Sam Rivers, the bassist and backing vocalist of the American nu-metal band Limp Bizkit, has passed away at the age of 48, the group confirmed in a heartfelt announcement.
In a social media post, Limp Bizkit described Rivers as the band’s “heartbeat,” though they did not share details about the location or cause of his death. “Today we lost our brother. Our bandmate. Our heartbeat,” the band wrote.
“Sam Rivers wasn’t just our bass player, he was pure magic. The pulse beneath every song, the calm in the chaos, the soul in the sound.
From the first note we ever played together, Sam brought a light and a rhythm that could never be replaced. His talent was effortless, his presence unforgettable, his heart enormous.”
Frontman and lead vocalist Fred Durst shared an emotional video on Sunday morning, recalling the first time he met Rivers at a club in Jacksonville Beach, Florida.
He reflected on their journey from humble beginnings to worldwide fame, performing across the globe. Durst admitted that he has shed “gallons and gallons of tears since yesterday.”
“He really did have an impact on the world and his music and his gift is the one that’s going to keep on giving,” Durst said. “I just love him so much.”
Rivers, who had previously opened up about his struggles with alcohol and liver disease, left the band in 2015 to undergo treatment and later received a liver transplant. He rejoined Limp Bizkit three years later after recovering.
Durst spoke warmly about their shared love of grunge music, citing bands like Mother Love Bone, Alice in Chains, and Stone Temple Pilots as inspirations.
“He had this kind of ability to pull this beautiful sadness out of the bass that I’d never heard,” Durst said, calling Rivers “so talented I can’t explain.”
Limp Bizkit, formed in Jacksonville in 1994, became one of the defining acts of late 1990s nu-metal, fusing elements of metal, hip-hop, and punk.
The band achieved massive mainstream success with their albums Significant Other (1999) and Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water (2000), both of which topped the U.S. charts.
Their signature humor and irreverence have long been part of their identity, reflected in the quirky title of their 2000 album and their recent single, Making Love to Morgan Wallen, released last month.
Rivers was among the original members of the group, alongside vocalist Fred Durst, drummer John Otto, guitarist Wes Borland, and turntablist DJ Lethal.
“Rest easy, brother. Your music never ends,” the band wrote in their Instagram tribute. DJ Lethal expressed his grief in a comment beneath the post, writing, “We are in shock. Rest in power my brother!
You will live on through your music and the lives you helped save with your music, charity work and friendships. We are heartbroken, enjoy every millisecond of life. It’s not guaranteed.”
Despite the tragic loss, Limp Bizkit is still set to begin their upcoming tour across Central and South America, kicking off in Mexico City in late November.