In early March, the world lost English vocalist Keith Flint. His unexpected death sent shock waves through the music industry, and highlighted how dangerous feelings of depression and isolation can be for men who otherwise seem as though they are happy and content. Bandmate Liam Howlett said he was feeling shell-shocked, angry, confused and heartbroken in the wake of Keith’s death, and his feelings are undoubtedly shared by Keith’s family, friends and their entire fan base . Let’s look at the highlights of Keith’s career, and pay tribute to an artist taken before their time.
1. What is Keith Flint’s full name?
Keith’s full name is Keith Charles Flint.
2. Where was Keith Flint born?
Keith was born in Redbridge, London on the 17 September 1969 to Clive and Yvonne Flint.
3. Where did Keith Flint live?
Keith was originally raised in East London but shortly after his birth Keith’s family moved to Springfield,Essex.
4. What is Keith Flint’s net worth?
According to The Daily Star, Keith’s estimated worth was $15 million at the time of his death.
5. Was Keith Flint gay or bi-sexual?
As with many celebrities, there were many rumours about Keith Flint’s sexuality. Keith never addressed the rumours over whether he was gay or bisexual. He dated women
6. Was Keith Flint married?
Keith got married in 2006 to Mayumi Kai. Recounting the night they first met, Keith said “We were touring and she just walked into this room we were in, and you know how it is, I just couldn’t talk, I was overwhelmed”. The couple lived together in a country house in North End, Dunmow where they owned several dogs and road horses together. The country lifestyle suited them. “We like to take picnics and sandwiches, driving through the green lanes” said Keith. “My wife loves the house, the dogs, and the animals we have around us, the deer and the fox that comes and pokes his head through the hedge.”
However, reports say that Keith and Mayumi were separated at the time of his death. The farm house was put up for sale and Land Registry documents showed a property adjustment order was made on the house last March — entitling Mayumi to a share. Mayumi is believed to have been in Japan at the time of Keith’s death.
7. Who is Mayumi Kai and what does she do?
Mayumi Kai is a DJ and former model, who performed under the name DJ Gedo Super Mega Bitch.
8. Who else has Keith Flint dated prior to getting married?
Prior to getting married to Mayumi, Keith Flint had a girlfriend in Gail Porter, the famous television presenter. They parted ways in 2001.
9. Does Keith Flint have any kids?
Keith didn’t have any children at the time of his death.
10. What bands did Keith Flint perform with?
The Prodigy formed in the late 1980s, after Keith met DJ Liam Howlett at a local rave club in Braintree. Keith and Liam shared the same taste in music, and when Keith listened to one of Liam’s mixtapes he became inspired. Keith suggested that Liam start playing his own music during his sets while he and friend Leeroy Thornhill would dance on-stage. MC Maxim Reality joined the trio and they became the electric dance act The Prodigy. Later on in his career, Keith experimented with solo projects, like punk rock bands Flint and Clever Brains Fryin’.
11. What was The Prodigy’s first big hit?
The Prodigy’s first big hit was ‘Firestarter’, which appeared on the band’s third album ‘The Fat of the Land’. Just prior to the release of the album, Flint had moved from being a dancer to a vocalist and frontman. The video clip combines both of his talents, and debuts Flint’s punk look which he would eventually become known for.
12. What were The Prodigy’s most famous songs?
The Prodigy’s most famous songs are undoubtedly ‘Firestarter’ and ‘Breathe’, both of which were UK No.1’s. Other notable tracks were the grimly ironic ‘Smack My Bitch Up’ (the video clip of which was banned from MTV), their 1992 track ‘Out of Space’, ‘Charly’ which was a Top 3 hit and 2009 banger ‘Omen’.
13. How many albums did the Prodigy make?
The Prodigy made 7 albums in total before Keith passed away:
Experience (1992)
Music for the Jilted Generation (1994)
The Fat of the Land (1997)
Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned (2004)
Invaders Must Die (2009)
The Day is My Enemy (2015)
No Tourists (2018)
14. What are Keith Flint’s most famous quotes?
Some of Keith’s best quotes highlight his passion for performing and how determined he was to just be himself despite the fame.
