Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Celebrity Birthdays for June 30: Actress Lea Massari is 91. Actress Nancy Dussault is 88. Songwriter Tony Hatch is 85. Singer Glenn Shorrock of the Little River Band is 80. Singer-songwriter Murray McLauchlan is 76.

Today in History for June 30: In 1859, French acrobat Blondin crossed the Niagara gorge on a tightrope. Before reaching the Canadian side, he stopped to drink champagne and perform other feats. A crowd of 25,000 watched.

Today in Music History for June 30: In 1917, jazz drummer Buddy Rich was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. Beginning in the late 1930s, Rich drummed with a succession of big bands, including Bunny Berrigan, Artie Shaw and Tommy Dorsey.

Celebrity Birthdays for June 29: Songwriter L. Russell Brown is 84. Actor Gary Busey is 80. Drummer Ian Paice of Deep Purple is 76. Actor-turned-Congressman-turned-radio host Fred Grandy is 76.

Today in History for June 29: In 67, according to tradition, the Apostle Paul was beheaded with a sword near Rome, probably by order of Emperor Nero, during a time when Christianity was outlawed.

Today in Music History for June 29: In 1888, the first musical recording in Britain was made at the Crystal Palace in London on the occasion of the Handel Festival. The recording was made using Thomas Edison's cylinder phonograph.

Celebrity Birthdays for June 28: Comedian-movie director Mel Brooks is 98. Comedian-impressionist John Byner is 86. Actor Bruce Davison is 78. Actress Kathy Bates is 76. Actress Alice Krige is 70. Playwright Brad Fraser is 65.

Today in History for June 28: In 1491, King Henry VIII was born. He was married six times and died in 1547. (NOTE FOR TRIVIA BUFFS: Henry VIII was reputed to have loved beef so much he knighted it "Sir Loin.

Today in Music History for June 28: In 1914, bluegrass musician and singer Lester Flatt was born in Overton County, Tenn.

Celebrity Birthdays for June 27: Businessman Charles Bronfman is 93. Singer Bruce Johnston of the Beach Boys is 82. Composer-arranger-pianist Frank Mills is 82. Fashion designer Vera Wang is 75. Actress Julia Duffy ("Newhart") is 73.