- Jan 1 Maurice Chevalier, French actor (Can Can; Gigi) and singer ("Thank Heaven For Little Girls"), dies at 83
- Jan 4 Carl-Olof Anderberg, Swedish composer, dies at 57
- Jan 7 Eftichia Papagianopoulos, Greek lyricist (b. 1893)
- Jan 10 Al Goodman, Russian-American orchestra leader (NBC Comedy Hour), dies at 81
- Jan 10 Sverre Jordan, Norwegian composer, orchestra conductor and pianist (Norwegian Rapsody), dies at 82
- Jan 16 David Seville [Ross Bagdasarian], American songwriter ("Come On A-My House"), singer (Alvin & The Chipmunks - "Witch Doctor"), and actor (Rear Window), dies at 52
- Jan 18 Rudolf Wittelsbach, Swiss pianist and composer, dies at 69
- Jan 19 Michael Rabin, American violinist (In Memorium), dies at 35
- Jan 23 Big Maybelle [Mabel Smith], American R&B singer (A Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On; Candy), dies from complications of diabetes at 47
Mahalia Jackson (1911-1972)
Jan 27 American gospel singer ("Whole World In His Hands"), dies of a heart failure at 60
Country Singers
Jazz Musicians
Opera Singers
Pop Stars
Rappers
Rockers