Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in History for April 8: In 626, Maedoc of Ferns, an early Irish believer in Jesus Christ, died.

Today in Music History for April 8: In 1906, Raoul Jobin, considered one of the greatest French tradition tenors of the '30s and '40s, was born in Quebec City.

Celebrity Birthdays for April 7: Country singer Bobby Bare is 89. Movie director Francis Ford Coppola is 85. Actress Roberta Shore ("The Virginian") is 81. Guitarist Mick Abrahams (Jethro Tull) is 81. Singer Patricia Bennett of The Chiffons is 77.

Today in Music History for April 7: In 1824, the first complete performance of Ludwig van Beethoven's ``Missa Solemnis'' was held in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Today in History for April 7: In 1199, King Richard I of England (also known as ``The Lion-Heart'') died in the Limousin region of France at age 41 after being mortally wounded by an arrow.

Today in History for April 6: In 1528, Albrecht Durer, German painter, engraver, and designer of woodcuts, died. His most popular work is ``Praying Hands.

Today in Music History for April 6: In 1759, George Frideric Handel made his last public performance, conducting his oratorio ``The Messiah.'' He died eight days later.

Celebrity Birthdays for April 6: Nobel Prize-winning scientist James D. Watson is 96. Actor Billy Dee Williams is 87. Actor Roy Thinnes ("The Invaders") is 86. Movie director Barry Levinson is 82. British singer Julie Rogers is 81.

Celebrity Birthdays for April 9: Satirical songwriter and mathematician Tom Lehrer is 96. Actress Michael Learned ("The Waltons") is 85. Jazz and rock drummer Steve Gadd is 79. Country singer Con Hunley is 79.

Celebrity Birthdays for April 13: Actor Edward Fox is 87. Singer Lester Chambers of The Chambers Brothers is 84. Movie-TV composer Bill Conti is 82. Musician Jack Casady of Jefferson Airplane is 80. Singer Al Green is 78. Actor Ron Perlman is 74.