Keith Flint, 1969-2019: the twisted face of rave, the beating heart of The Prodigy

Keith Flint, 1969-2019: the twisted face of rave, the beating heart of The Prodigy

Di Bennett, who worked behind the bar at Flint’s Leather Bottle pub near Chelmsford, described him as “the life and soul of the place.” “His hairdresser would dye his hair there for gigs,” she said. “That used to crack the regulars up. Or he’d ride one of his horses – his favourite was called Blackie – down to the pub for a drink.”

She added that he was “generous to a fault” and recalled occasions where he had held parties with locals or paid for his customers’ dinners. “When he wanted to, he certainly knew how to party,” she said. “But when he was scheduled to go on tour, he’d give up all the drinking and go running and working out with his personal trainer. He was very disciplined when he needed to be.”

“No one has a bad word to say about him. He’ll be terribly missed around here.”

Flint was reportedly trying to sell his Essex farmhouse at the time of his death, with estate agents Anderson’s posting details of the property last week (March 1). It was listed for “offers in excess of £1,500,000” and described as a “late 14th century Grade II listed four bedroom detached house.” The listing has since been removed.

Numerous tributes have been paid to Flint since the news of his death, including from Glastonbury organiser Emily Eavis, who revealed The Prodigy had been booked to play at the upcoming festival.

“We are so saddened to hear about the passing of Keith Flint,” Eavis wrote on social media. “He’s played here so many times with the Prodigy and was booked for 2019. What an incredible frontman.”