- Aug 1 Chico Alvarez, trumpeteer (Stan Kenton Orchestra), dies of cancer at 72
- Aug 2 Michel Berger [Hamburger], French singer-songwriter, and record producer. dies of a heart attack at 44
- Aug 5 Jeff Porcaro, American drummer (Toto - "Rosanna"; "Africa"), dies of cardiac arrest at 38
- Aug 7 Titti Sotto, Cuban singer and composer (La Esquina Habanera), dies of respiratory and liver failure at 48
- Aug 9 William Russell [Russell William Wagner], American violinist, modern composer (Fugue for Eight Percussion Instruments), and musicologist (Oh, Mister Jelly), dies at 87
- Aug 12 John Cage, American composer (4′33″; Imaginary Landscape No 1/O'O), dies of a stroke at 79
- Aug 14 Tony Williams, American singer (The Platters, 1953-59 - "Only You"; "Great Pretender"), dies at 64
- Aug 15 Jackie Edwards, Jamaican songwriter (Keep On Running), dies at 53 or 54
- Aug 16 Don "Pixie" Roberts, Australian jazz clarinetist, saxophone player, and record label executive (Swaggle), dies at 75
- Aug 16 Mark Heard, Christian musician, dies at 41 of a heart attack
- Aug 21 Theodor Berger, Austrian composer. (Sinfonia Parabolica), dies at 87
- Aug 22 Paul Winter, American classical and session violinist (NBC Orchestra, 1937-58), dies at 78
- Aug 24 Larrie Londin [Ralph Gallant], American session drummer (Motown and Nashville), dies of a heart attack at 48
- Aug 25 Alma Graciela Haro Esmerelda, singer, dies of diabetes at 65
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