The Prodigy frontman Keith Flint has died, aged 49. It has emerged that the vocalist took his own life.
The frontman was found dead at his home in Essex today (Monday March 4).
“It is with deepest shock and sadness that we can confirm the death of our brother and best friend Keith Flint,” said the surviving Prodigy members Liam Howlett and Maxim Reality in a statement. “A true pioneer, innovator and legend. He will be forever missed. We thank you for respecting the privacy of all concerned at this time.”
In an Instagram post, Howlett added: “The news is true. I can’t believe I’m saying this but our brother Keith took his own life over the weekend.
“I’m shell shocked, fuckin angry, confused and heart broken.”
- The NME Obituary: Keith Flint, 1969-2019: the twisted face of rave, the beating heart of The Prodigy
Speaking to NME, an Essex Police spokesperson said: “We were called to concerns for the welfare of a man at an address in Brook Hill, North End, just after 8.10am on Monday,March 4. We attended and, sadly, a 49-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene.
His next of kin have been informed.
“The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner.”
An East of England Ambulance spokeswoman said: “We were called at 8.08am with reports of a man who was unconscious in Brook Hill, Dunmow.
“We sent an ambulance officer, Essex and Herts Air Ambulance and one ambulance. Sadly a man in his forties died at the scene.”
Fans, friends, admirers and others within the music industry have since taken online to pay tribute.
“Oh gosh, so sad to hear about Keith Flint,” wrote The Chemical Brother’s Ed Simons. “He was always great fun to be around and very kind to Tom and I when we first started doing shows together. Great man.”
Sleaford Mods, who collaborated with The Prodigy on the track ‘Ibiza’, added their tribute: “Very sorry to hear of the passing of Keith Flint. Good night mate. Take it easy.”
Enter Shikari’s Rou Reynolds wrote: “Keith Flint you bloody legend. The Prodigy were one of the first big bands we supported years ago and Keith single-handedly shattered my presumption that big stars would have an arrogance and aloofness about them. He was so welcoming, sweet and passionate.”
Gail Porter, who dated Flint between 1999 and 2000, said she was “heartbroken” after his death was confirmed.
Heartbroken
— Gail Porter (@Gailporter) March 4, 2019
XL Records’ boss Richard Russell, who released the band’s first four albums, said that Flint was “not just a great performer,” but had “total integrity and an incredible sense of humour”.
“One of the sweetest people I’ve ever worked with,” Russell continued. “What a beautiful energy. What a gentleman. Privileged to have known him.”
Suede bassist Matt Osman added: “RIP Keith Flint. We played a LOT of festivals with them in the 90s and i always loved the moment when this quiet, chatty guy from backstage stepped out onto the stage and just transformed into this kind of monstrous ringmaster.
“And, if you WERE playing a festival with The Prodigy, fuck, you had to bring your A game…”
Oh gosh, so sad to hear about Keith Flint, he was always great fun to be around and very kind to Tom and I when we first started doing shows together..great man.
— ed simons (@eddychemical) March 4, 2019
Very sorry to hear of the passing of Keith Flint. Good night mate. Take it easy. ❤️
— Sleaford Mods (@sleafordmods) March 4, 2019
RIP the incomparable Keith Flint. A true icon in every way. Thank you for the inspiration, music and friendship.
— Foo Fighters (@foofighters) March 4, 2019
devastated keith flint is gone. not just a great performer.
he had total integrity & an incredible sense of humour.
one of the sweetest people I’ve ever worked with.
what a beautiful energy. what a gentleman. privileged to have known him. miss u keith— Richard Russell (@loppylugsOG) March 4, 2019
Keith Flint, beautiful man, incredible pioneer. Remembering the special times we had together making Empire. Heartbroken. Rest in Peace Brother. X
— KasabianHQ (@KasabianHQ) March 4, 2019
argh.
Keith Flint you bloody legend.
The Prodigy were one of the first big bands we supported years ago and Keith single-handedly shattered my presumption that big stars would have an arrogance and aloofness about them. He was so welcoming, sweet and passionate. ?
