TRIBUTES HAVE been pouring in online for The Prodigy frontman Keith Flint following his sudden passing at the age of 49.
Flint, who founded The Prodigy alongside DJ Liam Howlett, was found dead at his home in Essex.
Howlett later confirmed that the vocalist and dancer had taken his own life.
"The news is true , I can’t believe I’m saying this but our brother Keith took his own life over the weekend," Howlett wrote 0n Instagram.
"I’m shell shocked , fuckin angry , confused and heart broken ..... r.i.p brother Liam."
The Prodigy paid tribute to the late frontman on Twitter.
"A true pioneer, innovator and legend" they wrote.
"He will be forever missed."
It is with deepest shock and sadness that we can confirm the death of our brother and best friend Keith Flint. A true pioneer, innovator and legend. He will be forever missed.
We thank you for respecting the privacy of all concerned at this time. pic.twitter.com/nQ3Ictjj7t— The Prodigy (@the_prodigy) March 4, 2019
Fellow musicians, DJs, presenters and fans alike were quick to pay tribute to Flint for his music, style and overall impact on 90s culture.
RIP Keith Flint 🙏🏼 A true dance music icon. #TheProdigy #Firestarter pic.twitter.com/kGUqdSONsd
— 𝓔𝓭 𝓞’𝓝𝓮𝓲𝓵𝓵 (@EdTheHatter) March 4, 2019
So sad to hear the news about Keith Flint. Was lucky enough to be writing about rock music at a time when The Prodigy were pulling down the barriers separating riffs and beats. They pretty much helped change everything. RIP
— Dan Silver (@dansilver_) 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
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
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
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
RIP Keith Flint... admittedly this photo only shows the top of my head and my arm, but you were a huge part of mine and Lucy’s (in the photo here with the cool tattoo) youth, so here's to you 🙏 pic.twitter.com/lO335pp9yy
— Emily Davies (@emilyempower) March 4, 2019
It’s difficult to overstate how important The Prodigy were in the 90s. They combined rock and dance and forever changed the face and the sound of popular music. They were the voice of youth, rebellion and angst. But so too of fun, silliness and pure unbridled joy.
— Will Buxton (@wbuxtonofficial) March 4, 2019
It’s difficult to explain how significant The Prodigy were in the development of my musical personality. Pre 1994 I regarded anything not guitar-based as sacrilegious. The explosive energy of their records & live performances changed me & the course of my life. RIP 🔥🙏🏻✊🏻😔
— David Butt Philip (@DavidButtPhilip) March 4, 2019
For those that don’t know it, the Prodigy were a mixed race band in the 90s with lyrics like this
What we're dealing with here is a total lack of respect for the law
I'm the law and you can't beat the law
Fuck 'em and their law
Crack down at sundown
Fuck 'em and their law https://t.co/ajM7YvunbF— Nadine Chemali نادين (@femmocollective) March 4, 2019
The Prodigy were the first rave I went to back in 'MadChester' Days and also one of the first bands my mum banned me from listening to so they will always hold a special place in my heart.
Who here hasn't almost passed out dancing to No Good (start the dance)? :) pic.twitter.com/0anKSDCY63— Sarathûn (@SarahWellock84) March 4, 2019
R.I.P. Keith Flint
watching the Firestarter music video as a kid and seeing this nutter with a reverse mohawk and nose-ring gan radge in a sewer singing about being a PUMPKIN INSTIGATOR and thinking "whatever the fuck this is, i love it" pic.twitter.com/JzFkl2SEEj— forever botchamania (@Maffewgregg) March 4, 2019
That "Firestarter" video was genius for so many reasons but perhaps the greatest was that it made children feel "my God this is absolutely terrifying...Where can I get more of it." And that was just the least of his brilliance. What an artist. #KeithFlint
— Musa Okwonga (@Okwonga) March 4, 2019
If you ever saw him live, you'll fully understand the outpouring for #KeithFlint. For 90s teenagers like me, expected to consume a pop music conveyor belt of shit, he & @the_prodigy were a blast of punk clarity, beats & zero fucks given. Very sad news but the music will live on.
— Jarlath Regan (@Jarlath) March 4, 2019
Fans also shared stories from Keith Flint's short-lived stint as the landlord and owner of a pub.
One of my favourite Keith Flint stories, from his short-lived spell as a pub landlord. #ripkeithflint pic.twitter.com/skdyoNsR94
— Richard Hancock (@CanaryWorf) March 4, 2019
Absolutely gutted to hear about Keith Flint passing, but I wanted to share a little story of him over two tweets. Several years ago, @literaryrose and I had lunch in a village pub. I was sure that a guy at the bar was Keith Flint, so I spoke to him, said I was a big fan. 1/
— Tony Lee (@mrtonylee) March 4, 2019
He thanked me but noticed Fosco, our dog. We learned that not only did he own the pub, but over our lunch he kept stealing bits of meat off other peoples plates in the kitchen to bring out to her.
He was down to earth, friendly, and incredibly kind. And he will be truly missed.— Tony Lee (@mrtonylee) March 4, 2019
He will be deeply missed 'round these parts. A lovely, sweet soul.💔
— LC 😷❤ #BlackLivesMatter (@LCkindness6) March 4, 2019
The best Keith Flint anecdote came from this woman though and the hilarious story of how she ended up giving birth with The Prodigy's Firestarter as the world's least appropriate soundtrack.
https://twitter.com/Fionamills1/status/1102556177324535818
https://twitter.com/EUisbad_innit/status/1102572196629762048
https://twitter.com/pankp007/status/1102571725957537792
One of the most striking and iconic performers of the 1990s, Flint’s music career began in the late 1980s when he met Howlett, a DJ, at a rave in Braintree.
The pair shared a mutual appreciation of dance music and, after encouraging Howlett to share and perform more of his music live, Flint team up with Howlett, serving as an MC and on-stage performer alongside his friend Leeroy Thornhill.
The Prodigy was born with Flint’s role in the group eventually evolving to help the collective become one of the biggest dance acts on the planet.
In 1996, Howlett could think of no one better to provide the vocals for their latest single Firestarter, which was co-written by Flint and went on to top the singles charts in the UK and hit no.2 in the Irish charts.
Flint’s status as the face of The Prodigy was further cemented with the release of follow-up single Breathe, which he also co-wrote, with the song topping the charts in the UK and Ireland.
The group’s subsequent album, The Fat of the Land was a commercial and critical success selling over 10 million copies worldwide and earning a Mercury Music Prize nomination.
Though Flint would continue to provide vocals on several tracks for The Prodigy, his role in the band was reduced in the years that followed, save for their memorable live performances.
His incredible music and striking on-stage persona will be fondly remembered by all.
RIP Keith. Gone but never forgotten.
