- Jan 4 Bernhard Lewkovitch, Danish organist and composer (Tre Madrigali di Torquato Tasso), dies at 96
- Jan 4 David Soul [Solberg], American-British actor (Starsky & Hutch; Here Come s the Brides), and singer ("Don't Give Up On Us"), dies at 80 [1]
- Jan 4 Glynis Johns, British stage and screen Tony Award-winning actress and singer (Mary Poppins; A Little Night Music - "Send In The Clowns"; The Sundowners), dies at 100 [1]
- Jan 4 John White, English-German experimental composer and musical performer (systems music), dies at 87
- Jan 5 (Derek) "Del" Palmer, English session and touring bassist, and sound engineer (Kate Bush), dies at 71
- Jan 8 Leon Wildes, American immigration attorney (successfully defended John Lennon against US government deportation efforts), dies at 90 [1]
- Jan 8 Tuomas Haapanen, Finnish violinist, conductor, and teacher, dies at 99
- Jan 9 James Kottak, American rock drummer (Scorpions, 1996-2016), dies at 61
- Jan 16 Laurence "Laurie" Johnson, British film and television score composer (Dr. Strangelove; The Avengers), dies at 96 [1]
- Jan 16 Peter Schickele (aka P.D.Q. Bach), American bassoonist, Grammy Award-winning composer, classical music parodist (No-No Nonette; Concerto for Horn & Hardart; Silent Running), and broadcaster, dies at 88 [1]
- Jan 17 Toni Stern, American poet (The Wet Clay of My Heart), and lyricist (Carole King - "It's Too Late", "Where You Lead"), dies at 79 [1]
- Jan 19 Marlena Shaw [Marlina Burgess], American jazz, R&B, and disco singer ("California Soul"; "Touch Me In the Morning"), dies at 81
- Jan 19 Mary Weiss, American pop singer (The Shangri-Las - "Leader of the Pack"), dies at 75
- Jan 23 Melanie [Safka], American singer-songwriter ("Brand New Key"; "What Have They Done to My Song Ma"; "Candles in Rain"), dies at 76 [1] [2]
- Jan 30 Chita Rivera, American Tony Award-winning dancer, singer, and actress (West Side Story; Bye Bye Birdie; Sweet Charity; Chicago), dies at 91 [1] [2]
- Jan 31 Ed Reed, American jazz vocalist, dies of liver cancer at 94 [1] [2]
Country Singers
Jazz Singers
Opera Singers
Pop Singers
Rappers
Rock Singers