Dave Shapiro, a pioneering figure in the realm of heavy metal and hard rock music, tragically lost his life in a plane crash in San Diego at the age of 42. Shapiro, who was a licensed pilot and the registered owner of the aircraft, was onboard when it went down. His company, Sound Talent Group, confirmed his untimely death in the crash, which also claimed the lives of two employees.
In their grief, the company expressed, “We are devastated by the loss of our co-founder, colleagues, and friends.”
Shapiro was a significant force in the music industry, having co-founded Sound Talent Group in 2018 alongside Tim Borror and Matt Andersen. This agency represented bands that dominated the alternative music scene, including genres like pop-punk, metalcore, and post-hardcore. Their client list boasted names such as Hanson, Pierce The Veil, Parkway Drive, Sum 41, and Vanessa Carlton.
A staunch supporter of independent artists, Shapiro was also a co-founder of the National Independent Talent Organization. His innovative contributions were recognized when Billboard included him in their 2012 “30 Under 30” list, highlighting promising talents in entertainment. His efforts assisted several independent bands in crossing over into mainstream success, altering the landscape for indie agencies.
“Finding something you love to do is only going to make you do a better job because you actually care. You’re not just showing up for the paycheck, it’s not a 9-to-5,” Shapiro shared on a music industry podcast in 2021. “This is part of living your life if you really love it.”
Born and raised in upstate New York, Shapiro was influenced by the “straightedge hard-core” scene, a movement promoting a lifestyle free from drugs and alcohol. His musical journey began in high school when he and friends formed a band, eventually leading to a contract with Victory Records just after graduation. Touring provided Shapiro with valuable industry connections, guiding his transition from performer to music executive.
His fascination with flying began when he took a beginner’s flight at 22. He developed a deep-seated passion for aviation, which paralleled his love for music. At one point, he even established an office for his talent agency within a hangar in San Diego. Shapiro often described flying as a centering force, saying in a 2020 podcast, “Flying helps me focus and helps me not be distracted by all the nonsense in the world, and whatever’s going on outside the plane kind of doesn’t matter in those moments.”
Notably, Shapiro owned both a flight school, Velocity Aviation, and a record label, Velocity Records. He provided flying experiences in San Diego and Homer, Alaska, where he and his wife, Julia Pawlik Shapiro, maintained a residence.
The couple wed in 2016 in Talkeetna, Alaska, celebrating with an adventurous flight to a glacier in Denali National Park. “When I met Dave, we became instantly bonded over the unconventional lifestyles we lead and our constant need for adventure,” Julia wrote in a blog entry.
In 2019, Shapiro announced attaining his airline transport pilot rating, the pinnacle of pilot certification in the U.S., on Instagram, stating, “Although I have a career and don’t plan to change that I always want to learn more and be a better pilot.” His adventurous spirit was evident as he also indulged in adrenaline-fueled activities like base-jumping.
Tributes flowed from musicians and industry colleagues alike, describing Shapiro as warm, genuine, and pivotal in helping lesser-known bands achieve recognition. “He would listen to any band you put in front of him to give them a chance,” said Dayna Ghiraldi-Travers of Big Picture Media, who collaborated with Shapiro for over 15 years.
Longtime clients, such as the band Pierce the Veil, reminisced about their enduring relationship with Shapiro. “We even lived at Dave’s house between tours when we needed a place to stay, not just because we were broke, but because we just loved being around each other,” they shared on social media.
Former I Set My Friends on Fire guitarist Nate Blasdell expressed being “absolutely heartbroken,” reflecting on Shapiro’s instrumental role in his early music career. Deryck Whibley, lead singer of Sum 41, credited Shapiro with rejuvenating the band during challenging times and often sought his counsel.
In a poignant recollection, Whibley shared that during their last meeting, Shapiro had flown out in a new plane to celebrate Sum 41’s induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. Shapiro had promised Whibley that he and his wife would return to whisk them away on another flying adventure.