Henry Rollins: The Column! Joey Ramone's Legacy Is in Danger

What a hurtful piece of writing. As you well know, Mickey Leigh is pretty much in control of his brothers legacy, I'm sure he released his brothers songs for positive reasons, fuelled by love and a lot of thought. Also, we are adults, we can choose whether to listen to the album or not. Please keep your spiteful views to yourself. 

What's hurting the legacy is not the album but these nasty comments and public bickering.  It takes the enthusiasm right out of the music, and no one buys music they are not enthusiastic about.  Here's some free business advice: take it offline.

Just his jealous brother....book ...album...he'll be in all the videos

CJ

I listened to the album, and it made my stomach turn. I thought it was just me. Thanks, Mr Rollins, for speaking out.

Another disgrace that has to be mentioned is 'The American Prayer' by 'Jim Morrison and The Doors'. They might have published the poems without the cocktail music. But that wouldn't have sold. And they needed the money, poor punks that they are.

- Matti Paasio

Helsinki

The VH1 spokesman and star of Wrong Turn 2 is worried about someone else's legacy?

Henry Rollins expressed his opinion. He has the right to feel the way he does, as do all of us. I happen to feel the same way Henry does. Something has always seemed slightly disrespectful to me about this album. I'm happy to remember Joey through all of the great music he released before his passing.

what a a shame to fuck with your brothers guts- even if he's our punk-angel!!

shame to you!!!

joey ramone was more a brother to all of us around the world than you, mr. posthumous manager !!!!

apo ramone ,  greece

ps: i know that you couldn"t make it on time!

Lee Ving, Jello Biafra, Lydia Lunch come to mind just off the top of my head.  You aint no punk you punk.

A thing I find most intriguing about a great many of these comments is how little they relate to an actual hypothesis as to what went on "In the in of Henry Rollins" or any of the rest of the haters here. My thesis is you have some kind of personal vendetta you need to feed and see it as a perfect opportunity to gorge yourselves.  Whether you chose to agree or not with "The Estate" what a ton of you are easily blind to as you chomp down is that estate is a person- with feelings and-to me anyway- maybe needed to release "...Ya Know" with an agenda of nothing more than its catharsis. I mean c'mon do you really think THIS is going to be the project that will make "The Estate" a millionaire? Yes yes I'm sure it was all about the money money money even if it means marring the perfect image of Poor Joey that we're all left with. .*as a sidebar I find it really amusing how judgemental some are in that you state IF Joey wanted these songs released he'd have released them himself.  How do ANY of you know he didn't intend to but just never got around to it?  I imagine ALL of you have everything up-to-date in YOUR lives?* SOcouldn't possibly be that

A thing I find most intriguing about a great many of these comments is how little they relate to an actual hypothesis as to what went on "In the mind of Henry Rollins" or any of the rest of the haters here. My thesis is you have some kind of personal vendetta you need to feed and see it as a perfect opportunity to gorge yourselves.  Whether you chose to agree or not with "The Estate" what a ton of you are easily blind to as you chomp down is that estate is a person- with feelings and-to me anyway- maybe needed to release "...Ya Know" with an agenda of nothing more than its catharsis. I mean c'mon do you really think THIS is going to be the project that will make "The Estate" a millionaire? Yes yes I'm sure it was all about the money money money even if it means marring the perfect image of Poor Joey that we're all left with. .*as a sidebar I find it really amusing how judgemental some are in that you state IF Joey wanted these songs released he'd have released them himself.  How do ANY of you know he didn't intend to but just never got around to it?  I imagine ALL of you have everything up-to-date in YOUR lives?* SO couldn't possibly be that "The Estate" a horrible monster only interested in his dead brother cash cow really was proud of Joey and believes that his legacy will 'forgive" him out of love and earnestly sweated and cried blood to get this record made...as if it's easy to sell a ghost. Oh and by the way, the ones here who say "I was on this record" and now chastise Mr. Leigh and question his motives through one side of their mouth while stroking their loyalties to "good friends"  with the other I say christ what a hypocrite What were YOUR motives when you gareed to play on the record or were you held at gunpoint? .  You want to call me a moron or a clown some other remotely hostile term of dis-endearment please feel free as that appears to be your only recourse rather than taking a stand on one side of the line and defending it with concrete convinction go ahead- it only goes to show how rdiculous you are. But I digress because that is less important than the rest of this crap.  We are lucky enough to be living in the free world- where we can make judgements and like or not like what we want....and say so but cutting something or someone down because you think you'll gain respect- love- admiration or increase your importance is utterly f-ed up. You responded how you did because you hate and that is ugly. like "...Ya know"... don't like it but don't use it as a weapon or a step to climb up on your soapbox. Enjoy life...it's really way too short. Love you Joey - Ya know? 