- “Each gig is an hour of madness, and afterwards I’m absolutely exhausted, shaken to bits. The adrenaline charge and energy needed are shattering”
- “I enjoy being able to express myself and the band is the perfect way of doing that”
- “I’d spent years expressing myself with my body and suddenly I had the chance to express myself with my voice”
- “Look, at the end of the day, we do what we do because it suits us. Don’t you think it’s kind-of cool to have a band that offends MTV, that puts out a video that real fans have to dig around for, or stay up late to see? The point is to be true to yourself otherwise you may as well give up”
15. What are Keith Flint’s best fashion moments and costumes?
Keith had an iconic sense of style. He rocked black eyeliner, acid washed denim, piercings, frequently coloured his hair and gave off an authentic punk vibe. He once said “When, and if, I get to 65, I’d like to say that I did everything – the lot…I’d like to think I’d been through every colour with my hair and everywhere that could have been pierced on my body and been pierced. Even if all my beloved tattoos have gone saggy by then, at least I can stand up and say, I did it.” Some of the touching tributes to the star showcased his best fashion moments.
16. What are Keith Flint’s most famous hairstyles?
Keith’s most memorable hairstyles were his punk mohawks and his multi-coloured ‘devil horns’.
17. What were Keith Flint’s tattoos of?
Keith had an extensive collection of piercings and tattoos. He was on record as saying that the large tattoo of the word ‘Inflicted’ across his stomach was one of the most painful experiences of his life. The tattoo itself was designed by band mate Liam Howlett.
18. Did Keith Flint have a drug addiction?
At the start of Keith’s musical career, he didn’t show much interest in doing drugs despite how common drug use is in the rave scene. “I did half a pill at Labyrinth (legendary East London venue) at our first proper gig and I thought my head was going to drop off. I realised I didn’t need a false rush when on stage – it was already there” said Keith in a 2015 interview for FHM.
It was only when The Prodigy hit a dry spell in the early 2000s that Keith started to regularly use drugs. “Yeah, it was a dark period,” he recalled. “I was drinking and taking too many drugs. The problem is, you’ve got s***loads of cash and s***loads of time and all you’re doing is looking for a buzz.” In a separate interview with The Times in 2009, Keith admitted that he used to “line up rows of pills and just take them and take them, and I’d lose track of how many until I passed out.”
After a long battle with drink, drugs and depression, Keith said it was his wife who “saved him”. He also liked to keep in shape, and was regular participant at his local Park Run in Chelmsford, Essex. On Saturday 2 March, just two days before he would be found dead in his home, Keith participated in his 3rd consecutive Park Run and ran his personal best of 21 minutes and 22 seconds.
19. Did Keith Flint like fox hunting?
Keith Flint was an animal lover all his life. A former classmate remembers him rescuing a sick hedgehog on the way home from school and trying to nurse it back to health. In ‘Prodigy Unauthorised‘, Keith’s former headmaster recalls that him feeding a rabbit that lived in the school playground. In 2016, Keith rode out on a local trail hunt in the company of other people who make up the hunting circle in Essex. Hacking group Anonymous blasted the vocalist for associating with hunters, and animal activists protested outside the pub Keith owned, the Leather Bottle. Keith addressed the claims in Facebook post, saying:
“In regards to a story going around about me right now – yes I live in Essex and have a couple of horses. I went riding with the local trail hunt, it was a ride out and NO ANIMALS WERE HUNTED OR KILLED, so my conscience is clear, it wasn’t my thing and I won’t be going again”
20. Did Keith Flint smoke?
Keith Flint was a smoker, and seemed to like to roll his own.
21. When & how did Keith Flint die?
Police and paramedics were called to Keith’s home at 8am on Monday 4 March 2019. Essex police remained outside his property for hours before the news broke that the star had died. Prodigy bandmate Liam Howlett later confirmed in an Instagram post that Keith had committed suicide. It has been speculated that Keith had fallen into depression and had turned to drugs in the wake of his marriage breaking down.
22. How old was Keith Flint when he passed away?
Keith was only 49 at the time of his death.
23. What will Keith Flint be remembered for?
Keith will be remembered for his unapologetic rejection of the establishment and his determination to remain non-conformist. His friends described him as a gentle soul gone before his time.
Keith’s sudden death at such a young age has shocked and deeply saddened those close to him, as well as his legions of his fans. If you are experiencing mental health issues you can always contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or BeyondBlue 1300 224 636.