Marky Ramone, the jacket and the auction

RR Auction of Amherst, N.H., put on auction a black leather jacket worn by the Ramones’ second drummer, Marky Ramone, during his first stint with the band, from 1978 to 1983.
A bidding war for the object - which was described as "in fine condition, with expected wear from stage use” - started immediately and, by Tuesday afternoon, the price had reached $3,146. But at that point Marky posted an update on Facebook saying: "I know nothing about it. Yes, I had more than one coat. But this is not mine".

RR Auction then decided to withdraw the jacket on Wednesday, the day before bidding was to close. "Although RR Auction believes the jacket to be absolutely authentic”, said Bobby Livingston, the firm’s press liaison, “we are choosing to investigate Marky Ramone’s claims so we may establish without a doubt that this is, in fact, authentic".

Mr. Ramone, 55, whose real name is Marc Bell, then wrote an e-mail from Italy explaining that when it came to leather jackets, his memory was anything but shaky. "The jacket I wore in ’78 is documented on my first band ‘Dust’ album cover”, he wrote, “I put out a capsule collection of leather jackets with Tommy Hilfiger, and I can dig up my articles on the subject of wearing a motorcycle jacket five years before the Ramones existed”.
Marky was pleased to learn that the contested artifact had been withdrawn and wrote: "If there is a lesson to be learned about the band, it’s appreciate people while they are still alive. Go kiss someone you love”.