Dashed left edge = started before January 1975 ·
Dashed right edge = ongoing beyond January 1975
Events in January 1975 13
1902 – 1975Larry Fine (1902-1975)Died 24 January 1975, aged 72Larry Fine was an American actor and comedian best known as a member of the Three Stooges slapstick comedy team. He performed with the group for over four decades across film and television. A stroke in 1970 had already ended his performing career before his death.
1975Australian Open 1975Men: John Newcombe · Women: Evonne Goolagong
1975F-16 wins the Lightweight Fighter contestYF-16 over YF-17The US Air Force selects the YF-16 over Northrop's YF-17, which lives on as the Navy's F/A-18 Hornet. Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway soon order the F-16 too.
19751975: Niki LaudaFerrariAustrian Lauda won the first of his three titles with Ferrari, bringing the Italian team back to the top of the sport after a long drought.
1975 – 1985Began Skating in NorilskStarted skating at the age of seven in Norilsk. Moved to Leningrad to train under the legendary coach Tamara Moskvina, who would guide his entire competitive career.
1975Exile to FranceEmigrated to France, settling in Paris. He would never return to live in Czechoslovakia.
1975 – 1976Fandango! and Worldwide Texas TourReleased Fandango! featuring the hit Tush. The band's Worldwide Texas Tour featured a stage set with live longhorn cattle, rattlesnakes and a buffalo.
1975La Scala DebutMade her debut at Milan's Teatro alla Scala as a last-minute replacement. When the scheduled soprano Mirella Freni fell ill, Pavarotti reportedly cried: 'Get Cotrubas!' The audience response was rapturous.
1975The Rocky Horror Picture Show — FilmReprised his role as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the film adaptation of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, co-starring Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick. The film initially underperformed but became a global cult phenomenon through midnight screenings, notorious for rowdy audience participation with callbacks, props and costumes. It became a rare beacon for the LGBTQ community in a pre-internet age.
1975 – 1981The Washington StarJoined The Washington Star, where he drew from the heart of American political power. Created his trademark character Punk, a small penguin who appeared in the corner of his cartoons offering ironic commentary.
1975TommyPlayed the Acid Queen in Ken Russell's film adaptation of The Who's rock opera Tommy, delivering a scene-stealing performance.
1975 – 1976Travesties on StagePlayed Tristan Tzara in Tom Stoppard's Travesties in both the West End and on Broadway, earning his first Olivier Award nomination and demonstrating his range beyond musical theatre.
1975Bob Dylan releases Blood on the TracksThe breakup albumWidely seen as his finest work of the 1970s.