Legendary Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page took to Instagram Friday (May 10) to pay tribute to Steve Albini, writing he "had a strong connection" to the noted indie-rock engineer.
Although Albini was primarily known for his work with such alternative rock favorites as Nirvana, The Pixies and PJ Harvey, he also worked with a few classic rock acts, including Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, as well as Cheap Trick. He died on Wednesday (May 8) of a heart attack, at Electrical Audio, his Chicago recording studio, according to one of the studio's engineers. He was 61.
"I was very sad to hear of Steve Albini's passing this week. Robert and I worked with him in 1997 on our album Walking into Clarksdale - a record I'm still really proud of."
"I had a strong connection with Steve, we all did on that album, and he came with such pedigree and experience as one of the world's leading mixers and audio engineers," Page continued. "He loved working with analogue tape, in fact his own band was called Shellac. He was so passionate and knowledgeable, really dedicated to the cause during our recording sessions at RAK and EMI Number Two Studio at Abbey Road."
"Steve had worked with Nirvana on their third album and also with the likes of Pixies and Bush. He had an impressive CV and leaves a real legacy. RIP, Steve."
As page mentioned, Albini was behind the board for Walking Into Clarksdale, the first - and only - post-Zeppelin studio effort by the Zeppelin mainstays, following their No Quarter live unplugged album, officially subtitled Jimmy Page and Robert Plant Unledded. Albini was credited with recording and mixing the album.
In a comment to Page's post, Stephen O'Malley shared more information about Albini's work ethic and artistic choices.
"Thanks Jimmy for this post. Steve flew to Seattle immediately after his sessions with you and Robert, and recorded the first album of my underground metal band Burning Witch... A testament to how cool and open-minded Steve was the diversity and acceptance and curiosity of music and support of all of us to sound our greatest," he wrote. "Rest in peace Steve."
Last week Page paid tribute to guitar legend Duane Eddy after he got news of his passing.
