Adams headlines Pakistan concert to raise money

Updated Mon. Jan. 30 2006 8:32 AM ET

Associated Press

KARACHI, Pakistan — Pop star Bryan Adams is rocking for relief in Pakistan, taking the stage Sunday night to raise money for victims of the South Asian earthquake that killed 87,000 and left millions homeless.

The concert was billed as the first by a major western pop musician in Pakistan since the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks in the United States.

Adams, best known for hits like Summer of '69 and Cuts Like a Knife, arrived in Pakistan's biggest city just days after the U.S. State Department issued a travel advisory for the country, citing concerns about terrorism.

But that didn't faze the Canadian-born singer.

"The whole idea of coming to Pakistan is very exciting on many levels," Adams told an afternoon news conference. "It's exciting because I know we are the first western artists to come and play a big concert here."

Proceeds from the concert will go toward rebuilding schools damaged by the quake.

Sponsors said they have sold 22,000 tickets at prices ranging between $58 and $83 US. "We're going to raise a lot of money to hopefully help rebuild some schools in the areas that have been devastated," Adams said.

Sharing the stage with Adams will be popular Pakistani pop star Shehzad Roy.

The 7.6-magnitude quake struck northern Pakistan's Kashmir region and surrounding areas on Oct. 8, destroying roads and schools and leaving 3.5 million people homeless. UN-led relief efforts are ongoing as survivors struggle through the harsh Himalayan winter.

Security was tight for Adams' visit. In recent years, Karachi has been the scene of several bombings and terrorist activities, including the 2002 slaying of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl.