Rave culture has lost its most iconic characters and souls…
It has been reported that The Prodigy’s larger than life frontman Keith Flint was found dead in his Essex home this morning by police after concerns were made for his welfare. The band’s lynchpin Liam Howlett posted this morning on Instagram that Keith had tragically taken his own life.
Keith’s role in The Prodigy was absolutely pivotal to the band’s meteoric success when he developed from dancer to singer and wild, sometimes demonic front man. If Liam Howlett’s incredible production was the vehicle for the band, a tank ploughing through mainstream culture, Keith was the driver; the gung-ho zero-fuck-free captain firing off cannons in all directions. A true punk at heart, he gave the band a focus, a voice and an energy that has yet to be matched by any of their peers… And quite possibly never will be. It’s no coincidence that the band’s two biggest number one hits were fronted by him.
Never outnumbered, never outgunned, blatantly one of the coolest Keiths to ever walk the planet; Flint’s voice, attitude and energy were one of the biggest accelerants in switching every generation into ravers since 1990… And were stronger than they had been in over 10 years with the band’s new album No Tourists. Released last last November and backed by an incendiary live show, Keith, aged only 49, seemed like he was still at the height of his powers which makes today’s news even more shocking, gutting and genuinely upsetting. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.
Keith Flint, rest in peace.