Producer Steve Albini dead at 61

Steve Albini, the legendary record producer behind Nirvana’s In Utero, Pixies’ Surfer Rosa, and countless other classic albums, has died of a heart attack. He was 61 years old.

Beginning his musical career in 1981 with the band Big Black, Albini later began producing records. In 1988, he made a name for himself producing Pixies’ debut full-length, Surfer Rosa. He later worked on The Breeder’s POD. His work on both albums caught the attention of Kurt Cobain, who asked him to produce Nirvana’s final album, In Utero.

Pixies, Kennyhoopla, and more paid their respects to the alternative legend.

RIP Steve Albini pic.twitter.com/qQjEQla0mF

— PIXIES (@PIXIES) May 8, 2024

Ugh man, a heartbreaking loss of a legend. Love to his family and innumerable colleagues.
Farewell, Steve Albini. pic.twitter.com/xVY27cmdbU

— Elijah Wood (@elijahwood) May 8, 2024

Rip Steve Albini //

— raised by wolves// (@KennyHoopla) May 8, 2024

RIP to Steve Albini, a wizard who would hate being called a wizard, but who surely made magic.

Here's the Electric Audio layout for 'Magnolia Electric Co', just sketched out simply, on paper, like it's not poised to shift time and space and all our hearts. pic.twitter.com/u1PRGrpi2M

— Secretly Canadian (@secretlycndian) May 8, 2024

I'm saddened to learn of the death of Steve Albini. Like so many, I loved his firebreathing Big Black records as a teenager. I met him briefly at Jason Noble's memorial service and found him to be a kind and thoughtful person. My thoughts go out to his friends and family.

— DREW DANIEL (@DDDrewDaniel) May 8, 2024

Steve was such a good, caring, and funny guy. I will always treasure the night in ‘99 when he took me to Second City to see a show. I walked into the Electrical kitchen at the agreed upon departure time and he looked at my head, smiled and said, “Your hair is peak Mellencamp.” ??

— Jon Wurster (@jonwurster) May 8, 2024

steve was so generous and good to me when i was young and new. i have so much to say but it’s gonna take a sec, i’m just tremendously sad. gawd i loved that guy.

— chris walla (@calculizer) May 8, 2024

gutted…
rock was changed forever
the way we record was changed forever https://t.co/GCQpvPnPj0

— illuminati hotties (@illuminatihotts) May 8, 2024

grateful to have seen steve albini play, to have my taste in music shaped by the incredible records he performed & engineered, & for his thoughts on recording and its business, which changed my worldview. getting to meet him & check out electrical was a top 10 moment for me. RIP

— speedy ortiz ÷ sad13 ÷ sadie dupuis ÷ haunted guy (@sad13) May 8, 2024

steve touched countless lives and changed mine and many others for the better. a genuine, singular, principled person. spent the last 40 years helping people make art. there's no reason for him to be gone and the world is less interesting without him. just a really sad day.

— Cloud Nothings (@cloudnothings) May 8, 2024