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

DATE: TUESDAY, August 30, 1994                   TAG: 9408300056
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

PEOPLE

Ted Turner was reported in excellent condition after weekend surgery to remove a minor skin cancer from his lip. Said his spokesman: "The procedure was successful. . . . There were no complications, and he is expected to make a full recovery."

Pearl Jam's manager said Dave Abbruzzese's leaving the band was "amicable," but that's not what the drummer says. "For reasons that I don't completely understand, the other members of the band decided that it was necessary to fire me," Abbruzzese said.

"I was not aware of their decision, not involved in it, nor do I agree with it. But I accept it, and I'm proud to have been a part of what Pearl Jam was."

Billy Joel and Christie Brinkley got their post-marital walking papers last week. The divorce decree ending their nine-year marriage was titled "Anonymous vs. Anonymous."

The 45-year-old piano man and his ex-uptown girl, 40, have a daughter, Alexa Ray, 8.

The next generation has arrived for Genie Francis and Jonathan Frakes: a son named Benjamin Ivor Frakes, born Friday in Los Angeles. Frakes plays Cmdr. Will Riker on "Star Trek: The Next Generation," and his wife plays Laura on "General Hospital."

by CNB