Thousands of fans lined the streets of Essex yesterday to celebrate and pay tribute to the late Prodigy frontman Keith Flint, who died earlier this month.
Flint died earlier this month (March 4) at his Essex home, with an inquest later stating that he had taken his own life. He was 49.
“It is with deepest shock and sadness that we can confirm the death of our brother and best friend Keith Flint,” said surviving Prodigy members Liam Howlett and Maxim Reality in a statement after he died. “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.”
Thousands of fans gathered to pay their respects, with many playing dance music in Flint’s honour. A horse drawn hearse begun its journey down a 1.7 mile procession route at 3pm towards St Mary’s Church in Bocking.
A floral arrangement of the famous Prodigy ant logo could be seen at the back of the carriage and ‘Keef’, spelt out in bright orange flowers, appeared at the front.
You can see some images and footage from the procession below:
Liam raises a fist in tribute to those paying their respects #KeithFlint pic.twitter.com/Mcsp5yv8pf
— Mark Piper (@Rubystone911) March 29, 2019
The Retreat pub outside St Mary’s Church is blaring out Prodigy songs. #keithflint @BW_Times pic.twitter.com/86RUZE9JWt
— George Henry King (@GeorgeHenryKing) March 29, 2019
#RIPKeithFlint pic.twitter.com/HdZ9x7FBN4
— NME (@NME) March 29, 2019
BBC Essex "? Dance music plays out across the crowds of #Prodigy fans gathering outside St Mary's Church in Bocking near Braintree.
They've come to honour frontman #KeithFlint whose funeral will take place at 4pm following a street procession which… pic.twitter.com/QEQbF1uqYh"
— Total Essex (@TotalEssex) March 29, 2019
Fans line streets for funeral of Prodigy star Keith Flint https://t.co/wSowzikLR2 pic.twitter.com/ufeCeO3WBn
— Independent.ie (@Independent_ie) March 29, 2019
Braintree raising the roof for Keef.
Rest in Noise#prodigy #KeithFlint pic.twitter.com/RIuJ9N4SKa
— Neil Brooks (@hatterneil) March 29, 2019
Keith Flint’s fans always said that his funeral would be a celebration, and this guy is the very proof of that ????. pic.twitter.com/YfOJTgIXUP
— NME (@NME) March 29, 2019
In Braintree for the send off/celebration for the legend #KeithFlint sad sad day but incredible crowd gathering. #prodigy 4 ever pic.twitter.com/bDpvvIlFG3
— Samantha Seager (@SamanthaSeager1) March 29, 2019
Sharing this lovely floral tribute to Keith Flint on the day of his funeral #celebrantsrock #givingpeoplechoice pic.twitter.com/XCsdKw4vZ5
— KarenDPhillips (@mrspcelebrant) March 29, 2019
#KeithFlint pic.twitter.com/phF9TU80ZS
— Mark Piper (@Rubystone911) March 29, 2019
WATCH: Crowds at Keith Flint's funeral in #Essex broke into a rendition of @the_prodigy's 'Out of Space' as they waited for his hearse to arrive at the church.#KeithFlint pic.twitter.com/yoiF37CZqo
— ITV News Anglia (@itvanglia) March 29, 2019
Keith’s coffin arrived at St Mary’s Church just before 4:30pm, accompanied by his bandmates who walked behind. Liam could be seen carrying Keith’s belt over his shoulder as fans cheered and applauded in tribute.
The Order of Service was shared with fans outside the church where the service was also played via loudspeaker. Keith’s eulogy was read by Paul Kaye alongside a number of poems from Flint’s friends and family; the Prodigy’s drummer Leo Crabtree wrote and read his own poem at the service.
Beginning the service, the Reverend Rod Reid said: “The fact we are here today for his funeral is surreal. But we can celebrate his life and raise the roof.”
He added: “What a way to start things off. A packed church and so many fans outside. Thank you so much, each and every one of you.
“This service…full of music, will show Keith’s public persona, the energy and the fire that went with that, and the gentle soul, that those who were close to him saw much more of.”
The processional music at the service was System of a Down’s ‘Aerials’; other songs played in tribute included Pink Floyd’s ‘Wish You Were Here’, Van Morrison’s ‘Days Like These’ and ‘That’s Entertainment’ by The Jam. The recessional music was The Specials ‘A Message To You, Rudy.’
For help and advice on mental health:
- ‘Am I depressed?‘ – Help and advice on mental health and what to do next
- Help Musicians UK – Around the clock mental health support and advice for musicians
- Music Support Org – Help and support for musicians struggling with alcoholism, addiction, or mental health issues
- YOUNG MINDS – The voice for young people’s health and wellbeing
- CALM – The Campaign Against Living Miserably for young men
- Time To Change – Let’s end mental health discrimination
- The Samaritans – Confidential support 24 hours a day