Chicago street renamed after Steve Albini
The American city of Chicago has honoured the influential producer Steve Albini after his passing in May by renaming a street after him. Now, West Belmont Avenue will be called Steve Albini Way.
Although Albini was born in California, he spent his youth moving from place to place with his father’s job as a wildfire researcher. It wasn’t until he ended up in Evanston, Illinois, in Chicago to attend college that he finally seemed to put down solid roots in a place.
Chicago also became the place where Albini made his name as he embedded himself within the city’s music scene and eventually began recording and producing records first for the people surrounding him and then for bigger and bigger names as his reputation grew.
In 1995, Albini bought his studio in Chicago, Electrical Audio, where many of his most influential albums were recorded. It sits at 2621 West Belmont Avenue, right on the street that will now take his name.
Touch and Go Records, a Chicago-based independent label, made the move to honour Albini. On July 29th, the label shared an official letter of ordinance by the city council confirming that honorary street name signs are being installed along the 2600-2700 block of West Belmont Avenue. The street was specifically selected to cover Albini’s studio, the centre point of his career.
After the producer and engineer passed on May 7th, 2024 from a heart attack, there have been hoards of tributes from his peers, fans and artists he worked with. Names like Dave Grohl, Joanna Newsom, PJ Harvey, Mogwai and more paid their respects.
Even Primavera Sound Festival made a major move to celebrate the producer as they named a stage at the 2024 festival after him as the producer’s band, Shellac, were a regular feature on the lineup, playing each year since 2007. “Farewell, Steve. Although it will be the first year since 2007 in which he will not command the inimitable Shellac at his annual date with his favourite festival, the figure of the late Steve Albini will be more present than ever at Primavera Sound,” they said in a statement.
“The Steve Albini stage, situated opposite the Plenitude stage, will be a tribute to an irreplaceable member of the Primavera family, although he will, in fact, be honoured in every inch of the Parc del Fòrum, during every second of the festival,” they continued.
During his career, Albini left his mark on plenty of iconic albums such as Harvey’s Rid Of Me, Nirvana’s In Utero, and the Pixies’ Debaser. The remaining of the street in Chicago is merely one small way to attempt to commemorate his immeasurable impact.
Never Miss A Beat
The Far Out Music Newsletter
All the latest music news from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.