Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum died 50 years ago ... Some consider it the Arab song par excellence. (SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "AL-ATLAL") KULTHUM: (Singing in non-English language). BEARDSLEY: Umm Kulthum ...

Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum died 50 years ago this week. She remains arguably the most influential Arab singer in and outside the Arab world. In Paris, there were three days of concerts to pay homage.