30th January

Sugar Babies - The Burlesque Musical, starring Ann Miller and Mickey Rooney, is presented at The Mark Hellinger Theatre, Broadway, New York City, USA, during a run of 1208 performances.

John Mayall And The Bluesbreakers play the first of two nights in Adelaide, Australia, Oceania.

Blues legend Sam 'Lightnin' Hopkins dies of cancer in Centerville, Texas, USA, aged 70.

On his 55-date Controversy Tour Prince plays at The Capitol Theatre, Passaic, New Jersey, USA.

Paul McCartney appears as the subject of long-running BBC radio show Desert Island Discs, in the UK. His choices include tracks by Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, John Lennon, Gene Vincent, The Coasters and Little Richard.

The Police play at Cobo Hall, Detroit, Michigan, USA.

UK pop weekly the NME publishes its annual readers' poll, showing The Jam as Best Group of 1981.

Other NME Poll Winners : Altered Images - Best New Act

Siouxsie Sioux - Best Female Singer

David Bowie - Best Male Singer

Paul Weller (The Jam) - Best Songwriter

The Specials' Ghost Town - Best Single

Echo And The Bunnymen - Heaven Up Here - Best Album.