Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in Music History for May 3: In 1903, singer and actor Bing Crosby was born in Tacoma, Wash. He sang with dance bands from 1925-30, and in 1931 began work in radio and films.

Today in Music History for April 29: In 1899, jazz musician, composer and bandleader Edward Kennedy (Duke) Ellington was born in Washington, D.C.

Today in Music History for May 1: In 1786, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's comic opera "The Marriage of Figaro" had its world premiere in Vienna.

Today in Music History for April 30: In 1925, country singer Johnny Horton was born in Tyler, Texas. His "Battle of New Orleans" sold one million copies in 1959, as did his 1960 "North to Alaska," the title song from a John Wayne movie.

Celebrity Birthdays for April 25: Actor Al Pacino is 84. Singer Michael Kennedy (born Michael Kogel) (Los Bravos) is 80. Bassist Stu Cook of Creedence Clearwater Revisited is 79. Singer Bjorn Ulvaeus of ABBA is 79. Actress Talia Shire is 79.

Today in Music History for April 28: In 1932, violinist Steven Staryk, considered the leading Canadian-born virtuoso of his generation, was born in Toronto.

Celebrity Birthdays for April 26: Actress-comedian Carol Burnett is 91. Guitarist-songwriter Duane Eddy is 86. Singer Maurice Williams of Maurice and the Zodiacs is 86. Record producer/songwriter Giorgio Moroder is 84.

Today in History for May 4: On this date: In 1493, Spanish-born Pope Alexander VI divided the non-Christian world between Spain and Portugal.

Celebrity Birthdays for April 27: Actress Anouk Aimee is 92. Drummer Jerry Mercer (April Wine) is 85. Drummer Jim Keltner is 82. Opera singer Judith Blegen is 81. Country banjo player and singer Herb Pedersen is 80. Singer Ann Peebles is 77.

Today in History for May 3: On this date: In 495, Pope St. Gelasius I decreed that his spiritual power as supreme pontiff was superior to the temporal power of Emperor Anastasius. It was called the Gelasian Decree. In 1074, St.