Hey Music Mag - Issue 5 - April 2019

REMEMBERING THE
PRODIGY’S KEITH FLINT
Despite the impact of rave
and acid house culture in the
late ’80s and early ’90s, there
were few bands who came
out of that era and went on
to become hugely successful
recording artists. Next to
Orbital and The Chemical
Brothers, The Prodigy helped
establish dance music in the
wider public’s conscious.
Their raw energy, f*** you
attitude and thrilling mix of
drum machines and guitars
stood them apart right from
the off and converted millions
of young people and teenage
misfits onto dance music
with seminal albums like
Experience and Music for the
Jilted Generation.
Front man Keith Flint, with
his inverted green mohawk
and nose rings, was a dancer
with The Prodigy to start with,
but soon got involved in writing and singing.
He was, despite his mad and dangerous
look, a very kind and caring soul, according
to those who knew him best, and someone
who was still enjoying plenty of success,
having recently toured Australia.
With his band, Flint changed electronic
music and pop culture forever, but sadly he
took his own life, on 4 March, aged just 49.
His death stunned the music industry and
The Prodigy’s legions of fans. His bandmates
described him as “a true pioneer, innovator
and legend”, and added that he would
be “forever missed”.
In an interview with The Guardian in
2015, Flint described The Prodigy as
“dangerous and exciting” and claimed
that a similar attitude was missing
from today’s music scene. “That’s why
people are getting force-fed commercial,
generic records that are just safe, safe,
safe,” he added.
This unique character may now be
gone, but his legacy will live forever.
REDISCOVER: The Prodigy
Fat of the Land (XL)
Keith Flint was an icon of the rave generation. He was initially a dancer with The Prodigy
who eventually got involved with writing on the hit single Firestarter in 1996. It’s a track
that still lights up any club, so there’s never been a better time to revisit the electrifying
album it came from.
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