Dashed left edge = started before August 1970 ·
Dashed right edge = ongoing beyond August 1970
Events in August 1970 16
1905 – 1970Abraham Zapruder (1905-1970)Died 30 August 1970, aged 65Abraham Zapruder, the Dallas dressmaker who filmed the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on his home movie camera, died in Dallas, Texas. His footage became one of the most scrutinized pieces of film in history.
1913 – 1970Frances Farmer (1913-1970)American actress of the 1930s whose troubled life became the subject of books and films.
1970Christine McVie joins Fleetwood MacKeyboards and vocalsJohn McVie's wife joins the band.
1970The Allman Brothers Band's Duane Allman plays on LaylaDerek and the DominosDuane's slide guitar defines Eric Clapton's Layla.
1970The Troubadour, Los AngelesUS debut, August 1970Played his first show in the United States, co-headlining with David Ackles at The Troubadour in West Hollywood. The show earned rave reviews and is widely regarded as the moment Elton John became a star — later dramatised in the film "Rocketman".
1970US Open 1970Men: Ken Rosewall · Women: Margaret Court
1970Frances Farmer dies in IndianapolisFrances Farmer dies aged 56.
1970Miami trial beginsDade County Courthouse, August 1970The Miami trial — "State of Florida vs. James Douglas Morrison" — began at the Dade County Courthouse in August 1970, with attorney Max Fink leading his defence. The trial ran for months and attracted national media attention.
1970 – presentAlan ShearerThe Goal MachineAll-time leading goalscorer in Premier League history.
1970 – presentJim CourierThe RockFormer World No. 1 and four-time major winner.
1970The Band release Stage FrightThird albumRecorded live on a stage in Woodstock.
1970Lou Reed leaves The Velvet UndergroundMax's Kansas CityQuits after a residency at Max's Kansas City.
1970 – 1993River Phoenix (1970-1993)Died 31 October 1993, aged 19River Phoenix was an American actor acclaimed for his roles in "Stand by Me" and "My Own Private Idaho" and considered one of his generation's most promising talents. He collapsed and died of drug-induced heart failure outside the Viper Room nightclub in Los Angeles. His death at 19 shocked Hollywood and became a cautionary symbol of substance abuse in the entertainment industry.
1970Jimi Hendrix opens Electric Lady StudiosGreenwich VillageHis own recording studio in New York.
1970Miles Davis plays the Isle of Wight Festival600,000 peopleElectric jazz for a rock festival crowd.
1970Jimi Hendrix plays the Isle of Wight FestivalLast UK showHis final concert in Britain.