January 7 - Kenneth Moss, a former record company executive, is sentenced to 120 days in the Los Angeles County Jail and four years probation for involuntary manslaughter in the 1974 drug induced death of Average White Band drummer Robbie McIntosh[?].
January 13 - A trial begins for seven Brunswick Records and Dakar Records[?] employees. The record company employees are charged with stealing more than $184,000 in royalties from artists.
February 24 - The Eagles Their Greatest Hits compilation becomes the first album in history to be certified platinum by the RIAA. The new platinum certification represents sales of at least 1 million copies for albums and 2 million copies for singles.
March 6 - EMI Records reissues all 22 previously released British Beatles singles, plus a new single of the classic "Yesterday". All 23 singles hit the UK charts at the same time
March 26 - In Paris, France, Wings guitarist Jimmy McCullough[?] breaks one of his fingers when he slips in his hotel bathroom following the final performance on the band's European tour. The injury ended up delaying the band's United States tour by three weeks.
April 24 - Saturday Night Live producer Lorne Michaels makes on on-air offer to pay the Beatles $3000 to reunite on the show. Lennon and McCartney were apparently watching the show together in New York and considered walking down to the studio to accept the check. On May 22, he raises his offer from $3000 to $3,200.
April 29 - When his tour stops in Memphis, Tennessee, Bruce Springsteen jumps the wall at Elvis Presley's mansion, "Graceland", in an attempt to see his idol. Security guards stop Springsteen and escourt him off the grounds.
... February 1 - S. J. Perelman[?], humorist, author
February 4 - MacKinlay Kantor[?], historian (+ 1977)
February 5 - Walter Gross[?], cabaretist (+ 1989)
February 7 ...