I feel particularly stupid now b/c I've now read your other post on the board; I had only read select posts that popped out at me. Shit! Here I'm tring to be om the side of good in Ramonesland, but wrote carelessly. Oh well, I don't matter in this.

Mickey, first of all its a great fucking album. I also really enjoyed your book. The thing about the will, that explains a lot, but I don't know if that info was out there, at least I hadn't encountered it. I'm sorry about the "jealous" observation, I certainly didn't mean disrespect, but I choose a poor world. Elsewhere I used the term "complicated feelings", I mean I got that from the book, which I've read more than once. You cowrote "censorshit", "9-5 world", and lots more, and b/c you're his blood and life is complicated, you didn't get your due. But there's Rey, not a more talented musician or songwriter than you, on stage with Joey, recieving songwriting credits, and, according to your book, at times acting as if he's protecting Joey from you, his brother. I'm just a fan who loves your brother's music and inspiring legacy. Was blessed to meet him twice in NYC, and he couldn't have been cooler. I like Rey's work with the Ramones and elsewhere a lot, and I like the Rattlers too, so I was agreeing with the poster that it would be nice from a fan's perspective if the title "we're a happy family" weren't so ironic. Even Johnny expressed the same thing in Commando, that its too bad for the fans all the negative band politics. So, again, sorry for the poor word. I don't agree with Rollins for what its worth, love the fucking album, just the way it is.

1. In 2002, I asked Daniel Rey to pick and produce 4 songs of the 12. I wanted very much to include him in this project. He refused, insisting that he and he alone should finish them, using a drum machine and playing all the instruments himself. He also said he would not allow input from anyone. 2. Ed Stasium was a dear friend of Joey's and someone he loved working with. Ed had moved to LA, Daniel Rey lived around the corner. If Ed had not moved he most definitely would have continued to work with Ed, as well as Daniel. He worked with several people aside from Rey. "Partner" or not; as if him saying that once on a stage means he meant it literally. Anyone who believes that Joey Ramone needed Daniel Rey, or ANYONE as a partner must not be...nevermind. 3. My plan was to have Daniel, Ed, Tommy Ramone, Jean Beaviour and even Phil Spector, all work on Joey's final album. Richie Stotts had already asked Joe Blaney to produce the song he brought in (the original 4trk cassette demo of which was recorded by Billy Hilfiger on his Fostex. Billy handed the tape over to us saying, "here, this belongs to you guys." He did not want one cent.) Andy Shernoff produced the song he had. 4. When, in 2002, Rey became possessive about this whole thing --- though Joey had paid him for his work recording these demos-- I offered him $30,000 to turn them over, and STILL offered him the opportunity to pick four songs to produce himself -as i stated above- plus an additional production fee. Once again, he refused. I made every attempt to have him included.Daniel Rey was not the only person Joey ever worked with. Rey could have been part of the group of Joey's friends and collaborators that worked on this record, but instead chose to hold the tapes for ransom from his mother. When making his will he was asked, specifically, if he wanted to designate Rey as the person to oversee, control and maintain his musical works. He was asked the same about several others. His response was that he wanted his family to look after those things for him. A shocking notion to some people here, but not uncommon at all.I produced the two songs I'd recorded with my brother on my 4 track, in the 80's. At that time I also was quite busy recording my own songs, playing with my own bands, and was quite happy to see someone else help him make his demos rather than lug my equipment to his apartment. I wasn't the slightest bit jealous of Daniel Rey. But, of course that's a simple conclusion that simple minded people come to. I have my own life, and am anxious to get back it. BTW- "Going Nowhere Fast"form Joey's album went to  NUMBER ONE on Italian radio charts today. It was produced by Ed Stasium. I think my brother's legacy is safe Henry.

