Limp Bizkit Confirms Death Of Bassist Sam Rivers

Limp Bizkit confirmed the death of bassist Sam Rivers. The co-founding member of the nu metal band was 48.

Limp Bizkit posted a message on social media that was captioned “In Loving Memory of Our Brother, Sam Rivers.” The message was signed by Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst, guitarist Wes Borland, drummer John Otto and DJ Lethal.

The bandmates wrote:

Today we lost our brother.
Our bandmate.
Our heartbeat.

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.

We shared so many moments — wild ones, quiet ones, beautiful ones — and every one of them meant more because Sam was there.

He was a once-in-a-lifetime kind of human.
A true legend of legends.
And his spirit will live forever in every groove, every stage, every memory.

We love you, Sam.
We’ll carry you with us, always.

Rest easy, brother.
Your music never ends.

— Fred, Wes, John & DJ Lethal

Limp Bizkit emerged from Jacksonville, Florida in 1994 and released their debut album, Three Dollar Bill, Y’all. Rivers remained a member of the band from its inception through 2015 when he stepped aside due to liver disease that led to his receiving a liver transplant.

“I got liver disease from excessive drinking … I had to leave Limp Bizkit in 2015 because I felt so horrible, and a few months after that I realized I had to change everything because I had really bad liver disease,” Rivers revealed to Jon Wiederhorn, according to Variety. “I quit drinking and did everything the doctors told me. I got treatment for the alcohol and got a liver transplant, which was a perfect match.”

Rivers rejoined Limp Bizkit in 2018. His final performance with the band took place in August.

Durst posted a video message addressing Rivers’ death and described the first time he saw the bassist performing live.