- Jan 1 Robert Mann, American composer and violinist (String Quartet 1952), dies at 97
- Jan 2 Rick Hall, American record producer, songwriter, and creator of the "Muscle Shoals sound" (FAME Studio), dies of prostate cancer at 85
- Jan 3 Bra Willie [Keorapetse Kgositsile], South African poet and political activist (Point of Departure: Fire Dance Fire Song), dies at 79
- Jan 3 Colin Brumby, Australian composer (Fibonacci Variations), conductor (Queensland Opera, 1968-71), and educator, dies at 84
- Jan 3 Konrad Ragossnig, Austrian classical guitarist and lutenist, dies at 85
- Jan 4 Ray Thomas, English rock vocalist and flautist (Moody Blues - "Legend Of A Mind"), dies at 76
- Jan 5 José Molina [Quijada], Spanish-born American flamenco dancer, dies of lung cancer at 81
- Jan 7 Isabelle "France" Gall, French pop singer (Donner Pour Donner, Sacré Charlemagne), dies from cancer at 70
- Jan 7 Tom Netherton, American pop and Christian music singer (Lawrence Welk Show), dies from pneumonia at 70
- Jan 8 Denise LaSalle [Ora Denise Allen], American blues and R&B singer recognized as the "Queen of the Blues" ("Trapped by a Thing Called Love"), dies from complications from surgery at 83
- Jan 9 Karin von Aroldingen, German ballet dancer (NYC Ballet), dies at 76
- Jan 10 "Fast" Eddie Clarke, British guitarist (Fastway, Motörhead), dies from pneumonia at 67
- Jan 10 Wiesje Backer, Dutch ballet dancer, actress. and playwright, dies at 79
- Jan 12 Danny Woods, American soul singer (Chairmen of the Board - "Give Me Just a Little More Time"), dies at 75
- Jan 12 Pierre Pincemaille, French organist, composer, and pedagogue, dies of lung cancer at 61
- Jan 13 Tzimis Panousis, Greek musician, stand-up comedian, and radio presenter, dies of a heart attack at 63
- Jan 14 François Morel, Canadian pianist, conductor, and composer (Antiphonie; Me duele España), dies at 91
- Jan 14 Marlene VerPlanck [Pampinella], American jazz and pop vocalist, dies of pancreatic cancer at 84
Dolores O’Riordan (1971-2018)
Jan 15 Irish musician and singer-songwriter (The Cranberries - "Zombie"; ,"Linger"), drowns in the bath at 46
- Jan 15 Edwin Hawkins, American gospel musician, choir master and composer ("Oh Happy Day"), dies of pancreatic cancer at 74
- Jan 16 Dave Holland, English heavy metal rocker (Judas Priest - "Breakin' the Law"), dies at 69
- Jan 20 Jim Rodford, English rock bassist (The Kinks; Argent; Zombies), dies after a fall at 76
- Jan 23 Hugh Masekela, South African trumpeter, described as the "father of South African jazz" ("Grazing in the Grass"; "Soweto Blues"; Sarafina!), and anti-apartheid activist dies of prostate cancer at 78
- Jan 23 Lari White, American country music singer and actress (You Can Be a Star winner- 1988), dies of peritoneal cancer at 52
- Jan 24 Mark E. Smith, British rock vocalist (The Fall, The Post-Nearly Man), dies after a long illness at 60
- Jan 25 John Morris, American film and Broadway composer who commonly worked alongside Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder, dies of a respiratory infection at 91
- Jan 26 Francisco Savín, Mexican conductor and composer (Quasar I), dies at 88
- Jan 26 Igor Zhukov, Russian pianist, conductor (Moscow Chamber Orchestra), and sound engineer, dies at 80
- Jan 30 Mark Salling, American actor and musician (Glee), commits suicide at 35
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