Sam Rivers, the talented bassist for the iconic rock band Limp Bizkit, has tragically passed away at the age of 48. The devastating news was confirmed by the band on their social media platforms, where they expressed their sorrow with a heartfelt message: "Today we lost our brother. 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." Limp Bizkit further described him as "a once-in-a-lifetime kind of human" and a "true legend of legends," stating that his spirit will continue to resonate in every groove, every stage, and every cherished memory.
Details surrounding Rivers' death have not been disclosed by the band. However, his last social media post, shared just a day before his passing, featured a "Save The Date" announcement for Limp Bizkit's upcoming performance at the Rock for People festival in Hradec Králové, Czech Republic, scheduled for June 2026. Rivers and his bandmates recently performed at the Leeds Festival in the United Kingdom in August, showcasing their enduring presence in the music scene.
Sam Rivers had previously left Limp Bizkit in 2015 due to severe health issues stemming from liver disease, which he attributed to excessive drinking. In an interview with Variety, Rivers candidly shared, "I got liver disease from excessive drinking… I had to leave Limp Bizkit in 2015 because I felt so horrible." He went on to explain how he made significant lifestyle changes after recognizing the severity of his condition, stating, "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." His comeback to the band in 2018 was a testament to his resilience and passion for music.
Limp Bizkit, a nu-metal band that rose to fame in the late '90s, has been nominated for three Grammy Awards and has produced numerous hits, including "Rollin'" and "Nookie," both of which achieved significant success on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. Fred Durst, the band’s frontman and a close friend of Rivers, reminisced about the first time he heard Rivers perform at a bar in Jacksonville, Florida. Durst recalled, "I saw Sam play and I was blown away... He was so smooth and good and he stood out." His admiration for Rivers grew as he approached him after the performance to discuss forming a band, with Rivers enthusiastically responding, "Killer. I'm in. Let's do it."
In a poignant reflection on Rivers' legacy, Durst added, "I've gone through gallons and gallons of tears since yesterday... I'm thinking, 'My God, Sam's a legend... he did it. He lived it.'" Limp Bizkit’s latest single, Making Love to Morgan Wallen, has recently topped several Billboard charts, further solidifying the band’s impact in the rock music industry.
