Plane Crash
Jan 5 Buddy Holly releases his last record "It Doesn't Matter"; he was killed in a plane crash 29 days later
Music History
Jan 12 American record company Motown is founded by Berry Gordy Jr. as Tamla Records
- Jan 17 "Say, Darling" closes at ANTA Theater NYC after 332 performances
Music History
Jan 20 Dmitri Shostakovich's Moscow-Tsjerjomoesjki premieres in Moscow
- Jan 24 "Party with Comden & Green" closes at John Golden NYC after 38 performances
- Jan 24 Dmitri Shostakovich's comedy "Cheryomushk" premieres in Moscow
Music Premiere
Jan 30 Paul Hindemith's symphony "Pittsburgh" premieres