Kings of Leon's big holiday earner

Rockers Kings of Leon have followed in the footsteps of Amy Winehouse - by scooping a small fortune to play a private gig for Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.

The 'Sex on Fire' hitmakers interrupted their Christmas break at home in Nashville, Tennessee to perform a special set for the business tycoon and his family at a lavish New York venue.

And the group, including brothers Caleb and Nathan Followill, and cousin Matthew Followill, didn't come cheap - they were paid a staggering $450,000 (€322,697) for the gig, reports The Sun.

In June Abramovich, who owns Chelsea persuaded troubled star Amy Winehouse to perform a five-song set at the opening of a Moscow art gallery - by offering her $1.5m (€1.07m) .

It obviously pays to get on the right side of Abramovich's musical tastes - he splashed out $350,000 (€250,981) for electro-pop foursome the Klaxons to play at his daughter Anna's 16th birthday in May.