History of Fred Durst in Timeline
William Frederick Durst is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and director best known as the frontman and lyricist of the nu metal band Limp Bizkit. Formed in 1994, the band has released six studio albums with Durst at the helm.
August 20, 1970: Birth of Fred Durst
On August 20, 1970, Fred Durst was born as Frederick Allen Mayne III.
June 3, 1990: Birth of Daughter Adriana Durst
Durst's daughter, Adriana, was born on June 3, 1990.
1990: Leaving the Navy and Returning to Jacksonville
After serving in the Navy from 1988 to 1990, Fred Durst returned to Jacksonville.
1993: Divorce from Rachel Tergesen
Durst's marriage to Rachel Tergesen ended in divorce in 1993, following a domestic dispute that resulted in Durst's arrest for disorderly conduct.
1994: Formation of Limp Bizkit
In 1994, Fred Durst formed the nu metal band Limp Bizkit.
1994: Limp Bizkit's Early Days and Growing Following
In 1994, Limp Bizkit, with its unique blend of rock and hip-hop, began to gain a following in the underground music scene.
October 23, 1997: Meeting Staind and Signing them to Flip/Elektra
On October 23, 1997, Fred Durst met the band Staind and was so impressed that he signed them to Flip/Elektra Records.
December 1998: Durst Instigates Feud with Placebo
A feud between Limp Bizkit and Placebo ignited in December 1998 at an Irving Plaza show hosted by Fred Durst, where he incited the audience to chant against Placebo.
1998: Durst Befriends and Supports Taproot
In 1998, Fred Durst befriended the up-and-coming band Taproot after hearing their demo. He championed them, inviting them to events and concerts.
June 1999: Appointment as Senior Vice President of A&R at Interscope
In June 1999, Fred Durst became Senior Vice President of A&R at Interscope Records.
July 13, 1999: Arrest for Assault
On July 13, 1999, Durst was arrested for kicking a security guard in the head during a performance. He was released on bail and later fined.
1999: Start of Feud with Slipknot
Durst's feud with Slipknot began in 1999, allegedly stemming from Durst's derogatory comments about Slipknot fans. This escalated with Slipknot's vocalist, Corey Taylor, publicly criticizing Durst.
1999: Durst Reignites Feud with Placebo
Fred Durst continued his feud with Placebo at K-Rock's Dysfunctional Family Picnic in 1999, encouraging the crowd to chant against the band.
1999: Durst's Falling Out with Taproot
In 1999, Durst's relationship with Taproot soured when they signed with Atlantic Records instead of Interscope, leading to a bitter falling out.
1999: Controversial Performance at Woodstock '99
In 1999, Limp Bizkit's performance at Woodstock '99 was marred by violence and chaos in the crowd.
1999: Marilyn Manson Insults Limp Bizkit and Fans
In 1999, Marilyn Manson publicly insulted Limp Bizkit and their fanbase, characterizing the band's music as "tuneless testosterone anthems of misogyny."
February 2000: Public Feud with Slipknot's Corey Taylor
Durst's feud with Slipknot vocalist Corey Taylor escalated in February 2000 when Taylor mocked Durst's artistic abilities in an interview. This followed a series of events including Taylor burning magazines featuring Korn's drummer and making comments about Limp Bizkit fans.
June 2000: Durst Criticizes Scott Stapp at WXRK Picnic
During Limp Bizkit's performance at the WXRK Dysfunctional Family Picnic in June 2000, Fred Durst launched into a verbal attack on Creed's lead singer, Scott Stapp, labeling him an "egomaniac."
June 2000: Limp Bizkit's Tour Sponsored by Napster
In June 2000, Limp Bizkit's tour was sponsored by Napster, the controversial file-sharing service, with Fred Durst being a vocal supporter of file sharing.
October 2000: Attempt to Reconcile with Slipknot
In an October 2000 interview, Durst expressed admiration for Slipknot's music and a desire to end the feud. However, Taylor, while acknowledging Durst's business acumen, continued to criticize his artistry.
2000: Reznor and Manson Criticize Durst and Limp Bizkit
In a 2000 interview, Trent Reznor and Marilyn Manson took aim at Fred Durst and Limp Bizkit, with Reznor stating that he shouldn't have to say that the band is bad.
2000: Limp Bizkit's Mainstream Success
Limp Bizkit, fronted by Fred Durst, achieved mainstream success with their albums "Significant Other" (1999) and "Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water" (2000).
