Events in 1939
- Jimmie Nicol, the English drummer best known for temporarily replacing Ringo Starr during The Beatles’ 1964 world tour, was born in London.
- Frankie Ford, the American rock 'n' roll and R&B singer best known for the hit “Sea Cruise,” was born in Gretna, Louisiana.
- American soul singer, songwriter, producer and arranger William Nelson “Sonny” Sanders was born in Chicago, Illinois. In 1957, he founded The Satintones, the first vocal group to sign with Motown Records.
- Americký R&B a popový zpěvák Rolan Webster Holden se narodil v Seattlu ve Washingtonu. Proslavil se hitem „Love You So“ z roku 1960.
- Phil Balsley, baritone singer with The Statler Brothers, was born in Staunton, Virginia.
- Billy Henderson, a founding member and vocalist of the American rhythm and blues vocal group The Spinners, was born in Detroit, Michigan.
- Rockabilly guitarist Ronnie Dawson was born in Dallas, Texas. He made a name for himself on the local scene in the 1950s and 1960s and gained wider attention during the rockabilly revival of the 1990s.
- The musical film The Wizard of Oz premiered at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood after several changes of directors, scripts and cast. The film helped make Judy Garland's song “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” famous.
- English-Australian drummer Snowy Fleet, a member of The Easybeats, was born in Liverpool.
- The film The Wizard of Oz premiered in New York. Judy Garland became famous through the film, notably for the song “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”.
- Rock'n'roll singer Johnny Preston was born in Port Arthur, Texas. He was best known for his hit “Running Bear.”
- American soul and R&B singer, songwriter and producer Maxine Brown was born in Kingstree, South Carolina. She became known for the hits “All in My Mind” and “Funny.”
- English drummer, singer, songwriter and music producer Peter Edward “Ginger” Baker was born in Lewisham, South London, England. He became famous as co-founder of the rock group Cream, which had the UK number 11 single “I Feel Free” in 1966. He was also a member of Graham Bond Organisation, Blind Faith and Ginger Baker’s Airforce and became known for working with world music musicians, particularly for incorporating African influences. He also worked with Gary Moore, Hawkwind and Public Image Ltd.
- The Dick Jurgens Orchestra recorded “Day Dreams Come True at Night”.
- Orrin Tucker recorded the song “Oh, Johnny, Oh, Johnny, Oh!”.
- Country singer Harold Reid of The Statler Brothers was born in Staunton, Virginia. He co-wrote many of the group's hits, including “Bed of Rose's” and “Do You Know You Are My Sunshine”.
- American doo-wop singer Fred Milano was born in the Bronx, New York. He became best known as a member of the vocal trio Dion and the Belmonts.
- Doo-wop singer Fred Milano of The Belmonts was born in New York City. The group's name was inspired by Belmont Avenue in the Bronx, where he grew up.
- The radio program “Arch Oboler's Plays” was first presented by NBC Symphony.
- Opera tenor Allan Jones recorded the song “I'm Falling in Love with Someone”.
- Born in Atlanta, Georgia, he was a singer and member of Gladys Knight & the Pips. He joined the group in 1959 and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside the group in 1996.
- John Peel, British radio DJ, journalist and television presenter, was born John Robert Parker Ravenscroft. He was the longest-serving presenter on BBC Radio 1 and one of the most influential British DJs. He was among the first presenters to play psychedelic and progressive rock on British radio and was known for supporting artists from many genres including pop, reggae, indie rock, alternative rock, punk, hardcore punk, breakcore, grindcore, death metal, British hip hop and dance music. Peel died of a heart attack in Cusco, Peru, on October 25, 2004, at the age of 65.
- Frank Sinatra recorded "All or Nothing at All" with the Harry James Orchestra, one of his first major hits.
- Jerry Allison, drummer of American rock and roll band The Crickets, was born in Hillsboro, Texas. He co-wrote Buddy Holly's hits "That'll Be the Day" and "Peggy Sue". The group had the U.S. No. 1 single "That'll Be the Day" in 1957 and the British No. 1 single "It Doesn't Matter Anymore" in 1959.
- Bobby Purify, whose real name was Ben Moore, the singer of the American R&B duo James & Bobby Purify, was born. In 1976, the duo had the American hit “I'm Your Puppet” at number six and the British hit at number 12.
- One half of the R&B vocal duo James & Bobby Purify was born in Tallahassee, Florida.
- American singer and songwriter John Stewart was born in San Diego. He became known as a member of The Kingston Trio and as the writer of The Monkees' hit “Daydream Believer,” which reached number one on the chart.
- David Allan Coe, an American country singer and songwriter, was born.
- Lolly Vegas, born Candido Vasquez, guitarist and singer of the group Redbone, was born in Coalinga, California. Redbone were among the most prominent Native American bands. In 1971, they had the British hit “The Witch Queen Of New Orleans” at No. 2, and in 1974 the U.S. hit “Come and Get Your Love” at No. 4. According to the source, Jimi Hendrix named Lolly Vegas as his favorite guitarist and greatest musical influence.
- Perry Como recorded the song “That Old Gang of Mine” with the Ted Weems Orchestra in New York. The recording was made on October 4, 1939, and was released on the Decca label.
- Israeli musician and dancer Abraham Reichstadt, known as Abi Ofarim of the duo Esther & Abi Ofarim, was born.
- “I Wonder Who’s Kissing Her Now” was recorded by Perry Como and the Ted Weems Orchestra.
- Colin Cooper, singer, saxophonist, and harmonica player with the Climax Blues Band, was born in Stafford, England. The band had the hit “Couldn't Get It Right.”
- The real Eleanor Rigby died in her sleep from unknown causes at the age of 44. The Beatles song from 1966 was not originally written about her; in his first draft, Paul McCartney named the character Miss Daisy Hawkins. Her gravestone was discovered in the 1980s in the churchyard of St. Peter's in Woolton, Liverpool, near the place where McCartney and Lennon first met in 1957.
- Jazz saxophonist Coleman Hawkins recorded "Body and Soul," which became one of his best-known recordings.
- Harry James and his orchestra recorded "On a Little Street in Singapore".