Steve Albini: Legendary indie musician and Nirvana producer dies aged 61

Preferring the term "engineer" to "producer", the US alt-rock icon helped shape iconic albums by Nirvana, Pixies and PJ Harvey, as well as touring with iconoclastic bands like Shellac and Big Black

Guitarist and vocalist Steve Albini of Shellac performs on stage during Primavera Sound 2022 on June 03, 2022 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Jim Bennett/WireImage)

An icon of American alternative rock, both on stage and at the mixing desk, Steve Albini has died.

The musician, producer and music journalist was confirmed by US music website Pitchfork to have died of a heart attack aged 61, according to staff at his recording studio, Electric Audio.