Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, March 5, 1994                   TAG: 9403050107
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 11   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

PEOPLE

Cobain was not fully out of the coma late Friday, but showed signs of increased consciousness, a spokeswoman for the singer said.

Cobain "suffered a complete collapse due to fatigue and severe influenza" and went into a coma after mixing the pills and alcohol, said a statement from Nirvana's record company, the New York-based David Geffen Co.

Cobain, 27, his wife Courtney Love, and their daughter were staying in a luxury hotel suite across the street from the U.S. Embassy. Cobain went to Rome trying to recover from his health problems, which forced the band to cancel two recent concert dates in Europe, the statement said.

The Italian news agency ANSA said Cobain was stricken after combining a large dose of a strong sedative with champagne. The drug, known in Italy by the name Roipnol, is used mostly for insomnia and is not carried by many Italian pharmacies.

The talent in the room included Little Richard Penniman, the Shirelles, the Coasters, Jerry Butler, Ben E. King and others. Thirteen groups and solo artists were honored this week at the Fifth Annual Rhythm & Blues Foundation Awards Show in New York. The night's most emotional moment came when the three surviving members of the Shirelles received their award. As they thanked the audience, someone in the crowd yelled, "Sing it!" and Shirley Alston broke into an impromptu version of "Dedicated to the One I Love."

Little Richard, 61, who copped the Ray Charles Lifetime Achievement award, said, "The Grammys do a great job. (But) what I like about the R&B Foundation is they give you some money." Winners of its Pioneer award got $190,000.

People magazine catches up with the cheatingest music duo of all time, Milli Vanilli, and finds that all the limos, fans and millions gleaned from a faux career are gone. Rob Pilatus, 29, and Fabrice Morvan, 27, have separated but are looking for a second break. Pilatus, who attempted suicide in 1991 and has been in drug and alcohol rehab, jokes, "I am schizophrenic and have drug-induced psychoses. But other than that, I'm fine."

Conductor James DePreist has too much work to do this century, so he extended his contract with the Oregon Symphony into the next one.

The 58-year-old maestro wants to continue strengthening the orchestra's string section, make at least three recordings a year and add concerts.

Jerry Lee Lewis wants to hold a benefit rock concert of sorts. His cause: The taxman.

The 58-year-old rock 'n' roll pioneer has long been watched by Internal Revenue Service agents eager to grab some of the $3 million he owes in back taxes, interest and penalties.