Dave Shapiro, a groundbreaking music executive in the heavy metal and hard rock scene, was one of those killed in the Murphy Canyon plane crash early Thursday. He was 42.

Music executive Dave Shapiro poses for a portrait on Dec. 3, 2024, in Nashville. (Stephanie Siau/Sound Talent Group via AP) Shapiro was a strong advocate for independent musicians and a co-founder of ...

Music executive Dave Shapiro poses for a portrait on Dec. 3, 2024, in Nashville. These artists reached a kind of apex in the 2000s and 2010s.

Shapiro helped bring the underground $10-a-show alternative scene in the 2010s to the mainstream. But he also was huge in creating a community, said Mike Shea, founder of “Alternative Press.” ...

Music executive Dave Shapiro poses for a portrait on Dec. 3, 2024, in Nashville. (Stephanie Siau/Sound Talent Group via AP) Shapiro was a strong advocate for independent musicians and a co-founder ...

Music executive Dave Shapiro poses for a portrait on Dec. 3, 2024, in Nashville. (Stephanie Siau/Sound Talent Group via AP) Shapiro was a strong advocate for independent musicians and a co-founder ...

Music executive Dave Shapiro poses for a portrait on Dec. 3, 2024, in Nashville. (Stephanie Siau/Sound Talent Group via AP) Shapiro was a strong advocate for independent musicians and a co-founder ...

Music executive Dave Shapiro poses for a portrait on Dec. 3, 2024, in Nashville. (Stephanie Siau/Sound Talent Group via AP) Shapiro was a strong advocate for independent musicians and a co-founder ...

During their last conversation, Shapiro had flown out in his new plane to see Sum 41’s induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in March. He promised Whibley to be back.