Steve Albini, a legendary music figure and a two-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner, passed away of a heart attack on Tuesday at 61.
A self-described audio engineer, Albini helped pioneer noise rock in the 1980s with bands like Big Black and Shellac and later produced some of the most important albums in alternative rock history. Music outlets including Pitchfork and Rolling Stone first reported his death, which was confirmed by Albini’s Electrical Audio Recording in Chicago.
Albini is best known for producing Nirvana’s final 1993 album In Utero and also worked with alternative artists including the Pixies, PJ Harvey, Slint, Neurosis, Low and The Breeders. Later in his career, he worked with mainstream giants like Jimmy Page and Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin.
Albini was also a passionate poker enthusiast — particularly shining in mixed games — and regularly played at the WSOP in Las Vegas.
“Everything in my life comes in pieces, in parts,” Albini told PokerNews in 2022. “Poker is one part of my life. So when I’m playing poker, I try to commit to it. I try to take it seriously. I try to make sure I devote the attention to it that it deserves as an occupation. But it’s only part of my year. I only play tournaments at the World Series of Poker. I play cash games informally in Chicago. It’s a part of my livelihood, but it’s not my profession.”
In 2018, he took down a $1,500 Stud event for $105,629 and his first bracelet, a feat he followed up on four years later with a $1,500 H.O.R.S.E. victory worth $196,089.
This story will be updated.