Music and motorbikes mark UK funeral of Prodigy frontman Keith Flint

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Dance music played out for the hundreds of fans who flocked to the town of Braintree in eastern England on Friday for the funeral of Keith Flint, former frontman of the Prodigy.

Face painting and free tattoos were on offer to those who had come to pay their respects to the “Firestarter” star.

Flint, a figurehead of the 1990s rave movement, was found dead at his home earlier this month aged 49.

An inquest which opened this month confirmed he had died as the result of hanging. It has been adjourned until July 23 for a full hearing.

Fans gather for the funeral of British singer Keith Flint of techno group The Prodigy in Braintree, Essex, Britain, March 29, 2019. /Reuters Photo

Renowned for his facial piercings, heavy makeup and eccentric devil-horned hair cut, Flint played a major role in establishing the credibility of dance and electronic music.

The funeral procession followed a 2.5-mile path to St. Mary's Church and while the church service itself was reserved for friends and family, Flint's bandmates had invited fans to line the route to “raise the roof for Keef!”

Steve Hales was among those who heeded the call.

With dark makeup and a single strip of green hair reminiscent of Flint's style, Hales said the amount of support for him was hardly surprising.

“His was music for generations,” he began, before being drowned out by motorbikes roaring up and down the streets.

Fans gather for the funeral of Keith Flint in Braintree, Essex, Britain, March 29, 2019. /Reuters Photo

The horse-drawn hearse was decorated by vibrant orange flowers spelling “Keef” and “Chief,” while his infamous fluorescent green microphone and an elegant arrangement of white and red roses adorned the coffin.

Actor Paul Kaye delivered the eulogy, recalling tales from Flint's years on the road and his love for motorbikes, animals and jujitsu, to name but a few of his passions.

“You liked to live your life on the razor's edge for the buzz,” Kaye said on behalf of bandmate Liam Howlett. “You were an anti-star, a pirate and committed to our cause of shaking people's souls and buildings.”

(Top image: Fans gather for the funeral of British singer Keith Flint of techno group The Prodigy in Braintree, Essex, Britain, March 29, 2019. /Reuters Photo)

Source(s): Reuters