Frankie, I agree w/ all of what you wrote, besides your dismissiveness of Mr. Rollins catalogue. Anyone paying attention during the Nirvana early 90's can name "Liar", a song for which hammering Hank was nominated for best hard rock grammy and was ubiquitous during that era, especially on MTV. In the 80's, what if any contemporary music were Ramones fans listening to? Some of us were listening to extant punk and hardcore- Dead Kennedys, Husker Du, Replacements, Black Flag, Suicidal Tendencies, and much more. Of the genre, Rollins-sung BF ditties like "Rise Above", (the admittedly silly novelty song) "TV Party", and "Six Pack" stand as well known classics to those who followed the stuff. People who don't "pay attention" to punk can probably only name "Sedated", "Blitzkrieg Bop" (and that probably not by name), and if they saw the movie, "Rock n' Roll High School" by our boys. You know how well the actual Ramones got along. Its probably a lot to expect Mickey and Linda to have positive communications... a lot of backed up water under that bridge. If you read Mickey's book, you know how he feels about Rey. Think he was jelous of Joey's songwriting relationship w/ DR, that's how I read it. Mickey seems to have a lot of complicated feelings about Joey and the Ramones legacy, that's for sure. But I wish him the best, and yeah, it would be nice if they all got along, wouldn't it? Thats a Ramones problem thats been going on for a good 35 years though hasn't it...

I like this album. It would have been better if Mickey and Daniel could have just gotten along and worked together. But they didn't. The last time I saw Joey perform with Daniel, Joey referred to Daniel as his partner.  He was not just a sideman. Mickey and Linda should get along as well, in order to be good stewards of the Ramones legacy, instead of only promoting their individual Ramone. Hank Rollins has an opinion and a blog. That's fine. But I wouldn't take advice from a guy who is a famous rock singer that virtually no one can name one song he is known for.  He is known for being a 'punk' singer, but not for any actual music. Seems like a cool guy, but clearly he has a bias here. (Linda)   He's no HDM! Can't we all just get along? DFFD!!

I'm remembering back to when I read the book, besides the Bessman book, there was the Lifestyles VHS, and I don't remember if Around the World and We're Outta Here tapes were out yet too, but while I enjoyed these videos for what they were, nothing went beneath the surface. On the Road and End of the Century were the ones that did. Lobotomy I only read recently. Interesting book... Anyway dude, again, I'm just a random fan (name's Keith), but I'm curious, are you connected to the Ramones circle? 'Cuz I'm surprised a fan would be pissed at the guy (Monte). But if your loyal to someone else that doesn't think Monte should have any share of the legacy...  

