Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in Music History for April 19: In 1928, British bluesman Alexis Korner was born in Paris.

Today in History for April 18: In 1506, the foundation stone was laid during a celebration overseen by Pope Julius II to begin construction of the new St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.

Celebrity Birthdays for April 18: Actor Clive Revill is 94. Actor Robert Hooks is 87. Mike Vickers, saxophone player and guitarist of Manfred Mann, is 84. Music critic Robert Christgau is 82.

Today in Music History for April 18: In 1839, violinist Frantz Jehin-Prume, the first musician of international reputation to choose Canada as his home, was born in Spa, Belgium.

Today in History for April 17: In 1492, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain granted Christopher Columbus a commission to seek a westward ocean passage to Asia.

Celebrity Birthdays for April 17: Actor David Bradley ("Game of Thrones") is 82. Singer and actress Michele Richard is 78. Musician Jan Hammer is 76. Actress Olivia Hussey is 73. Actor Clarke Peters ("Treme") is 72.

Today in Music History for April 17: In 1943, Canadian pop singer Bobby Curtola was born in Port Arthur, Ont. (now Thunder Bay).

Today in History for April 16: In 556, Roman-born Pope Pelagius I became the 60th successor of St. Peter. He built the Church of the Twelve Apostles. In 1189, St. Drogo, also called Druon, a Flemish saint who became a hermit in Sebourg, France, died.

Today in Music History for April 16: In 1924, pianist, composer and orchestra leader Henry Mancini was born in Cleveland.

Celebrity Birthdays for April 16: Singer Bobby Vinton is 89. Denmark's Queen Margrethe II is 84. Blues singer and guitarist Stefan Grossman is 79. Basketball Hall of Fame centre Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is 77.