Bill Pinkney

Bill Pinkney, 81, the last survivor of the original members of the musical group the Drifters, died Wednesday at a hotel in Daytona Beach, Fla., where he was scheduled to perform for Independence Day festivities. A Daytona Beach police spokesman said Pinkney was found dead in his hotel room, but the death was not considered suspicious. Family members said he had heart problems. Born in Dalzell, S.C.

Fayrene "Faye" Treadwell, the former manager of the Drifters who won a longtime legal battle to stop promoters from infringing on the classic rhythm-and-blues vocal group's trademark name, has died. She was 84. Treadwell, one of the first female African American entertainment managers, died of complications of breast cancer May 22 at her home in Burbank, said her daughter, Tina Treadwell. The Arkansas-born Treadwell was the widow of George Treadwell, a veteran music manager whose clients included Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday and Sammy Davis Jr. He also was the original manager of the Drifters, which was formed in 1953 and recorded the hits "This Magic Moment," "Up on the Roof" and "Under the Boardwalk.

Bill Pinkney wants to sail the world on winds that carry dreams of hope back to schoolchildren in some of Chicago's poorest neighborhoods. But months after his scheduled departure, the boat he will sail remains at dock. "The worst seas I'll face are the ones I'm facing right now, being this close and having it not happen," said Pinkney, 54, who hopes to become the first black to sail solo around-the-world via the treacherous waters off the Cape of Good Hope.

Bill Pinkney, 81, the last survivor of the original members of the musical group the Drifters, died Wednesday at a hotel in Daytona Beach, Fla., where he was scheduled to perform for Independence Day festivities. A Daytona Beach police spokesman said Pinkney was found dead in his hotel room, but the death was not considered suspicious. Family members said he had heart problems. Born in Dalzell, S.C.

For Bill Pinkney, a black man who sailed the world, the sea is the great equalizer, the schooner Amistad its great ambassador. Pinkney is the newly named captain of the Amistad, the under-construction reproduction of the 19th century sailing ship, whose 53 African captives revolted in 1839. Those captives eventually won their freedom in a long court battle that began in Connecticut.

Fayrene "Faye" Treadwell, the former manager of the Drifters who won a longtime legal battle to stop promoters from infringing on the classic rhythm-and-blues vocal group's trademark name, has died. She was 84. Treadwell, one of the first female African American entertainment managers, died of complications of breast cancer May 22 at her home in Burbank, said her daughter, Tina Treadwell. The Arkansas-born Treadwell was the widow of George Treadwell, a veteran music manager whose clients included Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday and Sammy Davis Jr. He also was the original manager of the Drifters, which was formed in 1953 and recorded the hits "This Magic Moment," "Up on the Roof" and "Under the Boardwalk.

Ever wonder why Frere Jacques overslept, despite the ringing of the morning bells? And what was fragile Humpty Dumpty doing sitting on that high wall, anyway? HBO offers an answer, via the The Real Story of . . ., a "behind-the-scenes" animated fable of traditional and familiar stories, songs and nursery rhymes.

YOU won't hear George Treadwell harmonizing on any of the classic hits by the Drifters, not "Up on the Roof," "Under the Boardwalk" or the song that declares "the neon lights are bright on Broadway." But whenever Tina Treadwell listens to those old tunes, she hears a sound that her father pieced together some 50 years ago, music she considers her birthright.

TELEVISION From the Movies to the Cable Box: Tom Hanks ("From the Earth to the Moon") will reteam with his "Saving Private Ryan" director, Steven Spielberg, to executive produce "Band of Brothers," a 13-hour HBO miniseries about World War II. The long-term project, based on Stephen Ambrose's book about a U.S. Army unit that captured Hitler's Eagle's Nest as part of the D-day mission, is expected to begin production sometime in 1999, with completion loosely targeted for late 2000 or early 2001.

Sorry, Disneyland. After winning her record five Grammy Awards on Wednesday, Lauryn Hill didn't head to the famed theme park Thursday. Instead she went to the Rhythm & Blues Foundation's Pioneer Awards gala, held in a lavishly appointed tent erected for the occasion on the Sony Pictures lot in Culver City, where she presented one of the night's honors to Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles.

For Bill Pinkney, a black man who sailed the world, the sea is the great equalizer, the schooner Amistad its great ambassador. Pinkney is the newly named captain of the Amistad, the under-construction reproduction of the 19th century sailing ship, whose 53 African captives revolted in 1839. Those captives eventually won their freedom in a long court battle that began in Connecticut.

Bill Pinkney wants to sail the world on winds that carry dreams of hope back to schoolchildren in some of Chicago's poorest neighborhoods. But months after his scheduled departure, the boat he will sail remains at dock. "The worst seas I'll face are the ones I'm facing right now, being this close and having it not happen," said Pinkney, 54, who hopes to become the first black to sail solo around-the-world via the treacherous waters off the Cape of Good Hope.

Home Box Office dominated the 16th annual CableACE Awards, collecting 23 of the 86 honors handed out over the weekend, including a leading four for its comedy series "The Larry Sanders Show." A&E was runner-up among the 20 cable channels that received awards, picking up eight, including three for "Cracker: To Say I Love You," which was named cable's best movie or miniseries. The CableACEs, honoring the best cable-television programming between Sept. 1, 1993, and Aug.