The Ramones camp give verdict on U2 tribute

It seems the world and its mother have given their opinion on the new U2 album – or, more accurately, the way in which it was distributed – at this stage.
Today, however, brings praise for album opener and lead single 'The Miracle (Of Joey Ramone)' from The Ramones camp itself.
MTV have spoken to Marky Ramone, who drummed with the seminal New York punks for 15 years, as well as friends and family of the late, great Joey to get their take on the song U2 chose to perform at that now famous Apple Launch in Cupertino.
"I’m very grateful U2 wrote a song about my former friend and bandmate Joey Ramone,” said Marky. “Joey would have been honoured. It is well-deserved."
Mickey Leigh, Joey's brother, revealed that he had been working with Apple to gain approval for the use of Joey’s image without knowing what was in store.
When he heard about the band's plans, he said his "jaw dropped" but he was initially worried he would not like the track.
"And then I went to a friend’s house and I had to keep my heart going there, it's so beautiful. I loved it. It’s Bono's interpretation and his spirit, but it also captures Joey’s spirit. He described my brother’s spirit well. I think he got just what Joey would have wanted out of it."
'The Miracle (Of Joey Ramone)' deals lyrically with the time a teenage U2 snuck into the State Cinema – with a little help from Guggi – to see The Ramones play and the transformative effect it had on them, particularly Bono.
"I found my voice through Joey Ramone," Bono told Rolling Stone recently, "Because I wasn't the obvious punk-rock singer, or even rock singer. I sang like a girl — which I'm into now, but when I was 17 or 18, I wasn't sure. And I heard Joey Ramone, who sang like a girl, and that was my way in."

Pick up the new issue of Hot Press (on sale tomorrow, Thursday September 18) for our verdict on Songs Of Innocence.