Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

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.

Today in Music History for April 13: In 1742, George Frideric Handel's majestic oratorio, ``The Messiah,'' was first performed, in Dublin. The performance raised 400 pounds for charity.

Today in Music History for April 12: In 1932, Herbert Khaury, better known as ``Tiny Tim,'' was born in New York City. With his ukelele and his squeaky falsetto voice, he became the '60s most successful novelty act.

Today in History for April 12: On this date: In 1065, pilgrims under Bishop Gunther of Bamberg (in Germany) reached Jerusalem. In 1204, the Fourth Crusade occupied and plundered Constantinople.

Today in Music History for April 11: In 1958, Jerry Lee Lewis' first wife, Jane Mitcham, filed for divorce. Lewis had already secretly married his 13-year-old cousin, Myra Gale Brown.

Today in Music History for April 9: In 1932, rock 'n' roll pioneer Carl Perkins was born in Jackson, Tenn. He wrote ``Blue Suede Shoes,'' which went to No. 2 on the Billboard pop chart and No. 1 on the country chart in 1956.

Today in History for March 29: On this date: In 1139, Pope Innocent II made the Templars an independent unit within the Catholic Church. The order of knights had been created to protect pilgrims from bandits in the Holy Land.

Today in Music History for March 29: In 1871, the Royal Albert Hall in London was opened by Queen Victoria. In 1909, country singer and pianist Aubrey ``Moon'' Mullican was born in Polk County, Texas.

Celebrity Birthdays for March 29: Author Judith Guest is 88. Comedian Eric Idle is 81. Singer-songwriter Terry Jacks is 80. Former Major League Pitcher Denny McLain is 80. Basketball Hall of Fame point guard Walt Frazier is 79.

Today in Music History for March 28: In 1915, songwriter Jay Livingston was born in McDonald, Penn. He collaborated with Ray Evans on three Oscar-winning songs -- ``Mona Lisa,'' ``Que Sera, Sera'' and ``Buttons and Bows.