Keith Richards recovers after brain op
Monday, 08 May 2006 17:46
Keith Richards recovers after brain op
Rock star Keith Richards has made a "speedy recovery" from brain surgery.
The ageing 63-year-old Rolling Stones guitarist went under the surgeon's knife after a blood clot formed on the outer membrane of his brain while on holiday in Fiji.
Reports attributed the clot's formation to a fall from a palm tree on a Fiji beach, a water-sports injury, or a bizarre combination of the two.
His spokesperson said that Richards was "already up and chatting with his family" but that it would take "a few weeks to recuperate".
Doctors confirmed that he had been discharged from Ascot Hospital in Auckland, New Zealand, with a clean bill of health, although it remains to be seen whether he will be available for the Stones' A Bigger Bang tour of Europe, which begins in June in Barcelona, Spain.
Richards has a history of nasty accidents, having broken three ribs and punctured his lung
in 1998 after a fall in his library and suffering infected fingers after they were punctured by a guitar string in 1990.
When Richards does return his catchphrase greeting of "good to be here, good to be anywhere" will have added meaning unlikely to be missed by his legions of adoring fans.
