- Jan 1 Tarik O'Regan, British contemporary classical composer (Threshold of Night; Heart of Darkness), born in London, England
- Jan 3 Kimberley Locke, American pop-dance singer-songwriter and television personality, born in Hartsville, Tennessee
- Jan 4 Mai Meneses, Spanish pop singer-songwriter (Nena Daconte), born in Madrid, Spain
- Jan 4 Patrick Farrell, American jazz and klezmer accordionist, born in New Orleans, Louisiana
- Jan 6 Nikki Einfeld, Canadian coloratura soprano, born in Manitoba
- Jan 7 Dan Forrest, American classical pianist, composer (Requiem for the Living; Good Night, Dear Heart), and educator, born in Breesport, New York
- Jan 9 A.J. McLean, American pop singer (Backstreet Boys), born in West Palm Beach, Florida
- Jan 10 Brent Smith, American rock singer (Shinedown), born in Knoxville, Tennessee
- Jan 10 Matt Roberts, American rock guitarist (3 Doors Down - "When I'm Gone"), born in Escatawpa, Mississippi (d. 2016)
- Jan 12 Jeremy Camp, American musician, born in Lafayette, Indiana
- Jan 12 Kris Roe, American musician (The Ataris), born in Anderson, Indiana
- Jan 17 Charles Richard "Ricky" Wilson, British singer-songwriter (Kaiser Chiefs - "Ruby"), born in Keighley, West Yorkshire, England
- Jan 21 Tamir "Nokio" Ruffin, American rapper, songwriter, and record producer (Dru Hill), born in Baltimore, Maryland
About January 1978
How Old? 46 years old
Generation: Generation X
Leap Year: No
Country Singers
Jazz Musicians
Opera Singers
Pop Stars
Rappers
Rockers