Dave Williams

• Name — Dave Williams • Birth Name — David Wayne Williams • Alias — Stage • Born — 29 February 1972 • Birthplace — White Plains, New York, U.S. • Place of death — Manassas, Virginia, U.S. • Died — 14 August 2002 • Origin — Princeton, Texas, U.S. • Genre — * Nu metal • alternative metal • Occupation — * Singer • songwriter • Instrument — Vocals • Years Active — 1988–2002 • Label — Wind-up • Past Member Of — * Drowning Pool • Fugly

Williams grew up in Princeton, Texas, living with his parents Charles Edward and Jo-Ann Williams. He grew up in a pious family that caused him to move away from religion. Notably, he also used to wear a T-shirt that read "Worship Satan and Smoke Crack". He idolized David Lee Roth and Vince Neil for their public personas. In 1999, he joined Drowning Pool, which had formed in 1996 and had previously performed as an instrumental three-piece. The band released their debut album with Williams, Sinner, in 2001. Williams soon gained recognition for his performances with the band; his nickname "Stage" came from Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell, who gave it to him because of his known stage personality.

On August 14, 2002, Williams was found dead in the band's tour bus in Manassas, Virginia. The band was traveling with Ozzfest and set to play in nearby Bristow the next day. An autopsy established that he had died from heart failure caused by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease), which went undiagnosed until his death. A public funeral was held in Plano, Texas, on August 18, 2002, at 2:00 P.M. A DVD titled Sinema has since been released, chronicling his life. His lifelong dream was to buy his parents a house; the sales from Sinner fulfilled his dream posthumously. Williams's microphone was given to Cristian Machado from Ill Niño. They were good friends, so Drowning Pool and Williams' family gave it to Machado as a token of respect after his death.

Dave Williams is recorded as a citizen of United States. Classed in the genre alternative metal. Recorded with the occupation musician. Classed in the genre rock music. Recorded at birth as David Wayne Williams.