Mickey Leigh, the brother of the late Joey Ramone, has spoken out about the current Doc Martens campaign which uses the image of his brother.
Leigh says that the family was not consulted or paid for the use of his brother's image to market Doc Martens' products."Obviously, we are in the same position as Courtney Love, as well as the Estates of the others depicted (in the ad). 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.
"Though we were about to formulate a statement to the above effect, Courtney certainly has a louder, more influential voice, and I am thrilled that she got through to the them."
As previous published in Undercover, a representative for Courtney Love issued the following statement. "Courtney had no idea this was taking place and would never have approved it. She thinks it's outrageous that a company is allowed to commercially gain from such a despicable use of her husband's picture.
"It does appear that in the UK what Dr. Martens has done is allowed. Courtney did not, and would not, approve of such a use of Kurt's name and likeness."
Doc Martens' David Suddens responded with an apology to Courtney but is yet to address the damage to the family of Joey Ramone.
