Room 100 : Sid, Nancy, and the Night Punk Rock Died

by Jesse P Pollack

The gripping first account of one of the darkest days in pop music history: the murder of Nancy Spungen.

Room 100 chronicles the tragic story of Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen, punk rock’s very own Romeo and Juliet. Through a wealth of archival material, plus new and exclusive interviews from rock luminaries such as Television guitarist Richard Lloyd, iconic photographer Robert Bayley, and PUNK magazine co-creator John Holmstrom, critically acclaimed true-crime writer Jesse P. Pollack’s book is the first to be solely devoted to popular music’s darkest hour—the murder of Nancy Spungen. Did Sid kill the love of his life in a drug-induced stupor, or had Nancy been the victim of a robbery gone wrong? Was there a death pact? Did the police ignore crucial evidence? This comprehensive journalistic account will be the definitive book on one of rock ‘n roll’s most intriguing and enduring mysteries.

Genres: Music, History, True Crime, Biography, Nonfiction, Crime

240 pages, Paperback

Published October 19, 2024

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, Room 100, by Jesse P. Pollack, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen, were in love, and rock and rollers, unfortunately, Nancy was murdered, by Sid. This was a sad read, so much talent thrown away, by drugs.

[Janelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very readable account of the lives and deaths of Sid and Nancy. I found it strangely interesting, the crazy mothers, all the drugs, groupies and other musicians, it’s hard to look away from.

[Maggie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Despite the fact that this claims to be the “definitive report” on the deaths of two of punk’s most infamous figures, Room 100 amounts to little more than yet another piece of shock jock “journalism” about Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen. Given that there’s no way to prove anything suggested in the book — which is exactly why their deaths are so infamous to begin with — the book boils down to 200 pages of secondhand interviews, from sources that are clearly and patently unreliable, not to mention conflict with each other so strongly that it’s almost impossible to keep facts straight while reading.

It’s a slog practically from page one, and I have zero respect for Pollack and Backbeat Books after arriving at the photos included with the text to find that crime scene photos of Spungen’s body are being printed as part of the publication. I don’t care what he claims about trying to set the record straight — no matter what kind of person she may have been in life, all that does is disrespect the memory of a young woman who died under tragic circumstances and reduce her to yet another lurid story for true crime weirdos. Hard fucking pass.

Thanks to Edelweiss for the advance copy.

[Andrea- The Shelf Life Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This account provides detailed information about the lives and deaths of Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen. It covers topics such as their mothers, drug use, groupies, and interactions with other musicians. The author covers not only Nancy’s murder but also the backgrounds of both individuals. The writing is informative and respectful to Sid, Nancy, and the early days of punk rock.

I sincerely appreciate NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy to read and review.

[Shannon Hovey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A huge thank you to the publisher who gave me an advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I’d always thought that Sid and Nancy died together, in a suicide pact. Not only did I learn that wasn’t at all what happened, but I learned so much more – about them and about the whole punk rock scene of the seventies.

Many rumors and theories of what happened the night Nancy Spungen died have circulated over the decades. In interviewing those who knew the couple, studying the police records of both deaths, and developing a timeline of the night in question, Jesse P. Pollack shows us which theories *could* be true, and which could not. The world may never know for sure who stabbed Nancy, but what we do know is that both Sid and Nancy were doomed long before they met, thanks to their respective mothers.

This is a must-read for any punk rock fan, and, really, anyone who’s interested in music history.

[Michelle Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars,

Sid and Nancy were still a big part of the public lexicon when I was a teenager and obviously still are - a pair of star crossed lovers, fraught with poor parenting, mental illness, addiction, abuse, murder, and suicide.

I read And I Don’t Want to Live this Life by Deborah Spungen in the early 90’s and DS’s and her take was so entirely blameless that it didn’t seem at all possible, if you know what I mean. After I became a parent, I revisited the biography and it struck me as two young adults, in over their heads with a colicky baby that when the pediatrician suggested a specific RX and it seemed to work, it probably seemed like a lifeline. As an adult, I view it as lazy - lazy on the doctor’s part, and on the parents’. But considering that doctors prescribed smoking cigarettes from the 1930’s to 1950’s, well, I guess we can’t really expect better. As a parent of an almost 20 year old, the life Nancy lived distresses me.

When I saw this book on NetGalley, I was curious to see how the ultimate fates of Nancy and Sid would be addressed in a new book. While there isn’t anything brand new here, the author does a good job of bringing the story into the 21st century - humanizing both, laying out all the known facts, theories, and presenting suspects.

No matter how one looks at it, the stories of Sid and Nancy, individually and together, are tragedies.

I found Room 100: Sid, Nancy, and the Night Punk Rock Died a worthwhile read and would recommend to fans, and those interested.