Jason, I assure you I'm not Monte, I am a science teacher from Brooklyn/Ramones fan. Doesn't CJ have Daniel Rey playing guitar and a guy from Kyuss, and they're doing Ramones tunes? God bless him by the way, I'd love to see it. I've seen Marky's Blitzkrieg and it was a blast. As a fan, i don't wanna let go. Here's what I meant by those 2 comments. #1 "as much a Ramone": Only John and Joey were with the band the whole time apart from Monte and I guess Arturo. He was there in the begining, it was a division of labor, you know how pragmatic Johnny was. If Monte had any charisma, they'd of had him sing or play bass. But he was part of the fabric of the band the whole time, in the van with the others, getting those 2263 shows done. #2 My compliment about the book is based on this: Prior to reading it, I had read "Ramones: American Band" by Jim Bessman. I had went to Tower in the city and was excited to see such a book. I am almost completely uncritical of anything Ramones related, I mean I think "standing in the Spotlight" is a good rap CD. But that book was... stinky. Learned nothing. Monte's book when I found it was an oasis. I fuckin liked it ok? Was the writing great? No, I guess it was a compilation of quotes, or however you described it, but it gave me insight into the band that I didn't see elsewhere at the time. But anyway, the guy spent his life working for the band just as the band members did, so why begrudge him his continued efforts? I mean, what else has his life's work prepared him to do (any more than CJ or Mark, the latter of whom probably at least banked enough cash from his career?). Besides, the book is quality IMHO. So he works at the Hall of Science huh? I'll look for him next time I take a class trip there, or go with my son's scouts. Oh, and I dont know what in my other post looked like it was saying that anything about the other guys' stuff sucks, but no I don't think that at all!

Jason, I assure you I'm not Monte, I am a science teacher from Brooklyn/Ramones fan. Doesn't CJ have Daniel Rey playing guitar and a guy from Kyuss, and they're doing Ramones tunes? God bless him by the way, I'd love to see it. I've seen Marky's Blitzkrieg and it was a blast. As a fan, i don't wanna let go. Here's what I meant by those 2 comments. #1 "as much a Ramone": Only John and Joey were with the band the whole time apart from Monte and I guess Arturo. He was there is the begining, it was a division of labor, you know how pragmatic Johnny was. If monte had any charisma, they'd of had him sing or play bass. But he was part of the fabric of the band the whole time, in the van with the others, getting those 2263 shows done. #2 My compliment about the book is based on this: Prior to reading it, I had read "Ramones: American Band" by Jim Bessman. I had went to Tower in the city and was excited to see such a book. I am almost completely uncritical of anything Ramones related, I mean I think "standing in the Spotlight" is a good rap CD. But that book was... stinky. Learned nothing. Monte's book when I found it was an oasis. I fuckin liked it ok? Was the writing great? No, I guess it was a compilation of quotes, or however you described it, but it gave me insight into the band that I didn't see elsewhere at the time. But anyway, the guy spent his life working for the band just as the band members did, so why begrudge him his continued efforts? I mean, what else has his life's work prepared him to do (any more than CJ or Mark?). Besides, the book is quality IMHO. So he works at the Hall of Science huh? I'll look for him next time I take a class trip there, or go with my son's scouts. Oh, and I dont know what in my other post looked like it was saying that anything about the other guy's stuff sucks, but no I don't think that at all!

