Keef Storm

Glasgow rave pioneer and leader of Desert Storm Soundsystem. HE was a mixed-race Celtic fan credited with founding the rave movement in Glasgow during the early 1990s. Keith Robinson was a leading member of the Desert Storm Soundsystem – a group of larger than life characters who organised free (and usually illegal) parties across the UK and Europe. Affectionately known as 'Keef', he led the charge as Desert Storm famously brought their beats to Bosnia as humanitarian relief during the Balkans conflict. At one party the front-line was a mere 10km away - they were asked to turn off their lights in case they attracted enemy fire. The group eventually becoming a significant pillar of the Teknival movement. After decades of championing the resistance against night-time curfews, a heavy-hearted post appeared on Desert Storm’s Facebook page announcing Keith’s death. The 48-year-old was said to have died taking his own life in the River Thames on September 18 last year. Desert Storm posted: “Tragically Keith Robinson ended his extraordinary and wonderful life in the River Thames on the afternoon of Sunday 18th September, apparently by choice. “His loving family needs time and space to grieve and come to terms with such a terrible and unexpected event. “They ask his many friends to share their sorrow and be patient for news until the circumstances have been better understood. The full account and funeral arrangements will be posted here as soon as possible. X” An inquest into his death will be held today at Poplar Coroner’s Court in London. Life of 'Keef' Albeit under a cloud of grief, Desert Storm celebrate 25 official years together this year. Their first rave – and Glasgow’s first illegal rave – is said to have taken place around 1991 in a disused warehouse near the docks. They said the event “was a great success with hundreds of people enjoying music late into the morning hours”. People were charged for entry, but “after some major trouble with local gangsters trying to control the door”, future events were made free. Followers will remember their continued defiance of the Conservative government’s legislative crackdown on raves, free parties and festivals throughout that decade. Acid house parties became the target of political repression in the early 90s, often taking residence in venues far away from residential areas such as squatted warehouses, empty military bases, beaches, forests or fields. This culminated in the 1994 the Criminal Justice Bill which outlawed such events, giving police new powers to stop them and seize equipment. The sound system delivered the soundtrack to a massive protest in London’s Trafalgar Square, which saw 10,000 people attend. During this event Desert Storm were approached by a member of Workers Aid for Bosnia, who asked if they would host a New Year’s Eve “morale boosting gig” in the war zone. Putting their own lives at risk they agreed, and set off that December with five aid convoy trucks, actually crossing the frontline as they travelled to Tuzla. The eventually arrived safely. During the gig itself, local police allowed the music to continue provided the lights were turned off, with soldiers dancing alongside local until the small hours. In a documentary tracking a journey to Sarajevo, Robinson said: “We don’t think that music is a luxury. We think it’s an essential. Yet it’s always one of the first casualties of war.” After Keith’s death, heartbroken tributes poured in for the resilient raver.