- Jan 2 "Superwoman" single released by Karyn White (Billboard Song of the Year 1989)
- Jan 8 "42nd Street" closes at Winter Garden Theater NYC after 3,486 performances
- Jan 8 "Starlight Express" closes at Gershwin Theater in NYC after 761 performances
- Jan 14 "Romance/Romance" closes at Helen Hayes Theater NYC after 297 performances
"Ain't Misbehavin'"
Jan 15 Revival of musical revue "Ain't Misbehavin'", highlighting songs of Fats Waller, closes at Ambassador Theater NYC after 176 performances
4th Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Jan 18 4th Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees: Dion; Otis Redding; The Rolling Stones; The Temptations; Stevie Wonder; The Ink Spots; Bessie Smith; The Soul Stirrers; and Phil Spector
- Jan 26 "Black & Blue" opens at Minskoff Theater NYC for 829 performances
16th American Music Awards
Jan 30 16th American Music Awards: Randy Travis and George Michael win
Country Singers
Jazz Musicians
Opera Singers
Pop Stars
Rappers
Rockers