Watch Kim Deal speak, and Jeff Tweedy perform as Steve Albini Way unveiled In Chicago

A street in Chicago renamed Steve Albini Way has officially been unveiled, in a ceremony that saw guest appearances by Kim Deal and Jeff Tweedy. Check out footage below.

Albini tragically passed on May 7 this year following a heart attack. He played in numerous bands signed to Touch and Go Records, including Big Black, who signed with the label in the mid-’80s.

It was announced back in July that the label had received an official letter of ordinance by the city council of Chicago, confirming that honorary street name signs were being installed along the 2600-2700 block of West Belmont Avenue – it would be renamed to celebrate the iconic producer and engineer.

The 2600-2700 block of West Belmont Avenue was carefully selected as the late Albini’s iconic Electrical Audio studio sits in that stretch of buildings. It was made official on Monday (November 25), when Steve Albini Way was officially unveiled, and a celebration was held on the street.

The ceremony featured an appearance from Deal, who recalled what it was like to know and work alongside Albini.

“He was a flawed human; he would contradict himself in two sentences. But at his core he understood the value of each person. Well, not each person. If you were a bully, he wouldn’t like you at all. Maybe he stuck up for people too hard,” she began (via Brooklyn Vegan).

“He wanted to stick up for the underdogs… he really didn’t like ‘winners.’ I think he liked people with a good, healthy dose of low self-esteem,” she added. “I think he thought that the music business was exciting, and I don’t think he’d like that I said that.”

Later, Wilco‘s Jeff Tweedy took to the stage with Mekons’ Jon Langford and Sally Timms, as well as Fred Armisen, for performances of Gang Of Four’s ‘Armalite Rifle’ and ‘Anthrax’. They also covered two Mekons’ songs: ‘Now We Have The Bomb’ and ‘Where Were You?’.

Check out footage from the event above.

In July, a number of musicians paid tribute to Albini on what would have been his 62nd birthday. Musicians who paid tribute included PJ Harvey, Mogwai, Shellac‘s Todd Trainer and more.

Before then, Albini – who was the mastermind behind iconic albums such as Nirvana‘s ‘In Utero‘ and Manic Street Preachers‘ ‘Journal For Plague Lovers’ – was honoured in a speech by PJ Harvey during her Primavera Sound 2024 set. The festival also named a stage after Albini in his honour.

A statement from Primavera read at the time: “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.

“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.”

The post Watch Kim Deal speak, and Jeff Tweedy perform as Steve Albini Way unveiled In Chicago appeared first on NME.

Watch Kim Deal speak, and Jeff Tweedy perform as Steve Albini Way unveiled In Chicago

Watch Kim Deal speak, and Jeff Tweedy perform as Steve Albini Way unveiled In Chicago

Watch Kim Deal speak, and Jeff Tweedy perform as Steve Albini Way unveiled In Chicago

Watch Kim Deal speak, and Jeff Tweedy perform as Steve Albini Way unveiled In Chicago

Watch Kim Deal speak, and Jeff Tweedy perform as Steve Albini Way unveiled In Chicago