- Aug 1 Seppo Nummi, Finnish composer and music critic, dies at 49
- Aug 3 Seymour Österwall, Swedish jazz tenor saxophonist, bandleader and composer, dies at 73
- Aug 14 Karl Böhm, Austrian conductor, dies at 87
- Aug 17 Robert Russell Bennett, American composer and arranger (Oklahoma!), dies at 87
- Aug 21 Hermann Schey, German-Dutch classical bass-baritone singer, and teacher, dies at 85
- Aug 23 (Thaman) "Pete" Daily, American swing and dixieland jazz cornetist and valve trombonist (The Chicagoans), dies at 70
- Aug 26 Lee Hays, American folk singer (The Weavers), songwriter ("Wasn't That a Time?"; "If I Had a Hammer"; "Kisses Sweeter than Wine"), and civil rights activist, dies at 67dies of a heart attack at 67
- Aug 26 Walter "Foots" Thomas, American saxophonist, flutist, and arranger (Cab Calloway Orchestra), dies from cancer at 74
- Aug 27 Joan Edwards, American pop singer on radio (Your Hit Parade) and television (Joan Edwards Show), dies of a heart attack at 62
- Aug 28 Guy Stevens, British record company executive (Sue; Island), band manager (Mott the Hoople; Procol Harum), and record producer (The Clash - London Calling), dies from an overdose of anti-alcohol medication at 38
Vera-Ellen (1921-1981)
Aug 30 American actress and dancer (White Christmas; Big Leaguer; On the Town), dies of cancer at 60
Country Singers
Jazz Singers
Opera Singers
Pop Singers
Rappers
Rock Singers