- Aug 5 Josef Stanislav, Czech composer, and pedagogue, dies at 74
- Aug 7 (Henry) "Homer" Haynes, American country music comedian and guitarist (Homer & Jethro - "The Battle of Kookamonga"), dies of a heart attack at 51
- Aug 13 King Curtis [Ousley], American Grammy Award-winning R&B, rock, jazz, and session saxophonist bandleader ("Memphis Soul Stew"; Aretha Franklin; John Lennon), murdered during an argument with a vagrant outside of his NYC home at 37
- Aug 15 Thomas Wayne, American rockabilly singer ("Tragedy"), dies in a car accident at 31
- Aug 23 Gisela Hernández [Gonzalo], Cuban composer (Diálogo), and music educator, dies at 58
- Aug 25 Ted Lewis [Theodore Leopold Friedman], American entertainer, bandleader and musician (Is Everybody Happy?), dies of lung failure at 81
- Aug 26 Francesco Santoliquido, Italian composer, dies at 88
- Aug 27 Lillian "Lil" Hardin Armstrong, American jazz pianist, composer, and bandleader, dies at 73
Country Singers
Jazz Singers
Opera Singers
Pop Singers
Rappers
Rock Singers