The Prodigy’s Keith Flint Dies At 49
• Keith Flint, the frontman of pioneering British electronic group The Prodigy, has been found dead at his home in Essex, England at the age 49, according to CNN. Flint’s bandmate, Prodigy founder Liam Howlett posted on Instagram that Flint had died by suicide, as he said, “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, f****n angry, confused and heart broken.” The Prodigy’s Twitter feed also posted the news of Flint’s death, saying, “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.”
Police had earlier confirmed that a 49-year-old man was found unresponsive at his house in Essex, England, on Monday morning. His next of kin have been informed and the death is not being treated as suspicious, the police statement added.
Flint’s distinctive appearance, vocals and dancing made him one of the most recognizable figures on the British electronic scene, with hits including “Firestarter” and “Breathe” propelling the group to commercial success throughout Europe and the United States. Known for his colorful double mohawk, tattoos and animated, erratic performances, Flint became a defining figure of the ’90s British music scene. He joined The Prodigy soon after its formation by Howlett in 1990, quickly helping the group cement its stature within Britain’s rave scene and pioneer the Big Beat genre of electronic music. The band’s fusion of techno, breakbeat and acid house sound and their subversive, anti-establishment lyrics brought them commercial success and critical acclaim.
The Prodigy’s second album, Music for the Jilted Generation, earned the group its first of seven UK No. 1 albums when it was released to positive reviews in 1994. Flint and his bandmates built on that success three years later, when The Fat of the Landwent platinum in both the U.S. and Britain, topping the charts in both countries. The band’s signature hit, “Firestarter,” was one of several landmark British songs honored at the opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London.
The Prodigy’s last album, No Tourists, was released in November 2018, and the group had recently announced a 2019 tour of festivals in Europe and South America.
