Richards' brain damage fears

Wife Patti Hansen is understood to be with Richards. Picture / Herald on Sunday

Concern continues to mount over the condition of guitar legend Keith Richards, who is recovering from major surgery - his second operation since his accident in Fiji.

The Herald understands the 62-year-old had surgery early on Monday morning which required holes to be drilled into his skull for a craniotomy, a serious operation used to remove blood clots that involves removing a portion of the skull.

It is understood doctors are concerned about brain damage.

A source told the newspaper that Richards underwent his first operation to stop bleeding in his skull 12 days ago, soon after arriving in New Zealand, and medical staff feared for his life at the time.

The source yesterday confirmed the first operation was performed on the night of Friday, April 28.

He was discharged a few days later but was sent to a place with private medical care to monitor him.

He was readmitted after passing out and complaining of major headaches.

Publicists for Keith Richards have confirmed the Rolling Stones guitarist has undergone at least one brain drain.

London-based LD Communications confirmed the hard-living musician had surgery on Monday to relieve pressure in his head caused by a fall from a palm tree during a holiday in Fiji.

The statement said Richards was yesterday "up and talking with his family" soon after the operation, which was described as "a complete success".

Two of Richards' daughters were seen visiting the hospital yesterday and his wife, Patti Hansen, is also understood to be with him.

The statement also confirmed fears first raised in the Herald yesterday about the Stones' ability to continue their "A Bigger Bang" tour.

The publicists said Richards was expected to take "several weeks" to recover, and the European leg of the tour would be delayed to next month.

A dearth of official information about Richards' accident and treatment, and conflicting reports about his condition, have worried Stones fans around the world, some of whom have contacted the Herald for news.

"It sounds to me as if the Stones' media machine is doing their best to low-key this story," said one concerned fan from the United States.

"My desire is that Keith is impervious to all pain and injury but my fear is that that brain surgery is not good news."

Ascot duty manager Geoff Sparks yesterday refused any comment on the condition of Richards and would not even say whether he was in the private hospital at Ellerslie.

The Herald was instead directed to the offices of LD Communications.

Fran Curtis, Richards' New York spokeswoman, also refused to comment on the operation, but admitted to having "no idea" how long he was likely to remain at Ascot.

The official line at the time Richards was brought to New Zealand was that he was suffering little more than mild concussion.

Richards must have been readmitted to the Ascot, as he was originally discharged last week, a move Mr Sparks confirmed then.


MEDICAL NOTES

* April 28: Richards in Ascot Hospital, Ellerslie, after falling from a palm tree in Fiji.

* May 1: Richards reported to have suffered only "mild concussion".

* May 3: Discharged from Ascot. His injuries were being "monitored".

* May 5: Britain's Sun newspaper reports Richards to have a hole drilled in his head to release bleeding above the brain.

* May 8: Richards reported to have already had skull operation, up to a week earlier.

* May 9: Publicists say Richards has, that day, undergone surgery to relieve continuing headaches.