The Ramones clash over McCain endorsement

The surviving members — or rather, family members — of the Ramones are currently clashing over a certain eminent presidential election. Linda Cummings, the widow of the late and notoriously right-leaning Johnny Ramone, has received heat from Mickey Leigh, Joey Ramone’s brother, for using the band’s name to endorse John McCain’s bid for the U.S. presidency.

"As a president of Ramones Productions, and brother of Joey Ramone," said Leigh, "I just want it to be clear that Linda Cummings does not represent the political views of the Ramones. Surely, as for Joey Ramone, the only Ramones song he would sing at a Republican campaign event would be "Glad To See You Go"!"

The endorsement stems from the recent revelation that McCain’s daughter, Meghan, is a self-professed punk rocker whose favorite band is the Ramones. Meghan claims that "the only way to be punk rock anymore is to be conservative."

We interviewed drummer Marky Ramone back in June, in part discussing the interesting political divide within the band.