1939 in music

Events

• Charlie Christian's musical career begins

Top Hit Records

• "And the Angels Sing" by Benny Goodman
• "Scatter-Brain" by Frankie Masters[?]
• "Jeepers Creepers" by Al Donohue[?]
• "Beer Barrel Polka" by Will Glahe[?]
• "Over the Rainbow[?]" by Glenn Miller, also Judy Garland
• "Deep Purple" by Larry Clinton[?]
• "Moon Love" by Glenn Miller
• "South of the Border" by Shep Fields[?]
• "Stairway to the Stars" by Glenn Miller
• "Wishing (Will Make It So)" by Glenn Miller

Births

• January 10 - Scott McKenzie[?]
• January 12 - William Lee Golden[?], The Oakridge Boys[?]
• February 11 - Gerry Goffin[?], songwriter
• February 28 - John Fahey[?]
• March 1 - Warren Davis[?], The Monotones[?]
• March 13 - Neil Sedaka[?]
• March 17 - Clarence Collins[?], Little Anthony & The Imperials[?]
• April 1 - Rudolph Isley[?], The Isley Brothers
• April 2 - Marvin Gaye
• April 3 - Jeff Barry[?]
• April 5 - Ronnie White[?], The Miracles[?]
• April 16 - Dusty Springfield
• April 18 - Glen Hardin, The Crickets
• April 20 - Johnny Tillotson[?]
• April 21 - Ernie Maresca[?]
• April 23 - Ray Peterson[?]
• May 1 - Judy Collins
• May 7 - Johnny Maestro[?], The Crests[?], Brooklyn Bridge
• May 7 - Jimmy Ruffin[?]
• May 9 - Nokie Edwards[?], The Ventures[?]
• June 6 - Gary U.S. Bonds[?]
• June 16 - Billy Crash Craddock[?]
• July 1 - Delaney Bramlett[?], Delaney & Bonnie[?]
• July 2 - Paul Williams, The Temptations
• July 18 - Dion DiMucci
• July 18 - Brian Auger[?], Trinity[?]
• July 31 - John West[?], Gary Lewis & The Playboys[?]
• August 4 - Frankie Ford[?]
• August 9 - Billy Henderson[?], The Spinners[?]
• August 10 - Sal Cuomo[?], The Regents[?]
• August 17 - Ed Saunders[?], The Fugs[?]
• August 19 - Peter Ginger Baker[?], Cream, Blind Faith
• August 22 - Fred Milano[?], The Belmonts
• August 24 - Ernie Wright[?], Little Anthony and the Imperials[?]
• August 31 - Jerry Allison[?], The Crickets
• September 2 - Sam Gooden[?], The Impressions
• September 2 - Bobby Lee Dickey[?], James & Bobby Purify[?]
• September 5 - John Stewart[?]
• September 17 - Lamonte McLemore[?], The Fifth Dimension
• September 23 - Roy Buchanan[?]
• September 25 - Jesse Russell[?], The Persuasions[?]
• October 20 - Jay Siegel[?], The Tokens[?]
• October 22 - Ray Jones[?], Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas[?]
• October 23 - Ellie Greenwich[?], songwriter
• October 30 - Eddie Holland[?], Holland/Dozier/Holland[?]
• October 30 - Otis Williams[?], The Temptations
• October 30 - Grace Slick[?], Jefferson Airplane
• November 11 - Albee Galione[?], The Passions[?]
• November 12 - Ruby Nash Curtis[?], Ruby & The Romantics[?]
• November 19 - Pete Moore[?], The Miracles[?]
• November 26 - Tina Turner
• November 28 - Gary Troxel[?], The Fleetwoods[?]
• November 29 - Jerry Yester[?], The Association[?]
• December 15 - Cindy Birdsong[?], The Supremes
• December 17 - Eddie Kendricks[?], The Temptations
• December 25 - Bob James[?]

Deaths

• June 4 - Tommy Ladnier
• December 22 - Ma Rainey