Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Celebrity Birthdays for April 13: Actor Edward Fox is 88. Singer Lester Chambers of The Chambers Brothers is 85. Movie-TV composer Bill Conti is 83. Musician Jack Casady of Jefferson Airplane is 81. Singer Al Green is 79. Actor Ron Perlman is 75.

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 History for April 13: In 655 (traditional date), Martin, pope from 649 to 655, died in banishment. He was the last pope venerated as a martyr.

Celebrity Birthdays for April 12: Playwright Alan Ayckbourn is 86. Jazz musician Herbie Hancock is 85. Rock singer John Kay of Steppenwolf is 81. Actor Ed O'Neill ("Modern Family," ''Married...With Children") is 79.

Today in History for April 12: 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 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.

Celebrity Birthdays for April 18: Actor Robert Hooks is 88. Mike Vickers, saxophone player and guitarist of Manfred Mann, is 85. Music critic Robert Christgau is 83. Soprano Barbara Lowin (formerly Barbara Shuttleworth) is 81.

Celebrity Birthdays for April 13: Actor Edward Fox is 88. Singer Lester Chambers of The Chambers Brothers is 85. Movie-TV composer Bill Conti is 83. Musician Jack Casady of Jefferson Airplane is 81. Singer Al Green is 79. Actor Ron Perlman is 75.

Celebrity Birthdays for April 17: Actor David Bradley ("Game of Thrones") is 83. Singer and actress Michele Richard is 79. Musician Jan Hammer is 77. Actor Clarke Peters ("Treme") is 73. Rock singer/guitarist/producer Michael Sembello is 71.

Celebrity Birthdays for April 14: Actress Julie Christie is 85. Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore is 80. Actor John Shea ("Gossip Girl," ''Lois and Clark") is 76. Country music songwriter Kostas is 76.