It’s Peru pal: British band’s singer thanks wrong country in Lima concert

British band’s singer thanks wrong country in Peru

LIMA, Peru — Pity the Peruvian rocker.

For the third time in recent years a visiting foreign pop star has belted out thanks to the wrong country.

In a concert in Peru’s capital Tuesday, the lead singer of British band Depeche Mode shouted “Thank you very much, Chile!” to 30,000 screaming fans. Most didn’t notice Dave Gahan’s slip but a video of the concert was posted on Youtube.

The country choice was particularly rankling since Peru and Chile are historically enemies with a dispute dating to a 1879-84 war between the South American neighbors.

In 2004, Mayte of the Mexican pop band RBD yelled out “Long live Chile!” in a Lima concert. She immediately apologized.

In 2003, Canadian singer Alanis Morissette yelled out “Thank you, Brazil.”