RAMONES - RAMONES JOIN ADVERT ROW

RAMONES JOIN ADVERT ROW

LATEST: The RAMONES have waded into the row over footwear giant Dr. Martens' controversial advertisement which uses dead rock stars in heaven to promote boots. The company has already apologised to Courtney Love for featuring her late husband Kurt Cobain in the commercial. Now the brother of Joey Ramone - also depicted in the ad - is demanding a similar response. Mickey Leigh says, "Obviously, we are in the same position as Courtney Love, as well as the estates of the others (featured in the advertisements). "We were never consulted about this ad. We were never asked for permission to use Joey's image, or paid for the use of it. As executor of my brother's estate I never would have approved this ad as Joey never wore these shoes. And, not that my brother was terribly religious, but the fact that he was Jewish, and this ad is not exactly Kosher, makes it that much more inappropriate, inconsiderate and contemptible." The footwear manufacturer has since sacked the advertising agency behind the advert, Saatchi + Saatchi, adding, "Dr Martens is very sorry for any offence that has been caused by the publication of images showing dead rock icons wearing Dr Martens boots. Dr Martens did not commission the work as it runs counter to our current marketing activities." Other late rock stars featured in the campaign included Joe Strummer and Sex Pistol Sid Vicious.