Keith Richards facing operation

A story in several UK newspapers says that Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards will have brain surgery in New Zealand. According to The Sun, a tabloid paper, the guitarist will go under the knife to relieve a brain hemorrhage, after falling out of a tree in Fiji last week and suffering what's been described as a concussion. The newspaper said that doctors originally wanted to let the injuries heal by themselves, but it's now been decided that Richards needs the surgery after all. The Sun quotes "a close pal" of the guitarist, who said, "Keith has decided to kick the booze and (cigarettes) for good." The guitarist was reportedly climbing a palm tree with fellow Stones guitarist Ron Wood at the time of the incident. There's been no official confirmation from the Rolling Stones about the surgery.

It's unknown whether surgery will force a change in the band's European itinerary, which begins May 27th in Barcelona, but the Rolling Stones are telling people they'll be ready to go.