  "Perhaps my hesitation to more fully embrace this album is personal and selfish. Take the final track, an acoustic version of "Life Is a Gas" that's different from the version featured on the last Ramones studio album, Adios Amigos! When I first heard that song, it made me sad because I thought it was Joey saying goodbye to the world. It still gets me, and this new version is so up-close it's almost impossible for me to listen to." I only need to address one thing to make my point. Henry says, above, that when he first heard Life's A Gas on Adios Amigos, which came out in July '95, he thought it was Joey saying goodbye to the world, and it made him sad. Henry, you mean you thought he was saying goodbye to the world because he knew he was going to die soon? Why else? Henry would like his readers to believe that he is informed and speaking with real knowledge, but his story is tantamount to a fairy tale as the fact is my brother was not even diagnosed with lymphoma until late '94, AFTER he'd written that song. And - here's the kicker- NO ONE, not even his band, knew about it except for me and my mother, and a (very) few people very close to us. Plus, it was at such a low level at that point they weren't even treating him for it yet. But here's Henry, talking as if he somehow knew about it, in 1995, and he was sad because Joey was saying goodbye to the world.... a world he would still be living in for another 6 years!? Not to mention he had just about beat his disease and in December of 2000 his doctors were a few good blood tests away from considering him in remission. Didja know that Henry? One thing I guarantee you is that my brother never EVER said goodbye to the world. nor was it even a thought in his head. Not even as he breathed his last conscious breaths. If not for that fatal fall he took on Dec 30, 2000, requiring a hip transplant and the postponing of his cancer meds which allowed caused the cancer to advance, he might very well still be here today. Henry...you're busted. You are attempting to dupe naive people who think you are an honest man with high standards and principles. And, I'll admit, I used to be one of them. I actually admired, had respect for you, and believed you were a sincere person. Good acting, but this is not a TV show. You are talking about my family here, and things you know NOTHING of, yet you yap away and douse your demon slick with water sprung from your sparkling and glorious stream of self-righteousness..There is no way that you might have thought Joey was saying goodbye to the world in 1995, unless you possess extraordinary powers of sensory perception and were sad because you knew Joey would die... 6 years later! Ya really wanna stick to this story? Thank you for making yourself transparent...to me at least, and, possibly, to others reading this. Your athletic supporter on here, who seems to delight in bullying women, and feels compelled to protect and defend someone who bullied his "friend" Joey Ramone's mother, is evidently quite confused. I'm as imperfect as can be, but I take advantage of no one and would never hurt anyone intentionally, withstanding perilous cause, like say punishing my mother til her dying day, and continuing to punish her after she's gone, as are you Dick. She wanted this record to come out more than anyone. Tthe tapes her son bequeathed to her, which your hero Daniel Rey deprived her of belonged to her, not Daniel Rey, and you know that, Dick. Though you've made it more than apparent - and on this world wide web- that you could not care less what your "friend of 30 years" wanted. I've heard you espouse all kinds of love and affection for her as well. You would be saying these things if she were still here, right? Well, I'm telling you she's still here, right here. Go ahead. Let's hear what you would say to her about Daniel Rey, who tried to get $100,000 out of her, who wouldn't give her a fucking cassette of her son's songs, as she'd begged him for- not even with gaps in it to ensure him she would not "put it on the internet" as was his explanation for withholding even that. And the person who treats Joey's mother like that is someone you deem Joey's best friend? What kind of a friend would lay so much hurt on his friend's mother. And you are so virulently defending this type of atrocious behavior? Really. Well, then you must be as lowly, demented and cold hearted as he is then. Shame on me, huh? Because I thanked Ed Stasium "for joining us in our 8 year long tug-of-war with the person who was withholding Joey's demo tapes from all of us."? This is the big insult your are so intensely worked up over. So much so you go scouring the internet looking for reviews so you can post your severely OVERLY DRAMATIC ATTACKS on me? Ed Stasium made a similar statement on the cover, so how is it that doesn't have you drooling like a rabid dog, hurling your bile insults at him DICK! Are you so infuriated over poor Daniel getting insulted or not? No, I think that right there makes it blatantly obvious it's not the insults that has you so out of control. . No doubt everyone seeing this envisions you sitting at your computer so worked up your face is blood red, your head about to explode and you've likely lost control of your bowels... because you are so full of shit. Do you really think anyone seeing this, seeing your crude insulting behavior, calling at least 3 people here names, throwing tantrums like a three year old believes it is because of what I said above? That's the horrible insult you're losing your lunch over? You need help Richard. You need to blame me. You are obsessed with me, and you are visibly losing it. I know you have a big problem taking responsibility for your actions, and now you are even trying to divert the abominable actions of other people to shift the blame on someone else in order to not have them be accountable for them as well. You can stomp and shout and attack anyone you can't succeed in turning against me. you can attempt to seal my fate with your plastic wrapping, but my conscience is quite clear.The guy treated my mother like garbage, what do think I'm going to do, pat him on the back?Do you understand that in treating his family that way he thoroughly disrespected my brother as well? Probably not. You are too full of rage to think straight. What's next, you gonna blame me for your bar going down the tubes? Get back on the program. get help. Treating people the way you are lately you are likely going to smashed over the head by someone again. It was your big foul mouth that brought that on you last time. next issue= Money? Truth is I'll be lucky if I ever even recoup the several hundred thousand dollars I laid out to make this record. If there is anyone here who knows the average sales of a Ramones album, be it band or solo, and the current status of the music business, you'll have no problem believing that. Sure Henry, I am just rolling in money from this record. I'm sure you are raking in the dough from your record sales also, aren't you? Brilliant. Go cash the check you got from Linda "Ramone", a real "protector" of the Ramones name.I know this is a precious waste of precious time, but sometimes we all need to let out some steam. I can take whatever is thrown at me, and there has been a lot, and there will be more. My only intentions with thisrecord were to fulfill a promise my brother and I made to each other a long time ago, which was to see to it that any works we had unfinished we would make sure they saw the light of day if something happened to either of us. What do you think of that Hanky Panky? My other intention was to make some people happy. And I'm seeing all kinds of joy out there. It's a beautiful thing. The few bitter, jealous and venom filled people who need to attack me? fuck 'em. I'll let roll right off me. Handsome Dick? Anytime. I'll meet you, debate you, whatever. Bring it. But bring it when you know I'm there- you don't have to unfriend me from your Facebook page so you can attack me with the luxury of not allowing me to respond. Youdon't have to hide. I'm not going to hurt you. Too bad you're so mad you can't even enjoyyour own work. I understand. Misery needs company. You need to protectsomeone who punished Joey's mother, and needs to punish me because he, well he'snot Joey's brother, and I am, and I'm the one he entrusted with his legacy. Kill me. Or get over it, or... don't. It's your life. You two can console and protect each other if that's what makes you happy with yourselves.Enjoy. I'm at peace.

