Washington benefit loses Jagger and Kiss

Jagger: Rolling Stones frontman

Mick Jagger will not perform at Michael Jackson's Washington benefit concert for the victims of the 11 September attacks on the US.

A spokeswoman for the singer said that he never committed to the 21 October gig but he will sing at Paul McCartney's New York benefit the night before.

Kiss: a marriage of glam rock and heavy metal

Flamboyant rockers Kiss have also pulled out - because lead singer Paul Stanley is facing hip surgery.

Stanley had intended to postpone surgery in order to perform.

But in a statement, the band said: "After starting initial physical preparation, it became apparent that increasing pain and the possibility of further damage would not allow him to meet the intense physical demands of a Kiss performance."

Disagreements

Both acts were on the original bill of stars announced for the concert at Washington's RFK Stadium - which includes Michael Jackson, 'N Sync and Aerosmith.

Fran Curtis of PR company Rogers & Cowan, said that Jagger did not "pull out" of the Washington benefit and denied reports of backstage disagreements at the show.

Destiny's Child: Work commitments prevented participation

The concert has been named United We Stand - What More Can I Give? after the title of the charity single being organised by Michael Jackson.

But the single, currently in production, has also been hit by the withdrawal of celebrity names.

Jackson initially announced that he would be joined in the studio by Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Destiny's Child, Usher and Mya - all of whom have now pulled out.

Work commitments

A spokeswoman for Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake said that, though the stars meant no disrespect to the victims of the attacks, they would not be participating.

And Destiny's Child said that work commitments "made it impossible" to appear on the record.

The Beastie Boys will headline at their own benefit concert in New York on 28 October.

The New Yorkers Against Violence concert at the city's Hammerstein Ballroom will also feature rock bands Rival School and the Strokes, the B-52s and Pakistani vocalist Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.

Proceeds will go to the victims of the September attacks, via the charities the New York Association for New Americans and the New York Women's Foundation.