R.I.P. Steve Albini

[Ian Jane Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close Ian Jane]

He's passed away from a heart attack way too young at 61.

"Steve Albini, an icon of indie rock as both a producer and performer, has died of a heart attack, staff at his recording studio, Electric Audio, confirm to Pitchfork. As well as fronting underground rock lynchpins including Shellac and Big Black, Albini was a legend of the recording studio, though he preferred the term “engineer” to “producer.” He recorded Nirvana’s In Utero, Pixies’ Surfer Rosa, PJ Harvey’s Rid of Me, and countless more classic albums, and remained an outspoken critic of exploitative music industry practices until his final years. Shellac were preparing to tour their first album in a decade, To All Trains, which is scheduled for release next week. Steve Albini was 61 years old."

More here:

https://pitchfork.com/news/steve-alb...nd-dies-at-61/

[Vincent Dawn Jr Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Vincent Dawn Jr]

Wow......this is a shock. I agree Ian, 61 is way too young. Scary.

[BW Haggar Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close BW Haggar]

Jesus Christ.

Still filed in my brain under, "you're fucking kidding, right?"

Will take a couple of days to sink in... though it's been a while since I actually threw one of his bands' albums on, he's been a pretty central figure in my musical universe since day # 1.

Of all the various ways in which people can leave us, this "sudden heart failure of otherwise healthy individual" shit is hard to deal with.

[agent999 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close agent999]

Sad news. So much integrity, he could have cashed in on a lot of big acts if he didn't waive his producer royalties.

[BW Haggar Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close BW Haggar]

Sad news. So much integrity, he could have cashed in on a lot of big acts if he didn't waive his producer royalties.

Yeah, absolutely - and, given his legendary status, his policy of recording any unknown band who called him up for a standard fee, so long as he liked the sound of 'em and had room in his calendar, was hugely commendable.

Going through my CD & record collection, there are so many unexpected / little known / forgotten acts with a "recorded by Steve Albini" credit on the back of their album...

[Ian Jane Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close Ian Jane]

Sad news. So much integrity, he could have cashed in on a lot of big acts if he didn't waive his producer royalties.

He'd have made millions on In Utero alone.

[Vincent Dawn Jr Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Vincent Dawn Jr]

Jesus Christ.

Still filed in my brain under, "you're fucking kidding, right?"

Will take a couple of days to sink in... though it's been a while since I actually threw one of his bands' albums on, he's been a pretty central figure in my musical universe since day # 1.

Of all the various ways in which people can leave us, this "sudden heart failure of otherwise healthy individual" shit is hard to deal with.

When I was 20, I had a close family member pass away unexpectedly due to a heart attack at age 49. He was relatively healthy, meaning he hadn't had any illness or hospital stays, but also didn't monitor his diet & exercise all that well. It really rocked my worldview and had lasting (negative) implications on our entire family.

[Matt H. Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Matt H.]

^ I just lost my brother two weeks ago at the same age, also a heart attack.

Atomizer is one of my favourite albums and "Bazooka Joe" could be my favourite song ever. I love Albini's work with The Breeders, particularly the underrated Title TK.

[Scott Intellectual Carrot Find all posts View Profile Close Scott]

I'm sorry about your brother, Matt, my condolences.

[Matt H. Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Matt H.]

I'm sorry about your brother, Matt, my condolences.

Thanks man.

[Vincent Dawn Jr Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Vincent Dawn Jr]

^ I just lost my brother two weeks ago at the same age, also a heart attack.

Atomizer is one of my favourite albums and "Bazooka Joe" could be my favourite song ever. I love Albini's work with The Breeders, particularly the underrated Title TK.

My condolences as well.

And I agree Title TK is killer. I got to see the Breeders live around the time they were working on that album.