Chicago musician, engineer and indie-rock icon Steve Albini died Tuesday of an apparent heart attack. He was 61.

The big picture: Albini recorded thousands of bands, including national acts like Nirvana, the Pixies and PJ Harvey.

• He also led two Chicago indie bands, Big Black and Shellac. The latter was reportedly preparing for a tour.
• Albini's Electrical Audio is one of the premier recording studios in Chicago.

Context: Albini became a crusader for fairness and equity in the music industry, pushing back against major labels and corporations.

• Albini famously recorded Nirvana's "In Utero" album but was paid only for his engineering services rather than taking royalties.

What he said: "The music industry is a parasite," Albini wrote in a keynote speech for a music conference in 2015.

• "When I came of age as a conscious musician in the late '70s, early '80s, I wanted to be independent of the existing power structures in the music scene," Albini told WBEZ in 2012. "The whole of my personality was formed in punk rock, which was an abject rejection of capitalism that wasn't based on cooperation and collaboration."

Zoom out: Albini also was an outstanding poker player, hosting games at his studio for years.

• He was active in politics and helped produce the charity event "Letters to Santa: The 24 Hour Comedy and Music Marathon" at various venues around Christmas.

Tributes and condolences poured in after news of Steve Albini's death broke yesterday.

• We collected some thoughts from his colleagues, friends and fellow Chicagoans.

Sue Miller, former owner of the Lounge Ax, says she and husband Jeff Tweedy consider Steve and his wife, Heather Whinna, "two of our best friends. Our kids have loved him since they were babies."

• Despite his famously brusque reputation, "Steve was one of the nicest, kindest, most generous and giving people we've ever known. It's just so hard to believe. We'll miss him forever."

Jim DeRogatis, host, Sound Opinions: "Steve Albini was a singular force in underground music whose influence reached far beyond that for the last five decades."

• "As someone who thought deeply and cared passionately about independent music, he voiced an ethic that many tried — and sometimes failed — to live up to, but which was valid nonetheless. Entire books can and will be written about that."

Joe Shanahan, Metro Chicago: "It's a sad day for the world to lose someone who made such an impact. He embraced the indie spirit, and he walked the walk. He was a fan of bands, like no other."

Robbie Fulks, musician: "I met Steve in October 1986. Except for a couple people from college he was my oldest ongoing friend through life. I connected with his zeal for language, eye-poking, scientific bent, and wit. I'll very much miss the stuff that came rolling off his tongue — hilarious, scabrous, eloquent, and awful — as well as his generosity and commitment to the art of friendship."

• "There's just no one else quite like him."

Read more tributes

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Landmarks Illinois' latest list of endangered buildings includes a canned goods factory, a neoclassical theater and the Sears administration building.

Why it matters: The group argues that 10 new sites on its list represent architectural treasures and important cultural history in the state.

Zoom in: Here are three in Cook County.

1. Libby, McNeill and Libby

13636 S. Western Ave.

The company was once the second-largest producer of canned foods in the country and the economic engine for the near southwest suburb, but it's fallen into disrepair since it closed in the late '60s.

2. Portage Theater

4050 N. Milwaukee Ave.

The Art Moderne and neoclassical style theater at Six Corners has been closed since 2018 after years of opening sporadically over the previous decade.

The intrigue: The former movie house is classified as a Chicago landmark and could qualify for county and city funding for rehab.

3. Sears Administration Building

3333 W. Arthington St.

The main anchor of the Sears, Roebuck and Co. campus in North Lawndale is a national landmark. Other buildings on the campus have been turned into housing, which Landmarks Illinois suggests as an ideal path for the building.

What's next: The historic preservation agency offers suggestions for how the public can advocate for the 10 listed locations.

If you forgot to make Mother's Day brunch reservations at one of these great places, you can tell mom:

• "I didn't forget! I was just waiting for Axios Chicago's quiche list!"

Here you go:

Monica's pick: Kale and Gruyère quiche from Floriole Cafe & Bakery in Lincoln Park ($9.68 per slice, $66 whole).

• I don't know which part of this pie I love more: the rich, silky, custardy center or the devastatingly buttery laminated crust.

Carrie's pick: Broccoli and cheddar quiche ($15) from 3rd Coast Café is so fluffy and the broccoli has a nice char on it. The crust isn't too buttery, which is actually a bonus for me.

Justin's pick: Good Ambler in Fulton Market has a great quiche Lorraine ($12). I ate the salad, too.

📫 Where's your favorite quiche in the Chicago area? Let us know and we'll add them to a future newsletter!