Today in Music History for Aug. 18:

In 1893, Canadian conductor and composer Sir Ernest MacMillan was born in Mimico, Ont., now part of Toronto. As conductor of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, principal of the Royal Conservatory of Music and Dean of Faculty of Music at University of Toronto, he remained at the helm of musical life in Canada for 25 years. MacMillan was interned in Germany as an enemy alien from 1914-18. He is said to have developed his talents through prison-camp shows. Bach was his specialty. He was knighted in 1935 by King George V for his services to music. It was the first time a musician outside the United Kingdom had been so honoured. He died May 6, 1973 of a stroke.

In 1930, pop singer Johnny Preston was born in Port Arthur, Texas. Pr

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