Dave Shapiro of Sound Talent Group Dead In San Diego Plane Crash
via FOX 11 Los Angeles / Youtube
Early Thursday morning, a small Cessna 550 jet crashed into a military housing neighborhood in San Diego, leaving the music world reeling. Among the victims was Dave Shapiro, 42, a well-known music agent and co-founder of Sound Talent Group. The private aircraft, registered to Shapiro’s aviation company, went down near the Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport, sparking fires that damaged several homes and cars. Thankfully, no one on the ground was injured.
Sound Talent Group released a heartfelt statement:
“We are devastated by the loss of our co-founder, colleagues and friends. Our hearts go out to their families and to everyone impacted by today’s tragedy. Thank you so much for respecting their privacy at this time.”
A Powerful Force in Music
Dave Shapiro was a respected figure in the rock and metal music scene, managing a powerhouse roster that included Sum 41, Pierce the Veil, Silverstein, and Australian bands like Parkway Drive and Northlane. After his time at the Agency Group and United Talent Agency, Shapiro helped launch Sound Talent Group in 2018 alongside Tim Borror and Matt Andersen. He also ran Velocity Records, which signed acts like Thursday and Craig Owens.
NITO (National Independent Talent Organisation), of which Shapiro was a founding member, honored his contributions: “Dave was a visionary in the music industry… His passion, dedication, and unwavering support for artists shaped the careers of countless musicians and helped elevate the live music experience for fans around the world.” They added, “Our sincerest condolences go out to Dave’s family, friends, and everyone at STG. This is a monumental loss to our community.”
A Life in Flight and Music
Shapiro had a deep love for aviation. He often shared flying photos online and described himself as a pilot and founder of Velocity Aviation, a flight training company. While the full list of passengers hasn’t been confirmed, one name possibly on board was Daniel Williams, former drummer for The Devil Wears Prada. He posted a cockpit photo captioned “co-pilot now” just before the crash. The band later shared, “No words. We owe you everything. Love you forever.”
The FAA and NTSB are continuing their investigation into the cause of the crash.
