Chicago honors the legacy of legendary musician and producer Steve Albini by naming a street after him. An ordinance passed by Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa will officially designate the 2600-2700 block of West Belmont Avenue in Avondale, situated between North Rockwell Avenue and North California Avenue, as “Steve Albini Way.” This area is home to his iconic recording studio, Electrical Audio, a place he helped build with his own hands.
Although Steve Albini was born in Pasadena, California, and raised in Missoula, Montana, he became an integral part of Chicago’s music landscape after moving to the city to attend Northwestern University. He remained a Chicago resident until his passing, contributing to the vibrant local scene.
Albini, who passed away from a heart attack on May 7 at the age of 61, was not only the frontman of influential rock bands Shellac and Big Black but also a renowned recording engineer. He famously recorded Nirvana’s In Utero, the Pixies’ Surfer Rosa, and PJ Harvey’s Rid of Me, cementing his status as a titan in the music industry. His final work with Shellac was the album To All Trains, which was set for release and a subsequent tour in late May prior to his untimely death.
Beyond his extensive musical contributions, Albini was respected for his unwavering principles and vocal criticism of exploitative practices within the music industry. Additionally, he was an accomplished poker player, having earned two World Series of Poker gold bracelets.
