Kiss has been dropped from a Michael Jackson tribute concert following objections from fans and the singer's estate regarding bassist Gene Simmons' remarks insisting that the late singer had molested children.
"Under the circumstances, we fully agree that even though Kiss is a band Michael admired, we have no choice but to rescind our invitation to them to appear in our tribute concert," Global Live Events CEO Chris Hunt wrote in a statement yesterday.
Simmons has spoken candidly about his belief that Jackson had molested children in several interviews over the years, including some comments that came within days of the King of Pop's death in 2009. "Well, you know, where there's smoke, there's fire," Simmons told Classic Rock magazine last year. "There's no question in my mind he molested those kids. Not a doubt."
Photos: Michael Jackson Remembered
Michael Forever: The Tribute Concert is scheduled for October 8th at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. As of now, the show will feature performances by Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, Smokey Robinson, Leona Lewis, Alien Ant Farm and Craig David.
Photo by DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images