Tears In Heaven
This is news-y not only 'cause it's yet another posthumous appropriation of Kurt's likeness for corporate ends, but also 'cause Courtney had nothing to do with it. Shocking, yes. Reader Joe delivers the news about Doc Martens UK campaign to promote the durability and rocker appeal of their boots (see they even survive transubstantiation!). Here's what a Doc Martens writer had to say (via Ultimate Guitar):
We wanted to communicate that Dr. Martens boots are ‘made to last,’ and we discovered that these idolized musicians wore them. Showing them still wearing their Docs in heaven dramatized the boots’ durability perfectly. And, as images, they feel very iconic.
Yes, images plural. Also in the mix are heavenly images of Joey Ramone, Sid Vicious, and Joe Strummer. Take the jump for the snaps.
UPDATE: We've added the "DR. MARTENS REGRETS THE USE OF UNAUTHORISED IMAGES" press release too.
UPDATE 2: And Joey Ramone's brother's response.
Americans don't have to worry about these shots making billboards and subway stations anytime soon; according to The Daily Swarm, "the images have been cleared for use in the U.K. only, in an arrangement with Corbis, supplier of the original photographs." Though an exclusive advertorial deal with 27 Heaven would have been capitalistic synergy at its finest.
UPDATE: 5/24/07
NEWS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
DR. MARTENS REGRETS THE USE OF UNAUTHORISED IMAGES
Dr Martens is very sorry for any offense 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 based on FREEDM, which is dedicated to nurturing grass roots creativity and supporting emerging talent.
As a consequence, Dr Martens has terminated its relationship with the responsible agency.
David Suddens
Chief Executive
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UPDATE: 5/25/07
Mickey Leigh, brother of the late Joey Ramone, has issued the following statement concerning the seeming endorsement of Doc Martens:
"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."
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Posted at 10:37 AM
Tags: Kurt Cobain | Nirvana | The Clash | The Ramones | The Sex Pistols
I want to see some pictures like that of ad execs.
....oh.
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Funny how the only musicians they chose for this garbage were the ones who thoroughly despised the aims of the corporate world…
We need a new term for exploiting the memories of deceased musicians – anybody got an idea?
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JuBean, I have just been calling it getting Courtney-ed in the ass. There is (most likely) a more articulate way of putting it.
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if Sid Vicious is in heaven, I guess that means he didn't kill Nancy...
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this sucks. doc martens has stepped into mcworld and off of my feet.
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fart sed: this sucks. doc martens has stepped into mcworld and off of my feet.
I'm with you on this. This is a terrible appropriation of the dead. I'm glad this shite won't be seen in the US (not that the McAssholes wouldn't be capable of the same kind of shite.)
bigshoulders
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i'm sure doc martens knows this is totally dispicable. they just don't care. they're making money off the dead, pure and simple.
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note to self: never buy docs again
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To be fair, there was never a point at which Doc Martens were ever more than a brand of boots/shoes, made by a company, a for-profit company. I mean, yeah, it's unfortunate and gross, but more on general principle than anything having to do with Doc Martens specifically. I mean it's not like the company was ever trying to not make money. They certainly made a mint off suburban America in the 80s and 90s.
This is been the obnoxious voice of the nitpicker, thank you.
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That skeeves me out. Dammit, let the dead stay dead.
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Dude, there's capitalizing on dead people. And then there's this.
This is beyond tasteless. It's borderline sick.
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but arbitrary worship of "geniuses" keeps us from having to come up for an excuse as to why we're boring dipshits. How would we live if we thought Kurt Cobain was no better or more talented than us?
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So, Kurt changed his shoes on the way up?
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Those look more like togas rather than "divine" or "heavenly" loin cloths. Did John Belushi wear docs?
Yeah, this is just wrong. I feel more pissed at myself for being so naive to think that they wouldn't do something like this, that they actually had more respect and some loyalty for their customers and their legacy rather than the good 'ol pound, or euro, or whatever.
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i know it's corporate schlock designed to play to my nostalgia and emotions, but i must admit i smiled a bit looking at these. as sleazy as it is to use dead people to market shit (especially dead people who disdained the corporate world), this is kind of cute.
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Jed2 -
While I understand your point about a general capitalistic principle guiding Doc Martens approach to turning a profit, what you seem to be suggesting is that because they have never claimed to be anything other than a for-profit company, that there are no expectations or that they can simply sidestep social boundaries. You admit like everyone else that exploiting someone's memory, likeness, or body of work is a despicable practice, but just because a company never chooses to ascend to a higher level of social consciousness or impact, does not mean they are exempt from the societal laws that guide everyone else's decency standards.
