Frontman Fred Durst has shared a heartfelt and stripped‑back tribute performance of “Changes”, the classic 1972 ballad by Black Sabbath — honouring the late Ozzy Osbourne following his passing. The emotional cover was posted on Durst’s social media with a simple caption reading “OZZY,” framed by bat and black heart emojis, underscoring the tribute’s sincere tone.
The performance features Durst accompanied by guitarist Mike Waldron and cellist Telalit Charsky, delivering a gentle, stripped‑down rendition that stands in contrast to the heavier sound of the original or typical Limp Bizkit performances. Although it’s a simple setup, the stripped‑back arrangement highlights the emotional core of Black Sabbath’s timeless ballad.
It appears the video originated from the Back To The Beginning farewell event honoring Black Sabbath and Ozzy — a celebratory concert held last year that included performances of Sabbath classics by a range of artists. While Durst had been announced as part of the event, he did not perform live at Villa Park that day; nonetheless, this clip was used during the livestream and has since been shared in full.
“Changes” itself is one of Black Sabbath’s most memorable departures from their usual heavy metal sound. Originally released on the band’s 1972 album Vol. 4, it’s a mournful ballad driven by piano and Mellotron, written by band members Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward. The song is widely regarded as one of the group’s most emotional compositions, and Ozzy himself described it as “heartbreaking” — a moment of vulnerability that stood out from their heavier catalog.
Durst’s tribute arrives in a period of significant reflection for the rock world. After Ozzy Osbourne’s death in 2025, the music community has been honouring his influence across genres, with tributes including covers, memorials, and celebrations of his work both with Black Sabbath and as a solo artist.
For example, Back To The Beginning featured artists covering Sabbath and Ozzy songs throughout the day, and other versions of “Changes” — including one by YUNGBLUD — became major talking points; YUNGBLUD’s take later won a Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance, and Ozzy himself had publicly praised it.
Durst’s cover also arrives ahead of Limp Bizkit’s return to the UK, where they are set to headline Download Festival in June 2026, giving fans a chance to see the band’s high‑energy nu‑metal sound once again live.
In sharing this simple yet poignant performance, Durst has contributed his own sincere note to the ongoing honours being paid to one of metal’s most influential figures. While Limp Bizkit’s legacy sits in a very different corner of rock than Black Sabbath’s, the connection underscores how deeply Ozzy’s work resonated across styles and generations.
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