- Jan 2 Péter Eötvös, Hungarian composer ("Chinese Opera"), conductor, contemporary music advocate, and teacher, born in Székelyudvarhely, Transylvania, Hungary (now Odorheiu Secuiesc, Romania) (d. 2024)
- Jan 3 David Atherton, British conductor (London Sinfonietta; Royal Opera; San Diego Symphony), born in Blackpool, Lancashire, England
- Jan 4 Volker Hombach, German saxophone player and violinist (Tangerine Dream, 1967-69), born in Germany
Jimmy Page (80 years old)
Jan 9 English rock guitarist (Led Zeppelin - "Stairway to Heaven"), born in London, England
- Jan 10 Frank Sinatra, Jr., American singer and bandleader, born in Jersey City, New Jersey (d. 2016)
- Jan 11 York Höller, German electro-acoustic composer (Klanggitter), artistic director (WDR Studio for Electronic Music, 1990-99), and educator, born in Leverkusen, Germany (d.
- Jan 12 Jack Schroer, American rock saxophonist (Van Morrison's The Caledonia Soul Orchestra), born in Ohio (d. 1995)
- Jan 12 Viktoria Postnikova, Russian concert pianist, born in Moscow, Russia
- Jan 15 Joan Marie Johnson, American pop singer (The Dixie Cups - "Chapel Of Love"; "Iko Iko"), born in New Orleans, Louisiana (d. 2016)
- Jan 16 Jim Stafford, American singer-songwriter ("Spiders & Snakes"; "My Girl Bill"), born in Eloise, Florida
- Jan 16 Katherine Anderson, American singer (The Marvelettes - "Please Mr. Postman"[ "Don't Mess With Bill"), born in Ann Arbor, Michigan (d. 2023)
- Jan 17 Françoise Hardy, French pop singer-songwriter, and actress, born in Paris, France
- Jan 18 Al Perkins, American steel guitarist (Triple Play), born in De Kalb, Texas
- Jan 18 Larry "Legs" Smith, British rocker (Bonzo Dog Band - "Urban Spaceman"), born in Oxford, England
- Jan 19 Laurie London, British gospel and novelty song singer ("He's Got the Whole World in His Hands"; "Bum Ladda Bum Bum"), born in Bethnal Green, East London, England
- Jan 19 Pehr Henrik Nordgren, Finnish composer (The Whole World Will Lament; Kwaidan-balladit), born in Saltvik, Åland Islands, Finland (d. 2008)
- Jan 21 (Frank) Neely Bruce, American composer (Circular 14: The Apotheosis of Aristides), born in Memphis, Tennessee
- Jan 23 Jerry Lawson, American a cappella singer and arranger (Persuasions - "Under the Boardwalk"), born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida (d. 2019)
- Jan 24 Klaus Nomi, German singer, born in Immenstadt, Germany (d. 1983)
- Jan 27 Kevin Coyne, English musician, born in Derby (d. 2004)
- Jan 27 Nick Mason, British progressive rock drummer (Pink Floyd), born in Birmingham, England
- Jan 28 Arnold Mühren, Dutch pop bassist and singer (The Cats - "One Way Wind"), born in Volendam, Holland
- Jan 28 Bobby Ball [Harper], British comic, actor, singer and television host (Cannon and Ball; The Last of Summer Wine), born in Oldham, Lancashire, England (d. 2020)
- Jan 28 John Tavener, British composer (The Whale; The Protecting Veil), born in London, England (d. 2013)
- Jan 28 Marty Fried, American rock drummer (The Cyrkle - "Red Rubber Ball"), born in Wayside, New Jersey
- Jan 30 Lynn Harrell, American concert cellist, born in New York City (d. 2020)
- Jan 31 Charlie Musselwhite, American blues harmonica player (Stand Back!; Get Up!), born in Kosciusko, Mississippi
About January 1944
How Old? 80 years old
Generation: Silent Generation
Leap Year: Yes
Chinese Zodiac: Goat/Sheep (Jan 1 - Jan 24), Monkey (Jan 25 - Jan 31)
Star Signs: Capricorn (Dec 22 - Jan 19), Aquarius (Jan 20 - Feb 18)
Country Singers
Jazz Musicians
Opera Singers
Pop Stars
Rappers
Rockers