Ramones Revive Dr Martens Fiasco

Joey Ramone’s brother has revealed that his family were never asked permission to use the rock icon’s image in a recent campaign for Dr Martens boots.

As previously reported, the campaign – which features Ramone, Kurt Cobain, Joe Strummer and Sid Vicious modelling the boots in heaven – was scrapped last week following heavy criticism about it’s portrayal of the dead rock stars.

Micky Leigh, Ramone’s brother, who was speaking on behalf of his family, said: “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.”

The ex-wife of Kurt Cobain, Courtney Love, also spoke out against the campaign’s images last week. In a statement, her spokesperson told The Sun: “Courtney did not, and would not, approve of such a use of Kurt’s name and likeness.”

Dr Martens withdrew the Saatchi & Saatchi campaign the day after it’s unveiling, saying that it was "very sorry for any offence that has been caused by the publication of images showing dead rock icons wearing Dr Martens boots."