The music world is mourning the loss of Sam Rivers, the longtime bassist and founding member of the iconic nu-metal band Limp Bizkit. Rivers’ death was announced by the band on Saturday. He was 48 years old. No cause of death has been released at this time.
In a heartfelt statement shared on Instagram, Limp Bizkit paid tribute to their beloved bandmate, writing:
“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.”
Rivers co-founded Limp Bizkit in the mid-1990s alongside vocalist Fred Durst and drummer John Otto, helping shape the band’s signature sound that defined an era of late-’90s and early-2000s rock. Known for his distinctive bass grooves and creative musicianship, Rivers played a crucial role in crafting some of the band’s biggest hits, including “Nookie,” “Rollin’,” “My Way,” and “My Generation.”
Fans and fellow musicians have flooded social media with tributes, remembering Rivers not only for his musical influence but also for his quiet strength and genuine heart.
Sam Rivers’ legacy will live on through the timeless music he helped create the sound that powered a generation of fans and continues to inspire artists today.
