Chicago renames street “Steve Albini Way”
Steve Albini, who died in May, would’ve turned 62 on July 22, and in his honor there were special #ThankYouSteveAlbini celebrations and events happening through that weekend. In NYC, East Village restaurant Superiority Burger changed their sign to “Thank You Steve Albini.”
In Steve’s hometown of Chicago there was also Steve Albini: The Gathering, a four-day celebration at the Illinois Beach Hotel starting on Friday (7/26) and featuring friends, family and fellow musicians with a mix of readings, remembrances and live performances, including Steve’s wife Heather Whinna, Fred Armisen, David Pajo, Rachel Grimes, Shannon Lay, Tim Kinsella, Chris Fuller, Silkworm, Scrawl, Nina Nastasia, The Breeders, Ty Segall, and more. It was private affair, just those who knew and loved him, but it was live-streamed and some of the days are still available to watch (but not currently Day 2).
Via Exclaim!, they announced during The Gathering on Sunday that the 2600-2700 block of Belmont Avenue that goes by Albini’s Electrical Audio studio would be renamed Steve Albini Way. You can see the official ordinance via Touch & Go Records, below.
Today, for the final day of The Gathering, three representatives from the office of Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa were on hand to read an honorary resolution which was officially adopted by Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson on July 17. You can watch that here.