• People, Friday, May 25, 2007 11 AM

The head of Dr. Martens shoes has apologized for an ad featuring Courtney Love's dead husband, Kurt Cobain, along with other deceased rock stars. "We are really, really, really sorry," says CEO David Suddens. "We do think that it is offensive. We made a mistake. My message to Courtney Love is: This is something we shouldn't have been doing."

Earlier this week, Love attacked the company, with her publicist saying she had "no idea this was taking place and would never have approved such a use. She thinks it's outrageous that a company is allowed to commercially gain from such a despicable use of her husband's picture."

The ad had Cobain wearing black Dr. Martens boots but in an angelic robe and sitting on a cloud. Tagged "Dr. Martens. Forever," it also featured similar images of the late Sid Vicious -- who murdered his girlfriend before killing himself -- and Joey Ramone. The ad appeared in only one publication and was meant for one-time use, although it got a lot of attention after showing up on Web sites. Suddens says: "When I found out what happened, I fired [the agency]," i.e. Saatchi & Saatchi.

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