Rare Gold Album Plaque for PJ Harvey's 'Rid of Me,' Produced by Steve Albini, Goes Up for Auction
A unique gold album plaque, presented by the British Phonographic Industry to Steve Albini in recognition of his significant contribution to PJ Harvey's seminal 1993 album, 'Rid of Me,' is currently up for auction. This prestigious award, which signifies sales exceeding 60,000 units within the United Kingdom, is anticipated to fetch a minimum bid of $2,200 on the dedicated website, 'Steve Albini's Closet.' This online auction platform was established following the recent passing of the highly respected musician and audio engineer.
The auction listing candidly notes the plaque's condition, stating, 'While generally in excellent shape, the upper left corner of the glass has sustained a crack for several years.' Potential buyers are offered the choice to either have the damage repaired by the seller or undertake the restoration themselves, or simply appreciate the piece in its current state. The listing does not provide details regarding how or when the damage occurred over the past three decades. The opportunity to acquire this piece of music history will close on Thursday.
PJ Harvey reportedly chose Albini for her second album, then the work of a trio, after being profoundly impressed by his distinctive production on records by bands such as the Jesus Lizard and the Breeders. She once shared with Vox that these albums possessed a raw, vibrant, and authentic quality, giving the impression of a live performance unmarred by excessive studio processing—a sound she aimed to capture. 'Rid of Me' subsequently became a global success for PJ Harvey, propelled by popular singles like '50ft Queenie' and 'Man-Size,' both of which received considerable airplay on MTV. Despite not achieving a similar sales award in the United States, the album did reach position 158 on the Billboard 200 chart. Notably, Kurt Cobain, who would collaborate with Albini on Nirvana's 'In Utero' in the same year 'Rid of Me' was released, was an outspoken admirer of the album.
Following Albini's passing in 2024, Harvey publicly acknowledged his profound impact, issuing a statement that he had 'altered the trajectory of her life.' She also dedicated her song, 'The Desperate Kingdom of Love' (a track not featured on 'Rid of Me'), to him during her performance at the Primavera festival that year. Harvey expressed in an interview with Rolling Stone in 2024 how Albini significantly bolstered her self-assurance. His unwavering belief in her music and artistic integrity profoundly increased her confidence. She lauded him as a wise and forthright individual from whom she gained invaluable insights into both life and music, emphasizing that his greatest contribution was empowering her self-belief and conviction in her own artistry.