Shapiro was the agent for Parkway Drive, Sum 41, Story Of The Year, and many other bands.
Dave Shapiro, Daniel Williams (Credit: CreativeLive on YouTube, Supplied)
Renowned music agent and co-owner of Sound Talent Group, Dave Shapiro, and ex-The Devil Wears Prada drummer Daniel Williams passed away in a plane crash on Thursday (22 May), multiple reports have said.
The Associated Press reports that two people died in the plane crash, but the total number of fatalities is currently unknown. Six people were on board the plane.
Shapiro and Williams were reportedly in a private jet that crashed into US Navy-owned housing in San Diego in foggy conditions. The plane crash destroyed at least one home and damaged ten others. Numerous parked cars were also destroyed.
San Diego police officer Anthony Carrasco added that five people were taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation, and two others were treated on-site with minor injuries, per Brooklyn Vegan.
While Shapiro was also a pilot, he booked many bands in the heavy music scene, including Parkway Drive, Sum 41, I Prevail, Story Of The Year, Pierce The Veil, Silverstein, August Burns Red, Circa Survive, Drug Church, and stacks more.
Shapiro, Tim Borror and Matt Anderson launched Sound Talent Group in 2018. Shapiro also operated the Velocity Records label, working with a roster including Thursday, Craig Owens, and Concrete Castles.
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A spokesperson for Sound Talent Group told Billboard, “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.”
Thursday wrote on Instagram, “There are no words to describe the loss we feel today at the passing of our friend Dave Shapiro. We have always prided ourselves on working with people who inspire us to do better. The type of people who despite achieving success never forgot the scenes and the communities they came from. People who chase their dreams and realize them. Dave was the epitome of this.
“When Dave, Tim and Matt formed Sound Talent Agency and asked if we wanted to move over with them, we never thought twice. We trusted Dave with our music, and we are pretty sure Thursday wouldn’t exist today were it not for Dave’s assistance. We remember Dave with love, and our hearts ache for Julia and the entire STG family today. Wherever you are, Dave, may you have blue skies and tailwinds.”
Williams was the drummer of The Devil Wears Prada from 2005 until 2016. Before the crash, Williams shared photos of the plane and from inside the cockpit on his Instagram Stories.
The band said of the tragic news, “No words. We owe you everything. Love you forever.”
The Music sends condolences to the families and friends of Dave and Daniel and thoughts to all affected by the crash.
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