Richards has ‘small operation’

Keith Richards had surgery in New Zealand on Monday to relieve pressure in his head following a fall on April 27, his representative said.

The Rolling Stones guitarist was “up and talking” soon after surgery at the Ascot Hospital in Auckland but was expected to take several weeks to recuperate, LD Communications said in a statement issued in London.

“Last week Keith was under observation in Auckland following a fall in Fiji and was feeling well after being examined by doctors last week,” the statement said. “However, after complaining of headaches yesterday, doctors thought it prudent to move ahead with a small operation to remove the pressure.”

The Stones’ A Bigger Bang European tour, which had been scheduled to start in Barcelona, Spain, later this month, will be postponed until June, the agency said.