- Jan 2 (Woodward) "Tex" Ritter, American country singer (5 Star Jubilee, "Wayward Wind"), dies of a heart attack at 67
- Jan 4 Karel Janeček, Czech composer, dies at 70
- Jan 5 Lev Oborin, Russian-Soviet pianist (winner of 1st International Chopin Competition, 1927), composer and pedagogue, dies at 66
- Jan 10 Eddie Safranski, American jazz double bassist and orchestra leader (Jonathan Winters Show), dies at 55
- Jan 13 Raoul Jobin, French-Canadian operatic tenor (1930-58), and educator (Conservatoire de musique du Québec, 1960-71), dies at 69
- Jan 15 Karel Salmon [Karl Salomon], Israeli operatic bass-baritone singer, composer, and conductor, dies at 76
- Jan 16 Roy Bargy, American pianist and composer (Jimmy Durante Show), dies at 79
- Jan 26 Wiktor Labunski, Polish-American composer, dies at 78
Country Singers
Jazz Musicians
Opera Singers
Pop Stars
Rappers
Rockers