Keith Richards back in US after hellish holiday

LOS ANGELES - Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards is back home in the United States, "feeling great" after undergoing surgery for a head injury in New Zealand, and is looking forward to returning to the road next month, his publicist said today.

The brief statement did not say when the 62-year-old rocker arrived in the United States, or whether he was still receiving medical treatment. The publicist said he was back at his estate in Weston, Connecticut.

Richards took a fall, reportedly from a palm tree, while on vacation with his wife in Fiji last month, and was flown to New Zealand, where he underwent unspecified surgery after complaining of headaches.

His mishap forced the Rolling Stones to postpone their European tour, which was scheduled to begin on Saturday in Barcelona, Spain. Monday's statement said revised dates would be announced shortly.

- REUTERS