Steve Albini has passed away at the age of 61.
An acclaimed musician responsible for some of the most revered albums in the American alternative music scene has died after suffering a heart attack in a recording studio.
Staff at the studio Electrical Audio confirmed to Pitchfork that Albini passed away on Tuesday (07.05.24).
The late musician fronted bands such as Big Black, Rapeman and Shellac, and also produced albums by Nirvana, Pixies, PJ Harvey, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant.
Albini was heavily influenced by the punk movement in his youth and eventually founded his own music project called Big Black. Initially as a solo act, it eventually became a quartet.
The group released their debut album Atomizer in 1986 and is now recognized as one of the most influential punk groups of their era.
Nevertheless, the group disbanded and in 1987 Albini formed a new band called Rapeman.
Albini then formed Shellac in 1992 with drummer Todd Trainor and bassist Bob Weston. They have released five albums together, and in fact, the group is scheduled to release their latest record, “To All Trains,” next week.
In 1995, Albini opened his own recording studio and worked with notable artists such as Joanna Newsome, Lowe, John Spencer Blues Explosion, Manic Street Preachers, and Jarvis Cocker.
Apart from the music scene, Albini also achieved great success as a poker player, winning two coveted bracelets and hundreds of thousands of dollars in prize money at the World Series of Poker tournament.
Mr. Albini is survived by his wife, director Heather Wina;