Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in Music History for Aug. 10: In 1909, Leo Fender, the man who perfected the electric guitar, was born in Buena Park, Calif. His company manufactured the first mass-produced solid-body electric guitar in 1948.

Celebrity birthdays for Aug. 9: Basketball Hall of Fame point guard Bob Cousy is 97. Tennis Hall-of-Famer Rod Laver is 87. Jazz drummer Jack DeJohnette is 83. Comedian-director David Steinberg is 83. Actor Sam Elliott is 81.

Today in History for Aug. 9: On this date: In 1535, French explorer Jacques Cartier discovered the Mingan Islands, between Anticosti Island and the Quebec mainland.

Today in Music History for Aug. 9: In 1914, Canadian fiddler King Ganam was born Ameen Sied in Swift Current, Sask., to Syrian-English parents. He formed "The Sons of the West" in Edmonton in 1942.

Celebrity birthdays for Aug. 11: Mike Hugg, drummer with British group Manfred Mann, is 83. Songwriter Kenny Gamble of Gamble and Huff is 82. Bassist Jim Kale of the Guess Who is 82. Country singer John Conlee is 79.

Celebrity birthdays for Aug. 16: Actress Ann Blyth is 97. Actor Gary Clarke ("Hondo," ''The Virginian") is 92. Actress Julie Newmar is 92 Actor John Standing is 91. '60s pop singer and actress Ketty Lester is 91. Actress Anita Gillette is 90.

Celebrity birthdays for Aug. 15: Actor Jim Dale is 90. Actress Pat Priest ("The Munsters") is 89. Nesbert (Stix) Hooper, drummer with The Crusaders is 87. Drummer Pete York of The Spencer Davis Group is 83. Author-journalist Linda Ellerbee is 81.

Celebrity birthdays for Aug. 14: Broadway lyricist Lee Adams ("Bye Bye Birdie") is 101. Singer Dash Crofts of Seals and Crofts is 85. Country singer Connie Smith is 84. Actor-comedian Steve Martin is 80.

Celebrity birthdays for Aug. 12: Billionaire investor George Soros is 95. Actor George Hamilton is 86. Former Saskatchewan premier Roy Romanow is 86. Actress Jennifer Warren is 84. Actress Dana Ivey is 84.

Celebrity birthdays for Aug. 10: Hockey writer/former commentator Brian McFarlane is 94. Country singer Jonie Mosby is 85. Quebec singer-songwriter Louise Forestier is 82. Actor James Reynolds ("Days of Our Lives") is 79.