Topic: Rick Wakeman

On May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens in southwestern Washington state erupted, blowing the top off the mountain and killing 57 people.

Actor Tina Fey turns 48 and country singer George Strait turns 66, among the famous birthdays for May 18.

UPI Almanac for Monday, May 18, 2015

UPI Almanac for Saturday, May 18, 2013.

UPI Almanac for Friday, May 18, 2012.

Today's birthdays include composer-conductor Meredith Willson ("The Music Man") in 1902; band leader Tommy Tucker in 1908; R&B singer "Big Joe" Turner, who was born in 1911; Perry Como in 1912; Rodney Dillard of The Dillards in 1942 (age 61)...

Today's birthdays include clarinetist/bandleader Woody Herman in 1913; entertainer Liberace in 1919; Lainie Kazan, who was born in 1940 (age 63); Billy Cobham in 1944 (age 59); Robert Fripp of King Crimson and Foghat's Roger Earl, both in 1946 (age 57); B

Today's birthdays include Percy Sledge, who was born in 1941 (age 61); Electric Light Orchestra's Bev Bevan in 1946 (age 56); and Amy Grant in 1960 (age 42).

Fans of "American Idol" winner Kelly Clarkson will have to wait until next spring to hear the album she gets to record as part of her prize.

Today's musical birthdays include Johnny Preston, who had a hit song in 1959 with "Running Bear," in 1939 (age 63); Carl Wayne of The Move in 1944 (age 58); Sara Dash of Patti LaBelle and the Blue Belles and, later, LaBelle in 1945 (age 57); Foreigner dru

Today's birthdays include the late R&B singer "Big Joe" Turner, who was born in 1911; Perry Como in 1912; Rodney Dillard of The Dillards in 1942 (age 60); Albert Hammond, who had a top-five hit in 1972 with "It Never Rains in Southern California," also in

Today's birthdays include Lainie Kazan, who was born in 1940 (age 62); Billy Cobham in 1944 (age 58); Robert Fripp of King Crimson and Foghat's Roger Earl, both in 1946 (age 56); Barbara Lee of the Chiffons and Nazareth drummer Derrell Sweet, both in 1947

ALICE IN CHAINS The surviving members of Alice In Chains -- guitarist Jerry Cantrell, bassist Mike Inez and drummer Sean Kinney -- said they're "heartbroken" over the death of the band's lead singer, Layne Staley.

WAKEMAN SAYS 'YES' TO FORMER COLLEAGUES

(Nov. 25)