Steve Albini Gets Chicago Street Named in His Honor

The late Steve Albini is getting a street named in his honor in Chicago, Illinois, his longtime home. Thanks to an ordinance passed by Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, the 2600-2700 block of West Belmont Avenue in Avondale, between North Rockwell Avenue and North California Avenue, will officially be declared “Steve Albini Way.” This stretch is where his legendary recording studio Electrical Audio, which Albini and staff members helped build by laying bricks during the construction process, stands.

Though he was born in Pasadena, California, and raised in Missoula, Montana, Albini has been deeply embedded in Chicago’s music scene ever since he moved there to attend Northwestern University. He lived in the city ever since, remaining in Chicago from his college years on through to his sudden death.

The producer, musician, and cultural icon died of a heart attack on May 7 at the age of 61. Albini fronted several revered rock bands, including Shellac and Big Black, and was an undisputed legend of the recording studio, though he vocalized that he preferred the term “engineer” to “producer.” Albini recorded Nirvana’s In Utero, Pixies’ Surfer Rosa, PJ Harvey’s Rid of Me, and countless other classic albums over several decades. His last album with Shellac was To All Trains, which the band was preparing to release and tour behind in late May before Albini died.

In addition to his ridiculously long resume when it comes to writing and recording music, Albini was respected for his steadfast morals and status as an outspoken critic of exploitative music industry practices. He was also a remarkable poker player with not one, but two World Series of Poker gold bracelets.