Music Industry Icon, 42, Dies in Tragic Plane Crash
A small plane crashed into a military housing neighborhood on May 22 in the Murphy Canyon area of San Diego. – Author: Cat Badra, Photo via Audio Ink Radio
Music industry icon Dave Shapiro, who co-founded Sound Talent Group, passed away in a plane crash in San Diego on Thursday morning, May 22. Shapiro was only 42 years old. Shapiro represented a bevy of high-profile rock and metal bands, including Sum 41, Pierce the Veil, Opeth, Parkway Drive, Built to Spill, I Prevail, Clutch and GWAR.
According to a NBC News report, a small plane crashed into a military housing neighborhood on May 22 in the Murphy Canyon area of San Diego. The crash set homes and cars on fire, and there were fatalities for those in the aircraft.
According to a report from Billboard, two other Sound Talent Group employees and other individuals have also passed away. None of them have been publicly identified yet. The 1985 Cessna Citation aircraft crashed at around 4 a.m. in the Tierrasanta neighborhood, Billboard states.
“We are devastated by the loss of our co-founder, colleagues and friends,” a spokesperson for Sound Talent Group said. “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.”
In the Billboard report, the publication states that Shapiro was an experienced pilot and owned the company Velocity Aviation, where he was also a flight instructor. The jet, according to CBS 8, was identified specifically as a Cessna 550 private jet and registered to Daviator LLC. Shapiro was listed at the LLC’s sole employee and manager. Also, FAA records stated that he was certified as a flight instructor in 2010, per CBS 8.
Sound Talent Group Confirms Co-Founder’s Passing
Before starting the Sound Talent Group with Tim Borror and Matt Andersen, Shapiro worked at The Agency Group and United Talent Agency. On top of the bands mentioned earlier, Sound Talent Group also represents In This Moment, Killswitch Engage, Helmet, Beartooth, Animals as Leaders, Between the Buried and Me, Black Veil Brides, Corrosion of Conformity, Devin Townsend, Down, Hot Water Music, Story of the Year and Zakk Wylde, to name a few.
In a statement on their website, Sound Talent says what distinguishes them “from many companies is the family-like atmosphere fostered by STG’s three co-founders. The artist comes first, with an eye toward long-term relationships which build each respective client’s business in adventurous and creative ways.”
They add, “Artists, partners, coworkers, and collaborators are more than team members. Fierce loyalty and the style of camaraderie born and bred in DIY subculture remain the vibrant heart that powers STG.”
This summer, the Sound Talent Group is heading up the “Summer of Loud Tour,” featuring Beartooth, I Prevail, Killswitch Engage and Parkway Drive. The trek will set off on June 22.
“These are acts with career-long resonance in different subcultures and the mainstream alike,” Sound Talent adds. “From clubs and theaters to festivals and stadiums, streaming playlists, and the top of the Billboard 200 chart, these artists earn their fans’ trust and support through connectivity, consistency, dedication and loyalty.”
The staff at Audio Ink Radio sends our condolences go out to the families and friends of Shapiro and the others killed in this deadly plane crash.
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