Heavy rockers KISS have been axed from the Michael Jackson tribute concert line-up over controversial comments made by bassist Gene Simmons last year.
The band was invited to join acts such as Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, Smokey Robinson and Leona Lewis as part of the Michael Forever: The Tribute Concert in Cardiff, Wales on 8 October.
But KISS' addition to the concert bill sparked outrage among fans of the pop superstar after Simmons revealed he still had issues with Jackson's past paedophile accusations in a 2010 interview with Classic Rock Magazine.
He told the publication, "No matter what my fond memories and fond images of Michael were, with one allegation of paedophilia after another and another and another... Oh dear."
Jackson's estate executors, who have no involvement with the concert planned by Jackson's mum, Katherine, also blasted the decision and called on promoters to rethink their offer on Monday.
And they've now bowed to pressure to drop KISS from the line-up.
A statement issued to TMZ.com reads: "We have listened to Michael's fans and are grateful to have been alerted to these unfortunate statements by Gene Simmons.
"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."
Jackson was famously acquitted of child molestation charges in 2005 after a highly-publicised five-month trial.
WENN.com