistols and this is a good thing, as it keeps the reader entertained throughout. You get the sense of things being a "will they / Wont they" Scenario between Sid and Teddie, as neither wishes to lead the relationship or start it off, but once it is established, things soon hit a wall, as when Steve Jones tries to kiss Teddie and she asks him not to. Jones proceeds to tell her about Nancy, back in the UK. Sid tells Teddie that it is not a proper relationship with Nancy and plans to leave her....Now we all know that didn't happen, but wouldn't it have been better if he did! In a nutshell, the two do manage to get together and spent the few days together in Trondheim, Teddie even stating that she wasn't a fan of the band and was bored by the concert they gave itself, (which was to be released by Virgin as a live album in 1992). Throughout this first main part of the book, Roadent (Steve Connolly - former Clash and Pistols roadie) pops up from time to time to add pieces. Whether these are helpful or not is debatable, as they are in places negated by people like The Slits' Viv Albertine - who I find more believable with all things early Sid, But in saying that, Roadent was there, I wasn't. By the time Sid has left Trondheim for Sweden and onwards to the rest of his short life, (I don't want to give away the whole story of the book - you'll have to read it), Teddie graciously leaves the rest of the Sid story to people who were involved, like Eileen Polk and Peter Gravelle, which are all written as the e-mails they were originally sent as to Teddie. Which I find really good, as it shows how those people put it. Not how an editor has chopped around their words to produce a narrative.

Teddie Dahlin's writing here like I said is like talking to a friend about what happened in a specific time in their life. It is not played for sensationalism, and I am so thankful that any graphic details of their lovemaking was left out. It is not a drug story! Drugs only being mentioned a few times, and we as the reader are not exposed to fluff or filling - this is how it happened. There are a few revelations about each band member that you wont find anywhere else, from someone who was there, and these are not there to dig up dirt, although I would recommend Steve Jones not read it after how one of Teddie's friends describes a particular encounter! I laughed so hard I nearly cried!

A Vicious Love Story is an excellent read. It was so good I read the whole book in a 24 hour period. As I really wanted to see how the story played out. The only downside to the book is how the type setter had made the photographs so small, that it is sometimes hard to see what is happening in them. These pictures are largely unpublished and are another reason to buy the book. I have been told this will be rectified for a future issue of the book, but if you are paying attention to the text, you will notice the pictures are sequenced with the story so it is only a small niggle.

This book will not disappoint any Sid / Pistols fan who buys it. Its not a run of the mill re-telling of the Pistols or Sid Vicious story, but a true love story. I would like to leave the last word here to Teddie herself.....

"I Hope my story has somehow helped to bring some insight into the real Sid Vicious. Not the cartoon. He was just a really great guy called John"

Yes he was, and Yes you have, Teddie.

Order your copy today, from either Amazon or the Little Acorns Publishing website.