News

Keith's Brain: Fit as a Fiddle

They've proved it again: Keith Richards is indestructible. Hours after a hole was drilled into his head so that doctors could fix a blood clot, the 62-year-old guitarist was conscious and enjoying the company of his family. Even he needs a little time to recuperate, though, so the Rolling Stones have pushed back the start of their European tour to June, promising to reschedule the shows in Spain that are being skipped over. Kaiser Chiefs, Kasabian, The Charlatans UK and -- for real -- Guns ‘n Roses are on board for opening appearances during the tour.

Richards began complaining about headaches after a misadventure-in-paradise routine that reportedly had him falling out of a palm tree while coconut hunting (or bird nest watching) with bandmate Ron Wood, and then later falling off a jet ski. An untreated blood clot can eventually compress the brain and cause brain damage, and the band’s spokesman reported that doctors “thought it prudent to move ahead with a small operation.”

For a man with a history of self-medication, it wasn’t a surprise to see The Sun reporting that, shortly after swearing off booze and smokes altogether, Richards was having miniature bottles of vodka smuggled into his hospital room by friends and family.

Though he has lived through rock and roll decadence at its utmost, Richards also finds danger in strange places. In 1998, he punctured his lung and cracked three ribs after taking a tumble off a library ladder while reaching for a book.

--The ARTISTdirect Staff
05.09.06