- Jan 5 "6 Degrees of Separation" closes at Vivian Beaumont NYC after 496 performances
- Jan 5 "On Borrowed Time" closes at Circle in Sq Theater NYC after 99 performances
- Jan 5 Revival of Leigh, Charlap, Styne, Comden and Green's musical "Peter Pan", starring Cathy Rigby, closes at Minskoff Theater, NYC, after 48 performances
Born at the Right Time
Jan 11 American singer-songwriter Paul Simon brings his “Born at the Right Time” tour to South Africa, at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg
Johnny Cash, Isley Brothers Inducted
Jan 15 7th Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees: Bobby "Blue" Bland; Booker T. and the MG's; Johnny Cash; Jimi Hendrix Experience; Isley Brothers; Sam and Dave; The Yardbirds; Elmore James; Professor Longhair; Leo Fender; Bill Graham; and Doc Pomus
- Jan 16 "Two Shakespearean Actors" opens at Cort Theater NYC for 29 performances
Eric Clapton "Unplugged"
Jan 16 Eric Clapton performs for an episode of MTV "Unplugged" at Bray Film Studios in Windsor, England. Recording won six Grammy Awards, and became Clapton's bestselling album, and the bestselling live album of all time
- Jan 19 Cy Coleman and David Zippel's musical "City of Angels" closes at the Virginia Theater, NYC, after 879 performances, winning 6 Tony and 8 Drama Desk Awards
- Jan 23 "Visit" opens at Criterion Theater NYC for 45 performances
- Jan 24 Chalino Sánchez is attacked and shot while performing at the Plaza Los Arcos restaurant in Coachella, California
- Jan 26 "Little Hotel on the Side" opens at Belasco Theater NYC for 41 performances
- Jan 27 "Crazy He Calls Me" opens at Walter Kerr Theater NYC for 7 performances
- Jan 27 19th American Music Awards: C & C Music Factory, Michael Bolton win
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