Today in History

Celebrity Birthdays for Nov. 29: Hall of Fame sportscaster Vin Scully is 90. Canadian jazz guitarist Ed Bickert is 85. Blues musician John Mayall is 84. Actress Diane Ladd is 82. Musician Chuck Mangione is 77. Songwriter Mark James is 77.

Today in History for Nov. 29 In 1530, Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, adviser to King Henry VIII of England, died.

Today in Music History for Nov. 29: In 1880, the 1,100-seat Grand Opera House opened in Hamilton, Ont. It gave the city a proper auditorium for theatrical and musical presentations, and attracted top North American touring companies.

Celebrity Birthdays for Nov. 28: Motown Records founder Berry Gordy Jr. is 88. Gary Troxel of the '50s pop group The Fleetwoods is 78. Singer-songwriter Bruce Channel is 77. Singer Randy Newman is 74. Movie director Joe Dante is 71.

Today in Music History for Nov. 28: In 1902, the Quebec Symphony Orchestra gave its first concert at Tara Hall with violinist J. Alexandre Gilbert as soloist. The Quebec Symphony is Canada's oldest surviving major orchestra.

Today in History for Nov. 28: In 1520, the Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan reached the Pacific Ocean after passing through the South American strait that now bears his name.

Celebrity Birthdays for Nov. 27: Author Gail Sheehy is 80. Footwear designer Manolo Blahnik is 75. Rock and jazz saxophonist Randy Brecker is 72. Academy Award-winning director Kathryn Bigelow ("The Hurt Locker") is 66.

Today in History for Nov. 27 In 1095, in France, Pope Urban II solemnly proclaimed the First Crusade at the Council of Clermont.

Today in Music History for Nov. 27: In 1941, country-pop singer Eddie Rabbitt was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. Rabbitt's big break came in 1971, when Elvis Presley recorded his "Kentucky Rain." It turned out to be Presley's 50th million seller.

Celebrity Birthdays for Nov. 26: Singer Phil Humphrey (The Fendermen) is 80. Impressionist Rich Little is 79. Singer Tina Turner is 78. Singer Jean Terrell (replaced Diana Ross in the Supremes) is 73. Bassist John McVie of Fleetwood Mac is 72.