- Jan 3 Mateusz Gliński, Polish conductor, musicologist (Scriabin, Chopin), composer, and pedagogue (Winsdor University), dies at 83
- Jan 5 Georges Migot, French composer, and poet (Les Agrestide; L'Arche), dies at 84
- Jan 5 Mal Evans, British Beatles roadie and personal assistant, dies in a confrontation with police at his Los Angeles home at 40
- Jan 10 Howlin' Wolf [Chester Arthur Burnett], American blues musician (Smokestack Lightnin', Killing Floor), dies of complications during kidney surgery at 65
Paul Robeson (1898-1976)
Jan 23 American stage and screen bass-baritone singer ("Old Man River"), actor, and civil rights activist, dies of stroke complications in Philadelphia at 77
- Jan 28 Chris Kenner, American R&B singer-songwriter (I Like it Like That), dies at 46
- Jan 30 Beau De Glen "Mance" Lipscomb, American blues singer and guitarist ("Shine On, Harvest Moon"), dies of a stroke at 80
- Jan 31 Buster Brown, American blues singer and harmonica player (Fannie Mae), dies at 64
- Jan 31 Evert Axel Taube, Swedish ballad singer and composer, dies at 85
Country Singers
Jazz Musicians
Opera Singers
Pop Stars
Rappers
Rockers