Ex-The Devil Wears Prada Drummer Daniel Williams, Sound Talent Group Owner Dave Shapiro Killed in Plane Crash
Earlier today, news of a plane crash in the San Diego, California area barely registered in the music world, but all that changed now that we’ve since learned that former The Devil Wears Prada drummer Daniel Williams and Sound Talent Group (STG) owner Dave Shapiro were among the individuals killed in the accident. WIlliams was 39 and Shapiro was 42.
For those that haven’t kept up with the news, according to Fox 5 San Diego, a 1985 Cessna 550 was headed to Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport when it fell out of the sky and crashed into multiple homes and vehicles in a military housing neighborhood. The crash set multiple homes ablaze as debris and jet fuel littered the area. Approximately 15 residences were affected by the firey crash, forcing about 100 residents to evacuate their homes in the early morning hours.
Though no deaths were reported among people on the ground, officials have confirmed that Shapiro, Williams, two STG employees, and other individuals were killed in the crash. Officials claim there were no survivors among those in the plane.
Sound Talent Group represents a wide range of major bands, including Animals as Leaders, Beartooth, Between the Buried and Me, Black Veil Brides, Corrosion of Conformity, Devin Townsend, Down, Helmet, Hot Water Music, In This Moment, Killswitch Engage, Story of the Year, Zakk Wylde, and dozens more. In the past, Shapiro had also personally represented bands like Lamb of God, Clutch, GWAR, Opeth… the list goes on.
In a statement provided to Billboard, a spokesperson for Sound Talent Group lamented the loss of life that occurred in the crash.
“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.”
In an Instagram post on the band’s official page, The Devil Wears Prada posted images of Williams from his days with the band, posting only the caption “no words. We owe you everything. Love you forever.”
Daniels was a founding member of the band, having been a member from 2005 to his eventual departure in 2016. In that time, he was featured on every major The Devil Wears Prada studio effort from 2006’s Dear Love: A Beautiful Discord to 2011’s Dead Throne.
We at MetalSucks offer our deepest condolences to the friends, loved ones, and colleagues of those lost in the crash.
