According to a statement released by his publicist to PRinside.com, Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards is denying rumors that he faces long term or permanent brain damage and paralysis after falling from a palm tree in Fiji last month.

British tabloids claimed that Richards was set to undergo 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 says Richards will be ready to play revised dates for the Stones' "A Bigger Bang" tour set to resume early next month.

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."

Labels: The Rolling Stones