Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in Music History for April 10: In 787, the church of St. Corneille at Compiegne installed an organ at the request of Frankish King Pepin, in what is modern-day France. This is the first recorded mention of this musical instrument.

Today in History for April 10: In 1555, Pope Marcellus II was elected the 222nd in the line of Peter, but he didn't last a month, dying on May 1. He was the last pontiff to maintain his baptismal name.

Celebrity Birthdays for April 9: Satirical songwriter and mathematician Tom Lehrer is 97. Actress Michael Learned ("The Waltons") is 86. Jazz and rock drummer Steve Gadd is 80. Country singer Con Hunley is 80.

Today in History for April 9: In 1682, French explorer Robert de La Salle claimed the Mississippi River Basin for France.

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.