Sting's Pyramid Show Gets Rough Start

ByABC News
May 1, 2001, 1:42 PM

April 26 -- British rocker Sting may be an international pop star, but a performance last night in Cairo, Egypt, got off to a rocky start.

The former Police bassist had to face the wrath of local singing star Hakim and a burst of anti-Western fervor before he started his set near the ancient pyramids of Giza.

The organizers introduced Sting after a break of 90 minutes in the program, to the irritation of a crowd, who had been expecting to see their local hero take the stage an hour earlier.

Hakim promptly burst onto the stage, protesting loudly that it was his turn to sing, but the organizers would not let him.

"Whoever is willing to accept the insult of an Egyptian in Egypt can stay. Goodbye!" he snapped as he stormed off.

As parts of the audience responded to his suggestion that local talent was being scorned in favor of big foreign names, chanting, "Hakim! Hakim!" the concert ground to a halt once more amid feverish backstage negotiations.

Only when the organizers finally explained that Hakim had failed to turn up on time for his allotted slot did the crowd calm down.

Eventually Sting, still touring the world in support of 1999's Brand New Day, managed to get an enthusiastic reception for a set including his global hit "Desert Rose," performed with Algerian Rai star Cheb Mami.

Organizers said 10 percent of ticket receipts would go to the British charity Medical Aid for Palestinians.

Archaeologists have in the past complained that musical performances, particularly rock concerts, may damage the 4,600-year-old pyramids.

Reuters contributed to this report.