Late punk icon Johnny Ramone's estate has become the focus of a battle between his widow LINDA CUMMINGS and mother STELLA CUMMINGS.

The former RAMONES star - real name JOHN CUMMINGS - died on 15 September (04) in Los Angeles of prostate cancer. He was 55.

In an interview with American website PAGESIX.COM, Stella claims her famous son promised her $2,500 (GBP1,315) a month, but she believes Linda convinced the rocker to leave her out of his will.

Stella laments, "I think she got him to change the will when he was sick, but I don't have any proof.

"It's been one big nightmare for me. Two weeks before my son passed away, he said, 'Linda will send you a cheque every week.'

"I haven't received a penny from her. And she's used foul language to me. It's disgusting. She said, 'You'll never get a penny of this money.' It's not her money, it's my son's money. She can't give me something to survive on?"

Supermarket cashier Stella was distraught when Linda failed to notify her the date of Johnny's cremation service.

Stella continues, "That's my son!. And I was close to my son. I was never told about it."

Linda responds, "Everyone always leaves everything to their wife. Her son made every decision, and everyone who knew Johnny Ramone knows that. No one ever told him anything. She wasn't left anything in the will. That was her son's choice, not mine.

"She has every bit of information from my estate lawyer to her estate lawyer. If she can't accept his decision, that's her problem. It's very sad that she called a newspaper about this. Johnny was such a private person and I know he's looking down at her and saying, 'This is disgraceful.' It is really despicable and disgusting to do this to him. It's my money and Johnny's money."

24/12/2004 13:07