Keith Richards recovers, Stones to resume tour

LOS ANGELES, June 2 (Reuters) Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards has made a ''complete recovery'' from his mysterious accident in Fiji, and the band will belatedly begin its European tour in Milan on July 11, according to a statement from the group.

The tour was to have begin last Saturday in Barcelona, but the first 15 dates were postponed as a result of Richards' ailments.

Richards, 63, suffered a head injury after reportedly falling from a palm tree while on vacation with bandmate Ronnie Wood and their wives in Fiji at the end of April.

The band's representatives have not commented on the details of the accident, and his subsequent treatment in a New Zealand hospital was shrouded in secrecy, leading to much speculation about the extent of his injuries.

Richards has not been seen in public since leaving New Zealand for his home in Connecticut two weeks ago.

The new itinerary runs through September 3 in Denmark. Ten concerts have been postponed, and two -- in the German cities of Nuremberg and Leipzig -- have been canceled. The statement said local concert promoters are rescheduling the postponed shows.

Options could be limited, however, by the advancing winter as well as tentative plans to return to the United States in the fall for another round of shows.

''We are delighted to announce the Stones tour is back on track and thank all the fans and ticket holders for their patience,'' the band's promoter, Michael Cohl, said in a statement.

REUTERS SI KP0912