— ʀ⎊ᴜ ʀᴇʏɴ⎊ (@RouReynolds) March 4, 2019
R.I.P KEITH FLINT a beautiful human.
— Ian Brown (@ianbrown) March 4, 2019
Long Live Keith Flint. pic.twitter.com/irZLRaykOH
— XL Recordings (@XLRECORDINGS) March 4, 2019
Im not really sure what to say. I’m shocked and so sad. You were gifted, charming and charismatic. So kind and welcoming whenever we spent time. I’ll never forget the incredible moments I got to spend with you and the boys. I’m sending you all love and respect. Keith Flint RIP.
— Zane Lowe (@zanelowe) March 4, 2019
Goodbye Keith. Tragic news. He was a punk with a real sweet spirit. He will be missed by so many x x pic.twitter.com/aKf5ZmHd1O
— Tim Burgess (@Tim_Burgess) March 4, 2019
And, if you WERE playing a festival with The Prodigy, fuck, you had to bring your A game…
— Mat Osman (@matosman) March 4, 2019
RIP Keith. Burn bright up there. X
— Paul Arthurs. (@BoneheadsPage) March 4, 2019
Oh this is sad news. The death of Keith Flint. Whenever our paths crossed he was an absolute sweetheart. Really lovely. Incredible iconic frontman with a soft centre. ?#RIPKeithFlint
— Jo Whiley (@jowhiley) March 4, 2019
Absolutely devastated to hear the tragic news that the legend Keith Flint from @the_prodigy has passed away. Our thoughts & condolences are with all his friends and family. We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Keith and the life changing music they made and championed. RIP ?
— Chase & Status (@chaseandstatus) March 4, 2019
RIP Keith Flint. Very sad to hear the news that he’s passed away. I wouldn’t do what I do without him and The Prodigy in my life. A huge inspiration to me and many others ? pic.twitter.com/gXb8cHJGbW
— Friction (@friction) March 4, 2019
Lost for words…RIP Keith Flint ?
— Andy C (@ANDYC_ram) March 4, 2019
So sad about Keith Flint. Lovely guy and one of a handful of pop stars every generation that made parents go 'WHAT THE FUCK IS HAPPENING?'
— John Niven HQ (@estellecostanza) March 4, 2019
R.I.P Keith Flint. One of the best live performers and shows I’ve ever seen. Forever an inspiration.
— Theo Ellis (@SteadyTheo) March 4, 2019
Keith Flint – What an absolute supernova of a man. Totally devastated to lose one of the brightest most explosive figureheads of electronic music. We've lost a big part of our world.
On the occasions I was lucky enough to meet him he was a kind and gentle bloke with a big heart. pic.twitter.com/LzmRGI2Ee7
— Andi Durrant (@AndiDurrant) March 4, 2019
At the Q Awards years ago, when @NoelGallagher was saying he was leaving Ibiza because I’d moved there, and @DamonAlbarn refused to be in the same picture as me, and @PaulWellerHQ was saying he’d rather eat his own shit than work with me, Keith Flint came over, gave me a hug, and
— James Blunt (@JamesBlunt) March 4, 2019
said how thrilled he was for my success.
Keith, I only met you once, but I shed a tear at the news of your death. In our business, there are no prizes for being kind, but if there was, that Grammy would be yours.
— James Blunt (@JamesBlunt) March 4, 2019
Born 17 September 1969, Flint joined The Prodigy in 1990 – before they found fame and acclaim for their pioneering approach, genre-clash sound, blistering live shows and dark lyrics on 1992 debut ‘Experience’ and the 1994 Number One album ‘Music For The Jilted Generation’. He lent vocals to their first Number One singles ‘Firestarter’ and ‘Breathe’ from 1997’s ‘Fat Of The Land’, which has sold 10million copies to date.
Their last album was the acclaimed ‘No Tourists‘ in 2018.
“This is a brilliant – and brilliantly brutal – collection; pulsing dance music that, for all its heaviness and techno sensibilities, retains a glimmer of pop accessibility because it’s so well pieced together and just so much fucking fun,” wrote NME in a five star review. “Viva The Prodigy.”
This is a developing story.
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