Dave Shapiro was a respected music agent and co-founder of Sound Talent Agency (STA), a prominent agency in the music industry. He was 42 years old and tragically died in a plane crash on May 22, 2025, in San Diego, California. Shapiro was known for his work with major rock bands like Pierce the Veil, Sum 41, Story of the Year, and others. He also represented pop acts like Hanson and Vanessa Carlton, and had a strong impact on the heavy rock and independent music scenes.
Shapiro helped establish STA in 2018, bringing years of experience from his previous work at The Agency Group and United Talent Agency. His agency grew to include clients like I Prevail, Eve 6, and Parkway Drive. He was also a founding member of the National Independent Talent Organization (NITO), which supported musicians through the pandemic shutdown.
In addition to his music career, Shapiro was passionate about flying. He was a licensed pilot with over 15 years of flying experience. Tragically, he was one of six people aboard the small private jet that crashed and caught fire in Murphy Canyon, a military area in San Diego. Two other STA employees were also on board and are presumed dead.
Shapiro was married to Julia Shapiro (née Pawlik), a forensic scientist from Perth, Australia. His loss is considered monumental within the music community, as he was not just an agent but a visionary who helped shape the careers of many musicians.