We'd be talking about a completely different ballgame if the families of these musicians decided to allow Doc Martens to use their loved one's likenesses, because they are the people entrusted with these types of posthumous decisions. But Doc Martens underhandedly licensed these images from a photo bank without the family’s consent, and that, no matter how you slice it, is just wrong.
You are, however, very correct in stating that people somehow find validation in worshiping at the altar of what they deem to be "genius". But that's just a sad part of our culture, and an annoyance I could ramble on about for days.
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this is bullshit. everyone knows you wear birkenstocks in heaven.
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they probably aren't down with being put on a pedestal either. these posters or adverts are fine -- the boots last forever, i get it. next.
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Of course, this certainly isn't the first time a shoe company has capitalized off of a dead artist who would have never worked with them while alive--
http://www.kobayashi5.com/images/basquiat%20shoe.jpg
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i admit i kinda laughed at how the ridiculous the sid one looks, but scrolling down to see the joe strummer one made me really angry... that is just wrong.
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MURDER
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what the hell...
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JuBean, I completely agree. I was letting saying it was alright for them to do it, I was actually criticizing the notion held by many different people in all sorts of different subcultures that the product they like or feel is a part of their identity is anything other than a product. This is not surprising because it's a brand name and it's put out by a company looking to make a profit, and that's all it ever was. I'm just saying, investing too much meaning in a brand of shoes, or sunglasses, or sneakers, or pants, or guitar, or whatever the hell else (it's practical infinite), is specious and foolish and could only lead to disappointment in some form.
So, yes, I was talking about the expectation that Doc Martens wouldn't do this. Why the hell wouldn't they? Because they're so loyal to punk rock?
And advertising people are so fundamentally cynical that the part of their brains that might even register as to whether something is appropriate or not probably stops functioning after age 26 or so.
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what I meant was I wasn't saying it was alright for them to do it or excusable at all. That first sentence was mistyped, sorry. Oh god, I have work to do.
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jed2 -
I understand what you mean and I agree with you in that respect. People should never invest too much meaning in anything because it’s inherently daft and futile. But I guess ad agents just tend to be scum bags in an effort to advance in their careers.
And after reading through Augusten Burroughs' "Sellevision" novel and "Dry" memoir, where he either states or implies throughout both books that when you work in advertising or sales that you have to A: sell products you know are garbage under the guise that the name brand is just a better choice; or B: use dubious techniques in advertising just to grab attention, one can only imagine who's memory will be tarnished next.
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Where's Rick Astley?
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If it weren't for free markets and those eeeeeevil corporations, none of you poor stupid kids would even *have* shoes -- nor primo-quality corporate product like Clash records to worship, nor websites to whine on. You're like fleas in a dog's hair, sniveling because the dog's not an alligator.
But the ones who think Doc Martens are a sacred symbol of something-or-other, you guys are the *best*. They're JUST SHOES. Grow up already. You're pathetic.
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P.S. If it's wrong to be disrespectful of dead rock stars (since rock and roll is SO totally about solemnly respecting icons, RIGHT?), is it also wrong to be disrespectful of other dead public figures that a lot of folks admire? Like Jesus, for example?
Nope. If Jesus is fair game -- and in a free society, Jesus MUST be fair game -- it's open season on Joey Ramone, too. That's life.
You horrified kiddies are just like fundies getting outraged by "sacreligious" art. You think people should be required to respect your sacred crap just because you're so damn special.
You may talk about Joe Strummer, but you think like Strom Thurmond.
I repeat: Grow up already. You're pathetic.
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omg! Rick Astley is dead??
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Fuck off Bruce Grobellar.
I am appalled by these images simply because they show a lack of respect for the dead no matter who they are.
This shit ain't fucking art, so don't use that as a parellel, its using dead people to sell things against their will and that's fucking revolting.
These people have no way of defending themselves against the way their images are being used, their dead corpses are being whored and the whoring is being justified by those who claim this is part and parcel of living in a "free" society.
Society ain't totally free (if you haven't noticed) there are limits and there must be people with the backbone to cry foul when things go too far. No one should apologise if some cynical clown thinks this is an immature, or pathetic, reaction.
There's nothing more pathetic than people resigned to their fate in the world, who cynically snipe at those who show an ounce of compassion.
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I'd call it "necroshillia."
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...aka 'the old stiff sell.'
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Is this what Joe meant by making payments on a sofa or a girl?
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Take it from a freak from way back, the masses ape the innovaters. Anything truly cool today, is on magazine covers tomorrow, and mass produced the next. Doc Martin is no different. They were taken over long ago by number crunchers and bottom liners.
