- Aug 2 Bjarni Thorsteinsson, Icelandic organist, composer, musical folklorist, and priest, dies at 76
- Aug 4 Rudolf Georg Binding, German songwriter and writer (Legenden Der Zeit), dies at 70
- Aug 10 Joseph Moorat, British composer (Prunella), dies at 73
- Aug 14 Landon Ronald, British composer, pianist and teacher (Guildhall School of Music), dies at 65
Robert Johnson (1911-1938)
Aug 16 American blues singer-songwriter, and guitarist (King of Delta Blues Singers), poisoned at 27