Sam Rivers, the Founding Bassist of Limp Bizkit, Dies at 48
Limp Bizkit's founding bassist Sam Rivers has passed away at just 48 years old, leaving behind a legacy as the heartbeat of the band. According to the band's Instagram post, Rivers died on Saturday (October 18), with his cause of death unknown.
Rivers was a key member of Limp Bizkit since its formation in 1994, alongside vocalist Fred Durst and drummer John Otto. He was one-third of the original lineup, which also included guitarist Wes Borland and DJ Lethal joining in 1996. As a founding member, Rivers played a crucial role in shaping the band's unique sound and style, which catapulted them to Number One on the Billboard 200 with their sophomore album Significant Other in 1999.
The band members paid tribute to Rivers in an Instagram post titled "In Loving Memory of Our Brother, Sam Rivers," stating: "Today we lost our brother. Our bandmate. Our heartbeat." They added that Rivers was "pure magic" and that his passing has left a void that can never be replaced. "He was a once-in-a-lifetime kind of human. A true legend of legends. And his spirit will live on forever," the band wrote.
According to Billboard, Rivers performed with Limp Bizkit at Machaca Fest in Monterrey, Mexico, just last year (November 2024). The event marked one of the band's recent performances, and it is unclear if this was a farewell show for Rivers.
Rolling Stone notes that Rivers' passing has left the music world mourning the loss of a talented musician who brought "pure magic" to every song he played. As the band's bassist, Rivers was instrumental in creating the distinctive sound that defined Limp Bizkit's early success.
Limp Bizkit's legacy is marked by their energetic live performances and hits like "Rollin'" and "Nookie." With Rivers' passing, fans are left to remember his contributions to the band's music and his impact on the world of rock music. As the band members stated in their tribute post: "His spirit will live on forever."
In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, Limp Bizkit's management team confirmed that the cause of death is unknown at this time, but an investigation is underway.
As news of Rivers' passing spreads, fans and fellow musicians are taking to social media to pay tribute to his memory. "RIP Sam Rivers," wrote Wes Borland on Instagram. "You will be deeply missed."
This story was compiled from reports by The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard and Rolling Stone.
