- 1679 Werner Fabricius, German composer, dies at 45
- 1854 Filippo Traetta, [Philip Trajetta], Italian composer, dies at 77
- 1863 Ferdinand Huber, Swiss composer, dies at 71
- 1886 Jakob Eduard Schmolzer, Austrian composer, dies at 73
- 1911 Edwin Arthur Jones, American composer (Song of our Saviour), dies at 57
- 1939 Johann Strauss, Austrian conductor and Royal ball director, dies at 72
- 1948 Violet Gordon-Woodhouse, British musician, dies at 75
- 1949 Amilcare Zanella, Italian composer and conductor, dies at 75
- 1957 Mary Carr Moore, composer, dies at 83
- 1959 Paul Malengreau, composer, dies at 71
- 1962 Leroy Shield, American pianist and composer (Union Pacific Suite), dies at 68
- 1966 Haro Levoni Step'anian, Armenian composer, dies at 68
- 1968 Louis-Francois-Marie Aubert, French composer (Habanera), dies at 90
- 1969 Ladislav Vycpalek, composer, dies at 86
- 1971 Giannis Christou, Greek composer (b. 1926)
- 1972 Ted Shawn, US dancer, dies at 80
- 1977 Alexey Fedorovich Kozlovsky, Russian composer, dies at 71
- 1979 Avery Claflin, composer, dies at 80
- 1981 Kazimierz Serocki, composer, dies at 58
- 1994 Silas Hogan, blues singer/guitarist, dies at 82
- 2009 Dave Dee, British musician (Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich), dies of cancer at 67
- 2012 Ruth Fernandez, Puerto Rican singer and politician, dies from septic shock and pneumonia at 92
- 2012 Bridie Gallagher, Irish singer, dies at 87
- 2018 Karin von Aroldingen, German ballet dancer (NYC Ballet Co), dies at 76
January in History
A Crackdown on Lovers in New York
New York wasn't always a free and easy city. Time was when not only adultery was a crime, but even looking at a lady in the wrong way could land a guy in trouble.
January 8, 1902The Man Who Saved Elton John's Life
Long John Baldry was born on this day - a friend of stars from Rod Stewart to The Beatles and who, in 1969, famously took Elton John aside and saved the life.
January 12, 1941British Museum Opens its Doors
The British Museum opened to visitors on January 15, 1759. Fearing damage to the collections by unruly hordes, nobody was admitted without a ticket.
January 15, 1759Designer Throws His Hat Into the Ring; Creates a Sensation
The first time a man stepped out in London wearing a topper it caused a sensation, then a court case. Who now could imagine Fred Astaire without his famous top hat?
January 15, 1797
