Keith Richards Denies Second Op

Richards Denies Second Brain Drain.ROLLING STONES guitarist KEITH RICHARDS has moved quickly to deny escalating rumours he faces permanent brain damage and paralysis after reportedly falling from a tree in Fiji last month (27APR06).British tabloids today (10MAY06) claimed the star was undergoing a second operation on his brain to remove broken bone and stem internal bleeding, at an Auckland, New Zealand, hospital.However, a publicist for the 62-year-old insists the reports are inaccurate and reassures fans the band will honour revised dates for their A Bigger Bang tour early next month (JUN06).The statement reads, "The first and only operation was done on Monday, May 8, and was 100 per cent successful. There was no brain damage. He continues to improve as expected."Richards had a hole drilled through his skull during surgery on Monday, to release blood following a haemorrhage caused by his fall.