Thank you to Backbeat and NetGalley for the DRC

[Faithe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Room 100: Sid, Nancy and the night punk rock died by Jesse P. Pollack was a fascinating read! I was so excited when I got approved for the advanced copy of this book and it did not disappoint.

This book is not a history of The Sex Pistols or of Punk Rock in general. It focuses on the lives and ultimately the deaths of Sid Vicious and Nancy Apungen. It focuses in particular on the 4 months in late 1978 to early 1979 that captured the worlds attention.

Growing up I heard of Sid and Nancy but didn't actually know much about them. For example so was unaware that Nancy was an exotic dance.

The Chelsea Hotel where Nancy ultimately lost her life came into play, as did their next door neighbor at the hotel Vera Mendelssohn, who was able up walk into the crime scene next door and take the couple's kitten, named Socks.

The book drops little tidbits of information like that, which I found very interesting as well as try to answer if Sid killed Nancy in a drunken stupor, if Nancy was a victim of a robbery gone wrong or was it a death pact? Jesse, that author shows the reader which theories could be true and which could not. This is a interesting read for anyone who is interested in the music industry, the scandal/drama that took place or just Sid & Nancy themselves.

Huge thank you to Jesse for partnering with NetGalley. I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

[MKF · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is probably the most accurate book on Sid and Nancy and casts doubt on Sid's involvement in her death. This book is not in depth look at the crime though it's focus is on the crime. This is obvious because there is some information that has been ignored or left out that. I don't know if it was the author who chose to ignore or leave out the information or if the information just wasn't available to him. If the later I would have expected that to at least speculate or bring up these details. Instead we're left with large missing gaps and a ton more questions to add to all the other questions about what happened. We all know that this case will never be solved and we all believe we know who did it. This book allows us to look at most of the information available and maybe change your mind.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I remember watching the 1986 movie, "Sid and Nancy," when it came out. It was so bleak and depressing, but I never forgot it. As a teen, I was in awe of "punk". It seemed so cool, but the reality of heroin addiction was anything but.
I was hoping Pollack's book might provide a different perspective since decades have passed. Unfortunately, it does not. It's just as bleak and depressing, and with an overall angry tone. It's all very factual and well-researched, but there's nothing new or overly interesting in it. It would be a great book for someone with no prior knowledge and Sid and Nancy's tragic lives.
#NetGalley

[Curt Weiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

It would be reasonable to assume that over 45 years after the fact, there’s nothing new to be said on the topic of Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen. There have been numerous books, articles, and films purporting to get to the bottom of the whole sad affair. However, after reading this book, I’m here to tell you it’s simply not so. Jesse Pollack’s ROOM 100 is an extremely in depth, well documented and incredibly revealing read. It just may be the REAL final word on the topic. Whether you consider yourself a punk rock aficionado, a devotee of unsolved crime dramas or just looking for a compelling read, ROOM 100 is worth plunking a few dollars down for.

[Kendra Purtle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always been interested in this case and these people. This book is ripe with information that I found so intriguing. Though we will never truly know what happened on that fateful evening (morning, really, I guess), this book gives so much insight into what made Sid Sid and what made Nancy Nancy. What tragedy! What sadness! What loss and sorrow! I learned so much even though the case will never be solved. I have new insight and new awareness. I am sure glad I was able to read it.

[Jodie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vivid detail of the drug-induced lives and deaths of Nancy Spungen and Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols. Despite not knowing the music, this was an easily readable account of their backstories, along with the sex and drugs of their punk lifestyle. A bit shocking and sad at the same time considering how young they both were when their lives were cut short.

[Jon B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite thorough, well-written and respectful to Sid, Nancy, and the early days of punk rock.

[Janejellyroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had always thought of Sid Vicious as a violent reprobate who killed his annoying girlfriend and died before the trial. He may still be that person, but the case is absolutely more complex than that and Vicious and Spungeon were both significantly impacted by the failures of their parents. As they both died before I was born, I didn't really see how tragically young and unfinished both of them were when they died. Pollack has written a well-researched and empathetic account of what is known about the couple and the nights they died that doesn't sweep the unpleasant aspects of their personalities under the rug -- but also makes their humanity very apparent. There's true crime books where you aren't sure whether the author sees the victims as truly human. This is a huge step above those and the author has the integrity to make it clear what he doesn't know and also give credit to those who have previously researched the crime in question. I'm really glad I read this, as it gave me a much more complex understanding of both parties and the world in which they lived. I still wouldn't want to run into someone like Vicious in a bar, but cutting through the myth and legends surrounding him is quite an accomplishment.

I received a copy of this ebook via NetGalley.