This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/entertainment-arts-14556095
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Kiss dropped from Jackson concert | Kiss dropped from Jackson concert |
(40 minutes later) | |
Organisers of a Michael Jackson tribute concert in Cardiff have been criticised for booking Kiss after the rock band said the star was a child abuser. | |
Kiss were removed from the bill after controversy over comments bassist Gene Simmons made last year. Jackson was cleared of child molestation in 2005. | Kiss were removed from the bill after controversy over comments bassist Gene Simmons made last year. Jackson was cleared of child molestation in 2005. |
His brother Jermaine said: "This mishandling reinforces my view that this promoter is getting it all wrong." | His brother Jermaine said: "This mishandling reinforces my view that this promoter is getting it all wrong." |
Christina Aguilera and Leona Lewis are due to take part in the October show. | Christina Aguilera and Leona Lewis are due to take part in the October show. |
The Michael Forever concert is being endorsed by Jackson's mother Katherine and several siblings, but has been opposed by brothers Jermaine and Randy. | The Michael Forever concert is being endorsed by Jackson's mother Katherine and several siblings, but has been opposed by brothers Jermaine and Randy. |
The furore over Kiss' booking stems from an interview Simmons gave to Classic Rock magazine last February, in which he said: "Where there's smoke there's fire. There's no question in my mind he molested those kids. Not a doubt." | The furore over Kiss' booking stems from an interview Simmons gave to Classic Rock magazine last February, in which he said: "Where there's smoke there's fire. There's no question in my mind he molested those kids. Not a doubt." |
Jermaine Jackson took to Twitter to say he was "appalled" that promoter Global Live had invited the group, echoing the views of many fans online. | Jermaine Jackson took to Twitter to say he was "appalled" that promoter Global Live had invited the group, echoing the views of many fans online. |
He continued: "It also saddens me that my mother is being used to promote this event. Does Global Live really need an 81-year-old woman to prop up its event? Stop. | He continued: "It also saddens me that my mother is being used to promote this event. Does Global Live really need an 81-year-old woman to prop up its event? Stop. |
"I hear you all. Global Live mishandled this booking in the same way it has misjudged the event's timing and mood of the fan community." | "I hear you all. Global Live mishandled this booking in the same way it has misjudged the event's timing and mood of the fan community." |
Jermaine said a tribute concert should take place after the trial of Michael's doctor Conrad Murray, who is charged with involuntary manslaughter. The trial is due to start in September. | Jermaine said a tribute concert should take place after the trial of Michael's doctor Conrad Murray, who is charged with involuntary manslaughter. The trial is due to start in September. |
In a statement, Global Events Live chief executive Chris Hunt calling the Kiss booking an "oversight". | In a statement, Global Events Live chief executive Chris Hunt calling the Kiss booking an "oversight". |
"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," he said. | "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," he said. |
Meanwhile, Howard Weitzman, a lawyer for Jackson's estate, has written to Global Live saying the executors were "disappointed" at the decision to include Kiss, and raised other questions about the show. | Meanwhile, Howard Weitzman, a lawyer for Jackson's estate, has written to Global Live saying the executors were "disappointed" at the decision to include Kiss, and raised other questions about the show. |
They asked whether all the artists booked to appear would perform and whether any of the show's proceeds would be going to charity, as promoters have claimed. | They asked whether all the artists booked to appear would perform and whether any of the show's proceeds would be going to charity, as promoters have claimed. |
Global Live has not yet publicly responded to those questions. | Global Live has not yet publicly responded to those questions. |
Other stars set to appear at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on 8 October include Cee Lo Green, Smokey Robinson, boy band JLS and Jackson's nephews 3T. | Other stars set to appear at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on 8 October include Cee Lo Green, Smokey Robinson, boy band JLS and Jackson's nephews 3T. |