Rolling Stones

Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones are under 24-hour armed guard on their South American tour following the shooting of a worker at one of their gigs.

The veteran rockers have taken extra precautions after a man was shot dead in botched attempt to steal drinks takings from their La Plata stadium show.

The Mirror reports that a 55-year-old contractor was killed when three cars attempted to hijack a van transporting cash from alcohol sales after the concert.

In the wake of the incident, the band have stepped up their security arrangements and will travel separately, escorted by armed bodyguards.

A source told The Mirror: “Of course these things are all considered well in advance of a tour, and massive bands like The Rolling Stones are well aware of the risks posed by these places – so they take no chances.

Wealthy personalities are always potential targets, but the band are kept safe and secure at all times by the best security personnel on the planet”

They are next scheduled to perform in Brazil, Uruguay, Peru and Colombia.

Earlier this week, Elton John accused The Rolling Stones of being “irrelevant” during an interview on a US radio station. The singer-songwriter said the band should return to making blues albums instead of chasing mainstream success.

Meanwhile, Ronnie Wood was quoted in November 2015 as saying that work on a new Rolling Stones album was imminent. Bandmate Keith Richards previously said that the group would return to the studio and work on new music in April 2016, but Wood suggested work may have begun in December last year.