What's your deal with name calling here, I've been called a Moron by you, a clown, a fool? You can't accept someone has a differing view from your own you must belittle me for being able to think for myself. What's your deal why are you so angry and lashing out at other people over the Internet? It's obvious you have personal issues and you are very emotional, but YOU are even a guest on the record, what's your problem? Nobody is attacking anyone here, but your posts are brag hearted in nature and riddled with hate. Get over yourself man. It's not about you.

BTW, I still think the world of you, Henry, and I know you aren't speaking out of jealousy or anger - you are a purist at heart and to some extent I can appreciate that, but these are people in mourning and they are acting out of love.  They're just holding on to whatever is left with both fists.

Even Mozart died before completing his Requiem mass - his estate made sure to that other composers completed his unfinished work and guess what, Henry, today nobody cares and everyone still loves Mozart and his Requiem mass is still played to this day.  I don't think the entire career of Joey Ramone is sullied because the people closest to him are unwilling to let him go just yet.  And some fans want to hear every last syllible he ever uttered and are willing to put down a couple bucks to hear his voice this one last time before he's gone forever.

It's one thing to have an opinion on the album, and another thing entirely to spew propaganda in the guise of opinion in order to curry favor with Linda and promote her monetary agenda.  Sadly, this article is really just biased propaganda as shown by the ridiculous and histrionic title that "Joey Ramone's Legacy is in Danger".  Joey Ramone's legacy will never be in danger as his music, voice and talent will never be forgotten and will always remain.  It's also presumptuous (and insulting) to assert that an album you don't like is somehow going to weaken Joey Ramone's incredible and amazing legacy.  Lastly, it's pretty telling from the comments that all of the loudest (and rudest) detractors of the album are either aligned with Linda and/or have personal issues with Joey's brother.

THE ATTACK ON DANIEL REY, ON THE RECORD, IS NOT MY FRIEND JOEY RAMONE! SHAMEFUL!!!!!

A blind one who doesnt care what this is REALLY about..SHAMEFUL!

Brothers legacy..ARE U A CLOWN?...Attacking Joey's best friend, Daniel on THE RECORD...You are living in FANTASY LAND..FOOL!

