Stones tour put back

Keith Richards

The European leg of the Rolling Stones' world tour has been put back by two to three weeks because of guitarist Keith Richards' brain operation, the band's spokesman in London confirmed yesterday.

Bernard Doherty refused to confirm reports the band's two Paris concerts, scheduled for June 3 and July 2, had been postponed indefinitely.

The Stones' official fan Web site said in a statement on Tuesday that Richards had returned to the United States, where he lives, and "is feeling great, happy to be home and looking forward to getting back on the road with the Rolling Stones next month."