Sting pays tribute to old friend who died on 9/11

Rocker Sting stunned fans on Wednesday (14Sep11) by showing up unannounced at a 9/11 tribute event in New York City to honour a late friend who perished during the devastating terrorist attacks.

The star and his wife Trudie Styler stopped by the memorial show at 92nd Street Y to pay their respects to Herman Sandler, who died when two hijacked planes were flown into the World Trade Center's Twin Towers on September 11, 2001.

The former Police frontman later took to the stage to perform a piece with the night's musical guest, the Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio, joking to the crowd, "I have some experience in my life with musical trios."

The British singer also sang his tune Fragile, while legendary singer/songwriter Paul Simon looked on from the audience.

Investment banker Sandler was a dedicated donor to the Rainforest Fund, an organisation founded by Sting.