One of the vital infamous moments in Limp Bizkit‘s already turbulent historical past befell on July 26, 2003, throughout the Summer season Sanitarium tour cease at Hawthorne Racetrack in Chicago, IL. Half an hour into their set, frontman Fred Durst walked off stage amid boos, flying bottles, and cash from a hostile crowd – particularly Metallica followers who could not look forward to the headliners.
In line with the Chicago Tribune, the animosity began early, with viewers members waving “Fred Sucks” banners and booing at any time when Limp Bizkit was talked about by earlier acts.
The Chicago Solar-Instances reported that Durst initially met the hostility with bravado: “Convey it on!” However the state of affairs shortly escalated. He reportedly referred to as followers “fucking pussies,” insulted their throwing abilities, and launched a profanity-laden, homophobic tirade.
It is value noting that at one level, Durst even pretended to be Kermit The Frog whereas antagonizing the gang.
Anders Smith Lindall of the Solar-Instances described the scene as a “self-destruct” second for Durst. In line with his report, the band carried out six songs earlier than leaving the stage. Durst continued his invective from the wings till he was faraway from the microphone. The gang’s anger compelled a 90-minute delay earlier than Metallica took the stage.
Media shops on the time famous that a part of the Chicago crowd’s hostility was fueled by radio persona Matthew Erich “Mancow” Muller‘s ongoing criticism of Durst within the days main as much as the live performance. Particularly that the man was telling folks to attend the present and throw shit at Limp Bizkit. Which wasn’t precisely cool.
Mancow elaborated on why he hated Durst a lot in a 2025 interview, saying partly: “Fred Durst was a report government, and he was a swimsuit. They did a analysis examine: children put on their hats backwards. What do younger males love to do? They like to interrupt stuff. BREAK STUFF! And it was all… I’m not kidding you — it was all faux. It was all report [labels], identical to the Monkees or another manufactured band.
“So it was engineered for indignant 15-year-olds, and it was faux. It wasn’t an actual factor. It wasn’t natural. The Offspring, of that very same ilk, had been actual — these had been actual guys. Limp Bizkit was a faux deal.”
Even worse, Limp Bizkit then confronted a category breach-of-contract lawsuit over the efficiency. Chicago lawyer Michael Younger filed the motion on behalf of 40,000 attendees, claiming the band incited an “rebellion” throughout the set.
In line with Younger, the group displayed “obscene and profane messages to the gang by way of 4 big screens,” shouted “disgusting homophobic and anti-gay statements,” and left the stage after solely 17 minutes of a scheduled 90-minute efficiency. Younger sought a $25 refund for every $75 ticket.
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