Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in Music History for Aug. 29: In 1908, Lewis Redner, American Episcopal organist and composer, died at age 78. Redner composed "St. Louis," the tune to which is most commonly sung Phillips Brooks’ Christmas hymn, "O Little Town of Bethlehem.

Today in Music History for Aug. 27: In 1877, James P. Clarke, the first musician in English-speaking Canada to have written and published a sizeable number of compositions, died in Toronto.

Today in Music History for Aug. 30: In 1919, "The Queen of Country Music" Kitty Wells was born Ellen Muriel Deason in Nashville. She took her stage name from an old folk song, "Sweet Kitty Wells.

Today in Music History for Aug. 26: In 1907, the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto opened with the musical revue "Top of the World." It was the world's first fully fireproof theatre and the first to be air-conditioned.

Celebrity birthdays for Aug. 16: Actress Ann Blyth is 96. Actor Gary Clarke ("Hondo," ''The Virginian") is 91. Actress Julie Newmar is 91. Actor John Standing is 90. '60s pop singer and actress Ketty Lester is 90. Actress Anita Gillette is 89.

Today in History for Aug. 16: On this date: In 1750, 300 German settlers arrived at Lunenburg, N.S. In 1784, New Brunswick was established as a separate colony from Nova Scotia with a nominated council and elected assembly.

Today in Music History for Aug. 16: In 1935, Patsy Montana recorded "I Want to Be a Cowboy's Sweetheart," which turned out be the first million-selling country record by a female singer.

Celebrity birthdays for Aug. 15: Actor Jim Dale is 89. Actress Pat Priest ("The Munsters") is 88. Nesbert (Stix) Hooper, drummer with The Crusaders is 86. Drummer Pete York of The Spencer Davis Group is 82. Author-journalist Linda Ellerbee is 80.

Today in History for Aug. 15: On this date: In 1057, Macbeth, King of Scots, was killed in battle by Malcolm, the eldest son of King Duncan, whom Macbeth had slain.

Today in Music History for Aug. 15: In 1925, jazz pianist Oscar Peterson was born in Montreal. Peterson began playing on Montreal radio stations and with local dance bands in the early 1940s.