2000: Puddle of Mudd Signs Record Deal with Durst's Help
Puddle of Mudd secured a record deal in 2000 with the help of Fred Durst.
August 30, 2001: Birth of Son Dallas Durst
On August 30, 2001, Durst's son, Dallas, was born to Durst and his ex-girlfriend, actress Jennifer Thayer.
2001: Tragedy at Big Day Out Festival
During Limp Bizkit's 2001 Australian tour at the Big Day Out festival, a fan died during their performance, leading to controversy and scrutiny of Durst's on-stage behavior.
2001: Feud Continues at Big Day Out
The feud between Limp Bizkit and Placebo resurfaced at the Big Day Out festival in 2001.
November 2002: Justin Timberlake Releases "Cry Me a River"
In November 2002, Justin Timberlake released the song "Cry Me a River," allegedly aimed at Britney Spears, in response to rumors of her relationship with Fred Durst.
2002: Working with Britney Spears
In 2002, Fred Durst was involved in writing songs for Britney Spears, later claiming a relationship with her, which Spears denied.
January 2003: Durst Claims Relationship with Britney Spears
In January 2003, Fred Durst publicly claimed that he and Britney Spears were romantically involved, stemming from their collaborations on songs intended for her album.
February 18, 2003: Durst Leaks "Just Drop Dead"
Angered by Britney Spears' denial of their alleged affair, Fred Durst leaked the song "Just Drop Dead" on February 18, 2003, via Limp Bizkit's website. The song contained a vulgar account of their alleged relationship.
May 2003: New Wave Side Project Pacifica
In May 2003, reports emerged of Fred Durst working on a new wave side project named Pacifica, but the project never released any music.
June 2003: Durst and Manson Appear on Rolling Stone Cover
Fred Durst and Marilyn Manson appeared to have reconciled as they were featured together on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine in June 2003, alongside James Hetfield and Ozzy Osbourne.
July 2003: Summer Sanitarium Tour Incident
In July 2003, during Limp Bizkit's performance at the Summer Sanitarium Tour in Chicago, Durst was met with hostility from the crowd, fueled by local radio personality Mancow Muller's encouragement to heckle the band. Durst was pelted with garbage and met with chants of "fuck Fred Durst", leading him to leave the stage after only six songs and throw his microphone down. This resulted in a breach of contract lawsuit from a Chicago lawyer.
2004: Limp Bizkit and Placebo Feud Ends
By 2004, the feud between Limp Bizkit and Placebo had reportedly come to an end.
2004: Wes Scantlin Criticizes Durst
In a 2004 interview with Chart magazine in Canada, Wes Scantlin of Puddle of Mudd criticized Fred Durst.
February 2005: Sex Tape Controversy and Lawsuit
In February 2005, a sex tape featuring Fred Durst was leaked online, leading to a $70 million lawsuit against the websites that hosted it.
May 2005: Release of The Unquestionable Truth (Part 1) and Greatest Hitz
Limp Bizkit, with Sammy Siegler on drums, released their album 'The Unquestionable Truth (Part 1)' in May 2005. Durst insisted on an underground release with no promotion, yet it still sold over 2 million copies. Despite the title, Durst confirmed no sequel was planned. Later that year, they released a 'Greatest Hitz' album.
October 25, 2006: Arrest for Battery, Assault, and Reckless Driving
Durst was involved in a hit-and-run incident on October 25, 2006, where he hit two individuals with his car in Los Angeles.
2006: Fred Durst's foray into Film
In 2006, Fred Durst began working on independent films.
2006: Acting Debut in Population 436
While Limp Bizkit was on hiatus, Durst ventured into acting, making his debut in the film 'Population 436' in 2006.
2007: Directorial Debut with "The Education of Charlie Banks"
Fred Durst made his directorial debut in 2007 with the film "The Education of Charlie Banks".
2007: Pleading No Contest to Misdemeanor Charges
In 2007, Durst pleaded no contest to seven misdemeanor charges related to a 2006 incident where he hit two people with his car. He received a suspended sentence, community service, and a fine.
April 22, 2008: Scantlin Retracts Criticism of Durst
On April 22, 2008, Wes Scantlin, during an interview with Artisan News Service, publicly retracted his previous negative comments about Fred Durst.
August 15, 2008: Manson Insults Limp Bizkit During Performance with Borland
On August 15, 2008, during a performance in Seoul, South Korea, Marilyn Manson, while introducing Wes Borland as his guitarist, made a derogatory remark about Limp Bizkit.
