The Prodigy’s Keith Flint took own life, say “angry, confused and heartbroken” bandmates

“A true pioneer, innovator and legend”

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.”

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.

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…”

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.

Prodigy new album
The Prodigy’s Keith Flint

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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