- Jan 2 Richard Cole, American tour manager (Led Zeppelin)
John Paul Jones
Jan 3 John Paul Jones [John Baldwin], English rock bassist and songwriter (Led Zeppelin - Stairway to Heaven), born in London

John Paul Jones
Syd Barrett
Jan 6 Syd Barrett, English guitarist and early vocalist of the band Pink Floyd, born in Cambridge, England (d. 2006)

Syd Barrett
- Jan 7 Jann S Wenner, American publisher (Rolling Stone), born in NYC, New York
- Jan 8 Robby Krieger, American guitarist (The Doors-Light My Fire), born in Los Angeles, California
- Jan 10 Aynsley Dunbar, English drummer (Journey, Jefferson Starship), born in Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Jan 10 Bob Lang, English bassist (Wayne Fontana & The Mindbenders), born in Manchester, United Kingdom
- Jan 11 Naomi Judd [Diana Ellen], American country singer (Judds - Why Not Me), born in Ashland, Kentucky
- Jan 11 Tony Kaye [Anthony John Selvidge], English piano and organ player (Yes, 1968-71; 1983-94; 2018–19), born in Leicester, England
- Jan 12 Cynthia Robinson, American musician (Sly & Family Stone - "Everyday People"), born in Sacramento, California (d. 2015)
- Jan 12 George Duke, American keyboard pioneer & composer, born in San Rafael, California (d. 2013)
- Jan 13 Eero Koivistoinen, Finnish musician
- Jan 16 Katia Ricclarelli, Italian soprano and actress (Falstaff, Otello, Turandot), born in Rovigo, Italy
Dolly Parton
Jan 19 Dolly Parton, American country singer-songwriter ("Jolene"; ""I Will Always Love You", "9 to 5"), actress, and literacy advocate, born in Sevierville, Tennessee

Dolly Parton
Malcolm McLaren
Jan 22 Malcolm McLaren, British band manager (the Sex Pistols), born in London (d. 2010)

Malcolm McLaren
- Jan 28 Rick Allen, American rock bass player and keyboardist (The Box Tops - "Cry Like A Baby"), born in Little Rock, Arkansas
- Jan 28 Gailene Stock, Australian ballerina, teacher, and dance school director, born in Ballarat, Victoria (d. 2014)
- Jan 29 Bettye LaVette [Betty Jo Haskins], American soul singer (I've Got My Own Hell to Raise), born in Muskegon, Michigan
- Jan 31 Terry Kath, American rock guitarist & songwriter (Chicago), born in Chicago, Illinois (d. 1976)
About January 1946
How Old? 75 years old
Generation: Baby Boomer
Leap Year: No