MORONIC is your reply to me, really? name calling now. Is that necessary, I can respect someone's opinion and have a reasonable discussion wihtout resorting to name calling whoever you are. 

Daniel Rey wanted to release the tracks untouched, which would've been a better approach. The album would've been a historic document for the fans. Instead, we get a CD that we know for a fact Joey would not have put out. Joey, with Johnny, tried to wipe the memory of Richie Ramone from the Ramones legacy. Yet, all of a sudden, there's Richie playin' the drums for Joey. Frankly, this wouldn't be as much an issue if the source material were up to the Joey Ramone standard anyway. Thank you, Henry, for saying something few fans dare say.

Jennie, Thank you for writing your thoughts,  As I agree with you completely. Brilliant! I like what you said here too. " I've been independently poor my whole life and the most money hungry people I've ever known were the richest.  I don't fault people for wanting to make more money, it is what it is, all business. ":)

Very punk dude. Thanks for clearing things up. Gotta go fix my Mohawk and studded belt.

what George replied I'm amazed that anyone able to earn $5349 in one month on the internet. did you see this site lazycash42.c()m 

I'm with you, Henry. Except for the kudos you show the Zappa Family Trust. I guess you haven't noticed how many of the new Zappa releases contain tracks you already own on other albums. The sneaky buggers just rename the tracks and you think you are buying something new until you hear it. This happens exclusively with the Zappa Records (ZFT issued) albums, yet not on the Vaulternative releases. At least the Miles catalog has no half arsed posthumous releases

It's a really good album. The songs are good and they aren't much interfered with. It seems justified.

I suppose the exception (or should be) to the deceased artist getting banked would be Nat King Cole's "Unforgettable" that his daughter, Natalie, beautifully accompanied with in when the song was re-released in 1991.

I see things differently I guess.  I think that the work of Joey Ramone and any artist that has passed on speaks for itself and that the lasting legacy is in the music they created while on earth.  Things done after an artist passes are beyond their control, if the new stuff isn't up to standards, to me it does not hurt the legacy of the artist.. New releases are a reflection of those releasing the material. Some people want to honor an the legacy of an artist by keeping it pure and leaving good enough alone but others have different ideas. People can try and second guess what the artist might or might not have wanted but we will never know.  Why would an estate do this?  There are a variety of reasons as mentioned in the article but this is the music business and if a penny can be squeezed out of releasing something, someone will find a way to do it.  It doesn't matter if the estate has plenty of money.  I've been independently poor my whole life and the most money hungry people I've ever known were the richest.  I don't fault people for wanting to make more money, it is what it is, all business. Personally, I find it creepy when unfinished work is completed by someone other than the artist that has passed.  I've never been a fan of someone else finishing music, a book, or a movie of any type of artists.  I would rather hear, see, or read the unfinished work and use my imagination as to how it might have been completed.   I can understand why unfinished work would be completed and released as there are fans that are left wanting more and want to hear everything possibly made by an artists.  I don't fault fans for wanting that.  When someone whose work we love passes away it leaves us wanting so much more. For some new music keeps the artist alive in a way and helps fulfill an emptiness but for others new music created after the fact doesn't bring back the person just like a hologram does not resurrect someone from the dead.  Gone is gone and the finality of that sucks.  I don't think that either side in this debate is wrong or right.  We just all have different opinions on how the work of an artist should be presented and preserved after they are gone.  

And Your Point Is???

Learn all about Joey Ramone & the Ramones in the book;  “ON THE ROAD WITH THE RAMONES”. Throughout the remarkable twenty-two-year career of the Ramones the seminal punk rock band, Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famers and Recording Academy Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winners Monte A. Melnick saw it all. He was the band’s tour manager from their 1974 CBGB debut to their final show in 1996. Now, in this NEW UPDATED EDITION he tells his story. Full of insider perspectives and exclusive interviews and packed with over 250 personal color photos and images; this is a must-have for all fans of the Ramones.