Sound Talent Group Co-Founder Dave Shapiro dies in plane crash

Three employees of Sound Talent Group, including co-founder and veteran music agent Dave Shapiro, were killed in a plane crash Thursday morning in San Diego, dealing a devastating blow to the music and live entertainment industry. The private jet crashed into a military housing area in dense fog conditions, igniting multiple vehicles and prompting the evacuation of nearby homes. Authorities confirmed that several people on board were killed. Sound Talent Group confirmed the deaths in a statement Thursday afternoon: “We are devastated by the loss of our co-founder, colleagues, and friends,” a company spokesperson 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.” Shapiro was widely respected in the heavy rock and metalcore scenes. A licensed pilot and flight instructor with a passion for aviation, he co-founded Sound Talent Group in 2018 alongside Tim Borror and Matt Andersen. Under their leadership, the independent agency grew to more than 40 full-time staff and represented major acts including Pierce the Veil, Sum 41, Sleeping With Sirens, Duff McKagan, Hanson, and Memphis May Fire. Tributes poured in across social media from artists, colleagues, and friends mourning what many called the loss of a visionary in the music industry. The National Independent Talent Organization (NITO), where Shapiro was a founding member, also issued a statement: “Dave was a visionary in the music industry and a founding partner of Sound Talent Group. 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,” NITO said. “As a founding member of NITO, Dave was instrumental in the initial formation and funding of the organization and assisted countless peers during the pandemic shutdown of live music. This is a monumental loss to our community.” The identities of the two other Sound Talent Group employees on board have not yet been publicly confirmed by authorities. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.