Prodigy fans launch 'Firestarter for Number 1' campaign in memory of Keith Flint
"We need to raise awareness of mental health issues and suicide."
Last updated 6th Mar 2019
Fans of The Prodigy have launched a social media campaign to get ‘Firestarter’ to number one in memory of Keith Flint.
23 years after it first hit the UK chart summit in March 1996 and duly propelled Keith and The Prodigy to global fame/infamy, fans of the band are looking to replicate the chart-topping success.
Keith Flint was found dead at his home in Essex shortly after 8am on Monday morning (4th March). He was 49 years old.
In an Instagram post on Monday lunchtime, his Prodigy band mate of three decades, Liam Howlett, revealed Keith had taken his own life over the weekend.
Now, a Facebook events group called Get Firestarter to Number 1, which has almost 2,000 attendees, explains that getting ‘Firestarter’ to the top of the charts again would “raise awareness of mental health issues.”
The page reads: “Rest in peace to the fire starter. Let’s make sure the fire continues 🔥
“We need to raise awareness of mental health issues and suicide. Suicide is the biggest killer of men under 45 and that needs to change!!
“This is the best way to raise Keith's profile and bring his plight to the forefront of pop culture and mainstream.
“If you don't want to spend any money then place the song on repeat in a streaming platform such as Spotify or Deezer then mute it and leave it on. This will also count towards the charts.”
Prodigy fans are also using the #firestarter4number1 across social media to promote the campaign.
At the time of writing, ‘Firestarter’ has three entries on the Amazon live singles chart - #17, #33 and #49 – thanks to its appearance on ‘Their Law: The Singles’, as a single release and on ‘The Fat of the Land’ respectively. Fans are also reporting that ‘Firestarter’ is currently number four on iTunes.
The Prodigy last night cancelled all their upcoming tour dates, writing: “Following the tragic death of Keith Flint all forthcoming Prodigy shows will be cancelled with immediate effect.”
Remember, if you need to talk, you can contact the Samaritans on 116 123 or CALM on 0800 58 58 58.