We look back on the life of one of British Music’s most influential and important figures, following on from his funeral in March.
The music world was shaken to its core and millions around the world were saddened to learn that, on 4th March 2019, The Prodigy’s iconic frontman, Keith Flint, reportedly took his own life.
Schools were closed as fans of The Prodigy lined the streets of Essex on 29th March to celebrate the life of the beating heart of techno music and the man that propelled dance music and rave culture into the mainstream.
After a difficult childhood, with separated parents, Flint was expelled from school aged 15. He then took up roofing and embraced the growing acid house culture of the ‘80s with open arms. It was around this time that ‘Keef’ met DJ Liam Howlett at a nightclub in Essex. After exchanging demo tapes, Flint proposed that Liam should be playing his music on a stage and that he and his friend, Leeroy Thornhill, would dance along to them. Shortly after, the trio added MC Maxim Reality, and The Prodigy was born.
In 1996, not long before the group released their third studio album, Keith was promoted from dancer to be the frontman, after performing lead vocals on ‘Firestarter’. This carried on throughout the remainder of the band’s career, with Flint taking lead vocals on many of their hits – namely, ‘Breathe’, ‘Serial Thrilla’ and ‘Fuel My Fire’. Flint also experimented with solo projects later in his career, none of which, however, hit the heights that The Prodigy hit.
During the service, humorous and saddening stories of the singer’s life were told to those in attendance, predominantly friends and family. While outside, the mood swung between moments of grief and sadness and moments of pure elation and chaotic rave that Keith would have surely condoned for his send-off. Adoring fans flocked from central Europe and even as far reached as Australia to say a final goodbye to the techno talisman.
Flowers were laid outside the church, and The Prodigy have since come forward to thank fans for their overwhelming support for ‘our brother Keef’, with Liam Howlett claiming they “did him proud, much love and respect”.
Outside of music, Flint was a keen motorcyclist, riding 1,500 miles in 2007 to attend the Spanish Motorcycle Grand Prix. He also rode in a motorcycle club with saxophonist, Lee Thompson, of the band Madness. Later founding his own racing team, Team Traction Control.
The band, who were due in the US in May, as part of their world tour for latest album ‘No Tourists’, have cancelled all upcoming shows; one of which has been confirmed by organiser, Emily Eavis, to be the UK’s legendary Glastonbury Festival.
Listen to the greatest tracks from The Prodigy in this playlist.
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Soundz Magazine 