The only solace any of the outraged can take is that they may steal our ideas, rape our icons, and mutilate our attempts to be individuals. They can wear our clothes, speak our language, and listen to our music as if they found it themselves, whatever.
But only we know what it feels to walk out the door, pull on our shades, give the world the finger and know we are the freaks of the world, the ones your mother warned you about....
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"necromarketing"
"exhumtising"
"corpselling"
"grave jobbing"
"Rigor Whortis"
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el hond0 -
Necromarketing and grave jobbing are good, but rigor whortis is the best. Great job on that one!
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how bout "Exploithumous"?
Ugh....
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el hond0 -
Necromarketing and grave jobbing are good, but rigor whortis is the best. Great job on that one!
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Borth Grobian -
You are so incredibly oblivious if you think that because we live in a free market society that we are simply supposed to accept the tactics employed by the corporate world.
That's like saying that because I live in a democratic society that I have to suck the proverbial dick of the government that runs it. With that type of logic, there is no filter on standards and practices, because nobody is criticizing it. And that gives them free reign, which you personally know you would never agree with.
So on that note, I'm calling bullshit on you!
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as far as i'm concerned, none of these guys lived to die and be placed on clouds in rather comfy, relatively sturdy shoes. throw these guys in a fiery pit and test out their kicks, then we've got an ad campaign worth squabbling about. otherwise, doc mart's doesn't have my attention any more than when these guys were alive and wearing 'em.
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yeah... those guys.
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these guys are public figures, in the public domain... they're iconic. What makes this weird is the idea of these "counterculture icons" endorsing something they never had the chance to endorse. Which is a fair argument. But if Doc Marten had Jesus chilling in heaven with those shoes, the hipsters would be loving it. So what's sacred?
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Here's the thing guys:
I like docs as much as the next guy. Heck, I have a pair. But why would one need shoes in heaven? Isn't it just clouds and stuff?
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Besides, we all know suicide victims go to hell. DUH.
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I wouldn't love it if it were Jesus. It would be less offensive on one level, because the theoretical Jesus has been dead for 2000 years, but I actually do find the lazy trash-culture obsession with sacrilige to be fucking annoying in its simple-mindedness.
However, you're right, a lot of people would think THAT's funny, whereas some dudes from bands- not funny. I mean again, I think it's all gross, but still, not all of us hipsters have a 12-year-old skate punk's sense of humor.
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where did you rip these ad images from?
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"If it weren't for free markets and those eeeeeevil corporations, none of you poor stupid kids would even *have* shoes -- nor primo-quality corporate product like Clash records to worship, nor websites to whine on."
But Doc Martens still gets to cash in on "indie cred" (theoretically) while using images of musicians who mostly hated corporations. It must be great to be a corporation and always have it both ways, the only absolute left in this world being money.
Don't get me wrong. I like when I have money. Money is not inherently evil. It's just a shame about its becoming God.
Of course, these musicians' images were used that way in life as well. Otherwise no one ever would have thought David Geffen had any cred at all. Wasn't this one of the reasons Cobain shot himself? But in a way this is good: this kind of thing has killed the idea of the "rock god."
Hey, if they do an ad with the dripping remains of Cobain's head, blown to smithereens above the jawline, then I'll say, "Hey, now THAT'S punk!"
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Dr. Martan cleverly pulled some messed up shit right there.
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good for waffle makin', kickin' in the shin, and sending around press releases when they fire agencies
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McAssholes? You think all Americans suck because of a few rednecks and a totalitarian government run amuck? Congratulations, you're a redneck too.
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These ads are nothing but swap meet-style bootleg (no pun intended) pop culture posters. But aside from the obvious, I would venture to say that none of the above stars ever wore dark martens, especially not on a regular basis. Joe strummer may have had better opportunity to wear docs but I would not be sure about that.Sneaker wearers to a man.These Ads are Real stupid and exploitative and just plain insulting to the fans.
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UPDATE: Saatchi & Saatchi, the bell-ends who came up with this crazy money making scam, got the axe from Dr. Martens.
http://music.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,2088221,00.html
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Saatchi & Saatchi, the bell-ends who came up with this crazy money making scam, got the axe from Dr. Martens.
Justice, of a sort, S&S are well-known for their right-wing campaigns (most notably for Thatcher's Tory party) and the Saatchi brothers being contributors to the Conservatives.
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don't get me wrong, i think this sucks, but were you all up in arms over audrey hepburn dancing in the gap ad?
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Radical Edward... I WAS all worked up over Audrey Hepburn dancing in the Gap ad. Also when they put Fred Astaire in a vacuum cleaner ad.
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