Musicians Born in January 1940

  • Jan 1 László Sáry, Hungarian classical pianist and composer (12 Haiku; Flowers of Heaven), born in Győrasszonyfa, Hungary
  • Jan 1 Richard Orton, British modern classical and electronic music composer, performer, and educator (University of York, 1967-96), born in England (d. 2013)
  • Jan 5 Athol Guy, Australian folk-pop bassist and singer (The Seekers - "Georgy Girl"), born in Colac, Australia
  • Jan 6 Laudir de Oliveira, Brazilian percussionist (Sérgio Mendes; Chicago, 1973-81), born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (d. 2017)
  • Jan 6 Van McCoy, American musician and songwriter ("The Hustle"), born in Englewood, New Jersey (d. 1979)
  • Jan 8 Cristy Lane, American country music and gospel singer, born in Peoria, Illinois
  • Jan 9 Al Downing, American rockabilly piano player and singer (Big Al & The Chartbusters), born in Centralia, Oklahoma (d. 2005)
  • Jan 9 Barbara Buczek, Polish pianist, composer (Anekumena – Concerto for 89 Instruments; Two Impressions), and teacher, born in Kraków, Poland (d. 1993)
  • Jan 9 Jimmy Boyd, American singer ("I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus"), and actor (Bachelor Father - "Howard"), born in Jayess, Mississippi (d. 2009)
  • Jan 11 Mark DeVoto, American composer (Hodayot; Pavane and Zortzico), and musicologist (Schubert), born in Cambridge, Massachusetts
  • Jan 12 Ronald Shannon Jackson, American avant-garde jazz and funk drummer, and composer (Cecil Taylor; Last Exit; Decoding Society), born in Fort Worth, Texas (d. 2013)
  • Jan 17 Richard Maloof, American bassist and tuba player (Lawrence Welk Orchestra, 1967-82), born in Sacramento, California
  • Jan 18 Pat Britt, American jazz saxophonist, flute player, and producer, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (d. 2022)
  • Jan 20 Jorge Peixinho, Portuguese pianist, composer, and conductor, born in Montijo, Portugal (d. 1995)
  • Jan 22 Addie "Micki" Harris, American pop singer (Shirelles - "Will You Love Me Tomorrow"; "Soldier Boy"), born in Passaic, New Jersey (d. 1982)
  • Jan 22 Eberhard Weber, German acoustic and electric double bassist, cellist and chamber jazz and ambient music composer, born in Stuttgart, Germany
  • Jan 22 Tilo Medek [Müller-Medek], German composer (Die Todesfuge), musicologist, and music publisher, born in Jena, Germany (d. 2006)
  • Jan 23 Jimmy Castor, American pop & funk musician ("Troglodyte (Cave Man)", Jimmy Castor Bunch), born in New York City (d. 2012)
  • Jan 23 Johnny Russell, American country singer, born in Moorhead, Mississippi (d. 2001)
  • Jan 24 Dave Getz, American drummer (Big Brother & The Holding Company), born in Brooklyn, New York
  • Jan 29 Justino DÍaz, Puerto Rican opera singer, born in San Juan, Puerto Rico
  • Jan 30 David C. Johnson, American composer, flautist, educator, and electronic music performer (Stockhausen), born in Batavia, New York (d. 2021)

About January 1940

How Old? 84 years old
Generation: Silent Generation
Leap Year: Yes

Chinese Zodiac: Rabbit
Star Signs: Capricorn (Dec 22 - Jan 19), Aquarius (Jan 20 - Feb 18)