2008: Directorial Debut with The Education of Charlie Banks and Release of The Longshots
In 2008, Durst directed his second film, "The Longshots," starring Ice Cube and Keke Palmer, which received mixed reviews. He also made appearances as a bartender in the TV series "House, M.D."
2008: Release of "The Longshots"
In 2008, Fred Durst directed the film "The Longshots".
2009: Durst Explains Relationship with Spears
During a 2009 interview, Fred Durst addressed his past relationship with Britney Spears, suggesting that their association was considered taboo at the time.
2009: Marriage to Esther Nazarov
Durst married Esther Nazarov in 2009, but their marriage was short-lived, ending in divorce after three months.
2009: Reflecting on Britney Spears Association
In 2009, Fred Durst reflected on his association with Britney Spears, suggesting it was seen as taboo at the time.
2009: Limp Bizkit Reunion and Recording of Gold Cobra
The original members of Limp Bizkit reunited in 2009 and embarked on a tour. Durst announced they were also working on a new album, which would become 'Gold Cobra'.
2010: Positive Reference to Corey Taylor in "90.2.10" Lyrics
Durst included a positive shout-out to Corey Taylor in the lyrics of Limp Bizkit's song "90.2.10," released on their 2010 album "Gold Cobra."
June 28, 2011: Release of Gold Cobra
Limp Bizkit's album 'Gold Cobra', recorded after their reunion in 2009, was released on June 28, 2011. The album received mixed reviews but peaked at number 16 on the Billboard 200.
2011: Corey Taylor Reveals His Children Are Fans of Slipknot
In a 2011 interview, Corey Taylor mentioned that his children were fans of Slipknot, suggesting a potential thawing of the feud with Durst.
February 2012: Signing to Cash Money Records and Collaboration with Lil Wayne
Durst and Limp Bizkit signed with Lil Wayne's label, Cash Money Records, in February 2012. He also collaborated with Lil Wayne and Birdman on the song "Champions" by Kevin Rudolf.
2012: Marriage to Kseniya Beryazina
Durst married makeup artist Kseniya Beryazina in 2012.
2013: Durst Makes Derogatory Reference to Spears in "Ready to Go"
In 2013, Fred Durst made another derogatory reference towards Britney Spears in Limp Bizkit's song "Ready to Go."
2014: Eharmony Commercials
Durst directed three commercials for the dating website Eharmony in 2014.
2014: Limp Bizkit Performs at Knotfest Japan
Limp Bizkit was invited to perform at Slipknot's Knotfest in Japan in 2014, further indicating a more amicable relationship between the bands.
2015: Banned from Ukraine for Pro-Russian Statements and Actions
In 2015, Durst expressed interest in obtaining a Russian passport and praised Vladimir Putin. His actions, including alleged participation in pro-Russian propaganda during the Russo-Ukrainian War, led to him being banned from entering Ukraine for five years.
February 2018: Filming of The Fanatic
Durst began filming 'The Fanatic', starring John Travolta, in February 2018.
September 2018: Filing for Divorce from Kseniya Beryazina
Durst and his third wife, Kseniya Beryazina, filed for divorce in September 2018 after six years of marriage. The divorce was finalized in 2019.
2018: House Fire
Durst lost his house and most of his possessions in the 2018 California wildfires. His bandmate, Wes Borland, also lost equipment that was being stored at Durst's home.
2019: Divorce from Kseniya Beryazina Finalized
Durst's divorce from Kseniya Beryazina was finalized in 2019 after a year of separation.
2019: Release of "The Fanatic"
Fred Durst's latest film, "The Fanatic", was released in 2019.
2021: Limp Bizkit Pays Tribute to Joey Jordison
In 2021, following the passing of ex-Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison, Limp Bizkit honored him with a tribute during one of their shows.
2021: Borland and Reznor Condemn Manson
In 2021, in the wake of sexual abuse allegations against Manson, Wes Borland publicly condemned him, calling him a "bad dude." Trent Reznor echoed these sentiments, expressing support for the victims and denouncing Manson's alleged actions.
May 19, 2024: Limp Bizkit Brings Slipknot Members Onstage as Tribute to Joey Jordison
On May 19, 2024, at the Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival in Columbus, Ohio, Limp Bizkit paid tribute to the late Joey Jordison, former drummer of Slipknot, by bringing Slipknot turntablist Sid Wilson and a fan dressed as lead vocalist Corey Taylor on stage during their performance.
