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- Deep Purple’s “Deepest Purple: The Very Best of Deep Purple” reached No. 1 on the UK album chart on August 2, 1980, becoming the band’s third album to reach the top of the UK charts.
- “Magic” by Olivia Newton-John, from the soundtrack to the film “Xanadu,” reached No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 on August 2, 1980.
- The Clash released the single “Bank Robber,” which had previously been available only as an import. Their record label, CBS, had initially rejected its release, considering the song insufficiently commercial.
- José Feliciano married Susan Omillian in California on August 2, 1982.
- James Jamerson, the influential Motown bassist and member of The Funk Brothers, died on August 2, 1983, in Los Angeles at the age of 47 from complications related to cirrhosis of the liver, heart failure, and pneumonia. He played on numerous landmark Motown recordings and was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.
- Chris de Burgh reached No. 1 on the UK singles chart on August 2, 1986, with “The Lady in Red,” beginning a three-week run at the top. “The Lady in Red” became his first UK No. 1 hit.
- Peter Cetera began a two-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 on August 2, 1986, with “The Glory of Love” from the film The Karate Kid Part II.
- David Martin, bassist with Sam the Sham & The Pharaohs and co-writer of “Wooly Bully,” died of a heart attack at the age of 50.
- George Clinton released the album “The Cinderella Theory.”
- Rick James and his girlfriend Tanya Hijazi were arrested in Hollywood on August 2, 1991, and charged with, among other offenses, assault with a deadly weapon, torture, and unlawful imprisonment.
- Charlotte Aitchison, known professionally as Charli XCX, was born in Cambridge, England.
- Peggy Lee gave her final major public performance at the Hollywood Bowl.
- The Beastie Boys began a three-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. album chart with “Hello Nasty,” which became their third U.S. No. 1 album.
- The Beatles were voted “Favourite Recording Artist of All Time” in a poll conducted by the British music magazine Mojo. They finished ahead of Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Queen, and Elton John.
- Jerome Smith of KC and the Sunshine Band died after being crushed by a bulldozer while working. He was a member of the group, which had the U.S. No. 1 hits “Get Down Tonight” and “That's the Way (I Like It).”
- Madonna’s “Music” music video premiered.
- Liverpool music retailer Rushworth and Dreaper closed after approximately 150 years in business. The store became renowned for supplying musical instruments to The Beatles and other Liverpool bands.
- New Orleans International Airport was renamed Louis Armstrong International Airport on August 2, 2001, in honor of the New Orleans-born trumpeter, singer, and bandleader Louis Armstrong.
- Ron Townson, singer with The 5th Dimension, died on August 2, 2001, at the age of 68 from kidney failure.
- Eric Clapton purchased a 50% stake in the London menswear store Cordings to help save the historic business from closure.
- Brandon Flowers, lead singer of The Killers, married his longtime girlfriend, Tana Mundkowsky, in a small private ceremony in Hawaii. Members of the band, along with family and friends, attended the ceremony.
- Status Quo filmed a cameo appearance for the British television series Coronation Street, where they were set to play themselves in three episodes.
- Elvis Presley Enterprises announced plans for a major redevelopment of the Graceland complex, including a new visitor center, hotel, and modern multimedia exhibits.
- Keith Richards signed a deal to write his autobiography, which was later published under the title Life.
- Rockabilly singer and musician Billy Lee Riley died on August 2, 2009, at the age of 75 from colon cancer.
- The Black Eyed Peas reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart with “I Gotta Feeling,” beginning a two-week run at the top.
- Arcade Fire released the album “The Suburbs.” It was released in the United Kingdom on August 2, while its release in the United States and Canada followed on August 3.
- Singer Jimmy Jones, known for the hits “Handy Man” and “Good Timin',” died at the age of 82.
- Nielsen SoundScan reported that U.S. album sales for the week ending July 28 totaled 4.68 million units, the lowest figure since the tracking system was introduced in 1991.
- “Weird Al” Yankovic’s album “Mandatory Fun” reached No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard 200, becoming his first album to top the chart.
- The Kidd Creole, one of the founding members of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, was arrested in connection with the fatal stabbing of a homeless man in New York City.
- Skillet released their tenth studio album, “Victorious,” featuring, among other tracks, “Legendary” and “Save Me.”
- During his concert in Hannover on August 2, 2019, Ed Sheeran broke U2’s record for the highest-grossing concert tour of all time. His Divide Tour surpassed the $735.3 million gross generated by U2’s 360° Tour.
- Steve Holland, a founding member and guitarist of Molly Hatchet, died after a long illness at the age of 66.
- Taylor Swift gave her truck drivers on the Eras Tour an extraordinary $100,000 bonus each in recognition of their work. Total bonuses reportedly exceeded $55 million for performers and crew members.
- Aerosmith announced the cancellation of their touring plans due to an injury to Steven Tyler’s vocal cords.
- Jack White completed his quest to visit all 30 Major League Baseball stadiums. The final stop was Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, where he watched the Philadelphia Phillies take on the Detroit Tigers on August 2.