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Keith Flint of The Prodigy, icon of the Firestarter video, dies at 49

Keith Flint of The Prodigy, icon of the Firestarter video, dies at 49

Promonews - 4th Mar 2019

The death has been announced of Keith Flint, singer of The Prodigy. A member of the dance outfit since the early 90s, firstly as a dancer, his contribution became far more significant with the band's iconic Firestarter music video, which caused a sensation when it was released in 1996. 

Assuming the "Firestarter" character in the video directed by Walter Stern, Flint unveiled a new punk rock-inspired look, and gave such a pugnacious, cartoonish performance that it led to the video becoming huge talking point and sparked thousands of TV viewer complaints. 

The single went to No. 1 in the UK, and went gold in the US. Firestarter was the lead-off single to The Prodigy's third album Fat Of The Land that would sell 10 million copies and make them the biggest dance act in the world.  

Ironically, Walter Stern's video for Firestarter, was a quick replacement for a video that had been made for the track, but rejected by the band and label. It was shot in a tunnel outside the disused Aldywch underground station in London in early 1996. Later that year, Stern would direct the band's follow-up video for Breathe, with Flint in equally threatening form. 

Flint's new persona, echoing the Sex Pistols' Johnny Rotten, was instantly iconic, and became the template for his larger-than-life role in the band from that point on. The Prodigy announced today (March 4th) that he had passed away at his Essex home, paying tribute to "a true pioneer, innovator and legend. He will be forever missed."   

 

 

   

Promonews - 4th Mar 2019

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